The Beatles and the Rolling Stones’ careers were deeply intertwined. On top of them both being lauded English rock groups, they shared industry personnel and songs. There would be no Rolling Stones without the Beatles and the Rolling Stones bolstered the Fab Four’s efforts to integrate English-bred rock on the other side of the Atlantic. The groups shared much of their legacy with one another, but there is only one musician that hopped in the studio with them both. Find out who that is, below.
The Only Artist Who Has Recorded With Both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones
Nobody ever loved me like she does
Ooh, she does
Yeah, she does
And if somebody loved me like she do me
Ooh, she do me
Yes, she does
Videos by American Songwriter
The Beatles weren’t ones to expand their roster. They seldom recorded with other artists and tended to keep things within their ranks on the road. However, they did make space in the studio for one musician: Billy Preston.
Preston became a member of the elite group of people who have been coined “The Fifth Beatle” during the band’s Get Back sessions. Preston hopped on the keys while the Beatles created their penultimate album. It was a difficult time in the Beatles’ tenure. They were on the verge of breaking up and their relationships with one another were becoming stale. The addition of Preston helped to freshen up the band’s sound and gave them the energy to carry on for a little while longer.
Preston later lent his talents to the Rolling Stones. Preston’s work with the Stones was more involved than his time with the Beatles. He became an official member of the group for a time, playing on seminal albums like Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main St. Though he eventually parted ways with the band, his years with the rock outfit proved to be some of their best.
Preston’s resume included much more than his time with these two English rock legends. However, it is certainly a notable stop in his career trajectory. Clearly something about Preston’s sound drew the greats of the genre to him. Revisit a clip from the Beatles’ Get Back sessions, featuring Preston, below.
I’m in love for the first time
Don’t you know it’s gonna last?
It’s a love that lasts forever
It’s a love that has no past
(Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
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