Billy Preston, famous for working with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones passed away yesterday in a hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona, after being in a coma ever since November because of malignant hypertension and respiratory failure, according to the New York Times.

The African folk and gospel legend was suffering for a few years from kidney insufficiency and his condition continued to get worse, even with the kidney transplant he received in 2002. He also had serious problems related to drug and alcohol abuse that contributed to his decaying health.

William Everett Preston's legacy includes such collaborations as the one with The Beatles (for a while, he was known as 'The Fifth Beatle', a name he never discouraged), The Rolling Stones, Little Richard and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

In 1972 he won a Grammy award for his hit 'Outa-Space' and many of his singles went straight to No.1 immediately after being released: 'Will It Go Right in Circles' (1973), 'Nothing from Nothing' (1974) and, of course, 'Let It Be' that was filmed live on a rooftop and it was the last time that The Beatles appeared together as a band. Billy wrote songs for various artists, among them including the smashing hit 'You Are So Beautiful' performed by Joe Cocker.

Billy is survived by two sisters and thousands of grieving fans.