The Internets are lighting up with news of Billy Preston, aka “The Fifth Beatle”, who died today as a result of kidney failure. Preston was a native Texan, born in Houston. Besides commemorating the passing of a great musician, what am I doing posting this on a blog about Austin? Keep up with me.

Preston played in one of Eric Clapton’s many backing bands along with Austinites Doyle Bramhall II and Jimmie Vaughan over the past six years or so. Preston also played on the recent Rick Rubin produced albums by Neil Diamond and Red Hot Chili Peppers, some of his last recorded work. And who’s produced most, if not all, of Slayer’s albums over the last 20 years? That’s right, children, Rick Rubin.

Photos courtesy of Flickr members, uncleboatshoes, poc67 and paranoide0. Crappy graphic courtesy of me.