The Wikipedia article about Billy Preston says, "Preston's 1973 'Do You Love Me' was the basis for the Stones' 'Melody' on their 1976 Black and Blue album."

Wikipedia is a bit of a joke, I know, but has anybody ever heard of this before? Is there any truth in this statement?

Actually, it was a riff Billy wrote with Mike Hunt of theBushmen.

I think there was "inspiration by Billy Preston" written on the "Black and blue" album cover.
It was rumoured that "Saint of me" was als o heavily inspired by Billy.

<I think there was "inspiration by Billy Preston" written on the "Black and blue" album cover.>

That was for "Melody".

It has also been said that the bass riff in Miss You was written by Preston.

Wikipedia is actually quite accurate with many of its posts. It has great medical information as well.
Preston, from numerous interviews with him states he wrote most of Miss You with Mick during rehearsals at the El Macombo.
Melody "inspired by Billy Preston" most likely as close to a song writing credit they would give a non member. And from interviews with Keith he was quite fed up with Billy hijacking the Stones sound.

And upon further thought it is probably why Keith isn't playing on Saint of Me! Billy.

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Pietro
The Wikipedia article about Billy Preston says, "Preston's 1973 'Do You Love Me' was the basis for the Stones' 'Melody' on their 1976 Black and Blue album."

Wikipedia is a bit of a joke, I know, but has anybody ever heard of this before? Is there any truth in this statement?

Wiki a bit of a joke?? Well, I'll take Wiki over Compton ANYDAY. Of course, I can't judge Worldbook E. because I grew uo with it.

melody, miss you and saint of me all reek of billy's influence....no reason to doubt billy's veracity....

- I´ve been a Stonemaniac for almost 40 years but I reckon the human beings behind the instruments and mics as we all are just very........ fallible.

And long gone are the times when I had anything but just the occasional curiosity about their private lives. OK, if you have them as Music idols for so long it´s natural we hope the best for, on, about, and caused by them. But I think it´s not wise to pass this step, specially if you ´re past 18 y.o.

But, even if I try to just to listen to their music the reflex of some things just reaches you sometimes. One thing that I always found just...... small, even stingy is that resistence by Jagger-Keith to give credit when it´s owed on a composition.
Bill, Ronnie, Billy, Taylor, even Brian suffered this.
I could even understand, although not justify, this, when they were very youing at the 60´s, with Brian. But after they found Prince Rupert and all and became really ultra-rich this bugs me a bit.

And watch this terrible thought: Maybe Taylor and the late Billy didn´t sue them only for the memory and love of the good times spent.Although a thought that they were put on the lights by the name Rolling Stones seems to be fair to me also.

The word unnecessary just flashes so much in my mind on this issue.

When Bill plays it live w/the Rhythm Kings he introduces it as a song written by Billy Preston.

Chris Miller stated in an interview that "Miss You" was a rare (very rare) instance in which Bill "took over" the sound when they were tracking. True, Billy Preston wrote the tune (or the core of it), but the bass line is Bill's.

Tommy

I've just stumbled across this clip and as it hasn't been posted yet (or at least I wasn't able to find it) I thought I share it here.



It really bears a strong resamblance to Melody

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whitem8
Preston, from numerous interviews with him states he wrote most of Miss You with Mick during rehearsals at the El Macombo.

There's no interview with Preston where he states that. There's one interview with Jagger where he states he wrote it at the El Mocambo with Preston on bass, and a statement by Wyman that he got the disco bass from Preston.

Mathijs

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From4tilLate
Chris Miller stated in an interview that "Miss You" was a rare (very rare) instance in which Bill "took over" the sound when they were tracking. True, Billy Preston wrote the tune (or the core of it), but the bass line is Bill's.

Tommy

who's Chris Miller?

Oh that definitely sounds like Melody!

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T&A
melody, miss you and saint of me all reek of billy's influence....no reason to doubt billy's veracity....

And those are 3 damn good songs, too.

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Glam Descendant
When Bill plays it live w/the Rhythm Kings he introduces it as a song written by Billy Preston.

Yes, I noticed that too. And I guess Bill knows.

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mike567
I've just stumbled across this clip and as it hasn't been posted yet (or at least I wasn't able to find it) I thought I share it here.



It really bears a strong resamblance to Melody

Inspiring!