RIP George Martin, the Fifth Beatle*
I found out yesterday that George Martin, the man who, in 1962, stuck his neck out and gave four young upstarts from Liverpool a recording deal, passed away on Tuesday, aged 90. George Martin was more than just the Artists and Repertoire guy for Parlophone Records (a division of EMI), and more than merely the man who produced the Beatles. He recognized talent and gave it both the room and the environment in which to grow. In the process he ended up playing a key role in transforming popular music. Working with George Martin, the Beatles’ horizons were broadened, and the studio became their playground. From double-track vocals, to adding strings on “Yesterday,” to creating a fairground collage, to making John sound like he’s singing from the top of a mountain, Martin’s classical music training, technical know-how, and boundless creativity found a perfect marriage with the Beatles’ own sense of fun, adventure, and talent.
Of course, Martin’s work didn’t end with the Beatles. In the 60s he worked with artists like Gerry and The Pacemakers, Shirley Bassey, Cilla Black, and Ella Fitzgerald. Post-Beatles, he produced records for Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, America, Jeff Beck, Kenny Rogers, Cheap Trick, Ultravox, Elton John, and Celine Dion to name but a handful. He won Grammys, was knighted by the Queen, and was even inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. But it is his work with the Beatles for which he will best be remembered. And rightly so. Between the five of them, they made history.
As an example of his work, here’s the Beatles’ recording of “Penny Lane” which he not only produced, but also arranged.
In Memoriam.
*There are debates among Beatles fans as to who should properly be regarded as “The Fifth Beatle.” Some say it was Brian Epstein, some regard road manager Neil Aspinall as the fifth (and he’s a good contender). But Paul McCartney said it himself, and that’s good enough for me.
I listened to an NPR interview Martin gave in 1980. Very interesting how much his influence guided the Fab Four. A true gentlemen.
I always knew Martin was very important to the Beatles, but it didn’t really strike me quite how important, and how perfect they were for each other, until I read Mark Lewisohn’s mighty tome ALL THESE YEARS PART 1: TUNE IN. He talks about Martin’s background, and how he was always exploring new ways of doing things in the studio, and trying to get the best performances out of his acts. And yes, in interviews he was always the perfect gentleman. Interesting, and never petty or spiteful. Listening to him, you can understand why he was so well-liked and respected.
In those days the combination of classical (musical) training and technical know-how was very rare. George Martin ‘made’ the Beatles but usually stayed in the background.
It´s sad to see him go, but 90 is a respectable age for a great man.
Yes, Lisca, it was. And while classically-trained musicians may well have gone into A&R, few others (if any) had the same level of interest and enthusiasm for popular music and the artists that created it. If the Beatles had told any other producer, “No thanks, we want to record our own stuff,” they’d have been sent packing.
Ninety is a good innings, so not quite as shocking as some of the other celebrity deaths so far this year. But sad, nonetheless.
R.I.P. It’s sad to see so many great talents (and those finding/supporting them) leave… 🙁
It is sad, Lilac–inevitable at some point–but still sad. And George Martin was both a support to the talented, and a talented musician and producer. Indeed, some say he invented the job of “record producer.”