Grammy Winner Billy Preston; Wrote 'Nothing From Nothing'

Back in the United States, Mr. Preston also released the album "The Most Exciting Organ Ever" in 1965 and appeared on the ABC musical show "Shindig." The show led to work with Ray Charles and then the Beatles.

During this period, Mr. Preston enjoyed wide celebrity. He had a run of hits on his own and became known for his large Afro hairstyle and gap-toothed smile.

He also played as an accompanist with Bob Dylan ("Blood on the Tracks") and Aretha Franklin ("Young, Gifted and Black"). He toured with Sly and the Family Stone and the Rolling Stones, notably about the time of the latter group's albums "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile on Main St." He appeared as Sergeant Pepper in the Beatles tribute film "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (1978).

In 1980, he had a surprise sentimental hit with "With You I'm Born Again," sung with Stevie Wonder's ex-wife, Syretta Wright.

A few years later, Mr. Preston won a job leading the house band on David Brenner's late-night talk show "Nightlife." But when the show was canceled, Mr. Preston, who had long had drug and alcohol abuse problems, turned to freebasing and crack cocaine. "I wanted to keep the high that I felt onstage," he told People magazine. "After the crowds go home, you are left alone. Especially when you travel, there is no one there for you."

In 1998, he pleaded guilty in a $1 million insurance fraud scheme and agreed to testify against other defendants, including his former manager. At the time, he was in jail for violating probation on a cocaine possession conviction.

He remained on good terms with many former bandmates. He played with the Rolling Stones on the 1997 "Bridges to Babylon" album and toured often with Eric Clapton. His attempt to resurrect his career ended in 2001, when he was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.

He had a kidney transplant, but the kidney failed, and he had been in a coma since November.

Survivors include three sisters, Lettie Preston of Houston, and Rodena Preston Williams and Gwendolyn Gooden, both of Los Angeles.