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Beatles Producer Sir George Martin Passes Away At 90

British knight was former head of EMI's Parlophone Records and generally considered to be the "fifth Beatle."

The music industry has lost a legend. Sir George Martin has passed away at the age of 90.

The former head of EMI’s Parlophone Records recognized the potential within the Beatles, namely the vocal harmonies between John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

His work with the band led to 23 Number One hits in the US and 30 in the UK. He is credited with adding the engineering skills of Geoff Emerick to the trail-blazing team after Norman Smith, the Beatles’ original engineer, moved on as a producer.

Martin was knighted in 1996 (one year before Paul became Sir Paul) and inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame three years later, in 1999.

After leaving EMI in 1965, Martin opened AIR recording studios with locations in London and the Caribbean. The Rolling Stones, The Police and Stevie Wonder recorded with him during those years.

His extensive list of credits include an Academy Award nomination for his work on Hard Day’s Night. He also worked as a producer for Cheap Trick, America, Peter Gabriel, Jeff Beck, Kenny Rogers, Ella Fitzgerald, Neil Sedaka, Dire Straits, Sting, Meat Loaf, Carly Simon, Celine Dion and more.

The effects of Martin’s career have been felt in virtually every aspect of modern audio production. He will be missed.

For more reading material on this prince of the music industry, the following articles reference his career…
RE/P Files: An Interview With George Martin At A.I.R. Studio In London
Five Recording Innovations By The Beatles
An Interview With Legendary Engineer Geoff Emerick
The Untold Story Behind The Recording Of “Hey Jude” (Includes Video)
Tips & Techniques Learned From Beatles Recordings

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(Image courtesy of KEYSTONE USA/Rex Shutterstock) Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon receive a silver disc from George Martin in 1963

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