Billy Preston was perhaps the most unsung musical hero of his time. Born in Houston, Texas, in 1946, he arrived in Los Angeles with his family three years later. At just 5 years old, he was backing gospel legend Mahalia Jackson. By age 10, he was appearing with Ray Charles on film, and by age 15, he was touring with Little Richard in Hamburg, Germany, where he met Richard’s opening act — The Beatles. He would later perform and record with the biggest names in music, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and countless others. He generated his own unforgettable No. 1 hits, including “Outa-Space,” “Will It Go Round in Circles,” “Nothing from Nothing,” and “You Are So Beautiful” — and his first hit single in 1969, on The Beatles’ Apple Records, “That’s The Way God Planned It,” produced by his lifelong friend, George Harrison.

But Billy quietly held secrets that tormented him, affecting not only his well-being and relationships but also influencing his career choices. Interweaving these complicated aspects of his life with his extraordinary musical career, Emmy-winning director Paris Barclay’s Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It is a revealing and honest portrayal of a truly great musician.

(US / 2024 / Directed by Paris Barclay)
Unrated / 1 hr 45 mins