topic Re: George Martin, Beatles Producer, Rest In Peace in Community Chat

George Martin, Beatles Producer, Rest In Peace

Pearlee — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 18:37:36 GMT

George Martin died at age 90 yesterday. He was the genuis producer for the Beatles.

From Paul McCartney's website (I loved this):

"I’m so sad to hear the news of the passing of dear George Martin. I have so many wonderful memories of this great man that will be with me forever. He was a true gentleman and like a second father to me. He guided the career of The Beatles with such skill and good humour that he became a true friend to me and my family. If anyone earned the title of the fifth Beatle it was George. From the day that he gave The Beatles our first recording contract, to the last time I saw him, he was the most generous, intelligent and musical person I’ve ever had the pleasure to know.

It’s hard to choose favourite memories of my time with George, there are so many but one that comes to mind was the time I brought the song 'Yesterday’ to a recording session and the guys in the band suggested that I sang it solo and accompany myself on guitar. After I had done this George Martin said to me, "Paul I have an idea of putting a string quartet on the record". I said, “Oh no George, we are a rock and roll band and I don’t think it’s a good idea”. With the gentle bedside manner of a great producer he said to me, "Let us try it and if it doesn’t work we won’t use it and we’ll go with your solo version". I agreed to this and went round to his house the next day to work on the arrangement.

He took my chords that I showed him and spread the notes out across the piano, putting the cello in the low octave and the first violin in a high octave and gave me my first lesson in how strings were voiced for a quartet. When we recorded the string quartet at Abbey Road, it was so thrilling to know his idea was so correct that I went round telling people about it for weeks. His idea obviously worked because the song subsequently became one of the most recorded songs ever with versions by Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye and thousands more.

This is just one of the many memories I have of George who went on to help me with arrangements on 'Eleanor Rigby', 'Live and Let Die' and many other songs of mine.

I am proud to have known such a fine gentleman with such a keen sense of humour, who had the ability to poke fun at himself. Even when he was Knighted by the Queen there was never the slightest trace of snobbery about him.

My family and I, to whom he was a dear friend, will miss him greatly and send our love to his wife Judy and their kids Giles and Lucy, and the grandkids.

The world has lost a truly great man who left an indelible mark on my soul and the history of British music.

God bless you George and all who sail in you!

Paul"

Link to the news story from the BBC:

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35761464

Re: George Martin, Beatles Producer, Rest In Peace

hoosieroriginal — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 17:15:15 GMT

They called him "the fifth Beatle". I had no idea he was still alive, just assumed that he was gone since two of the Beatles are dead. So sorry to hear this - CBS This Morning used Beatle songs in between sets today- brought back a lot of good memories. RIP George Martin.

Re: George Martin, Beatles Producer, Rest In Peace

lainey1 — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 18:18:10 GMT

Sad news. I was shocked to see he was 90!

Re: George Martin, Beatles Producer, Rest In Peace

lulu2 — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 19:43:00 GMT

What a brilliant man.

I heard this morning he convinced Paul, Yesterday needed a string quartet. He was right.

Re: George Martin, Beatles Producer, Rest In Peace

Pearlee — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 19:44:11 GMT

@hoosieroriginal wrote:
They called him "the fifth Beatle". I had no idea he was still alive, just assumed that he was gone since two of the Beatles are dead. So sorry to hear this - CBS This Morning used Beatle songs in between sets today- brought back a lot of good memories. RIP George Martin.

@hoosieroriginal I wish I'd been watching that - I would have enjoyed it.

I woke up to this news on Foxnews, which accompanied the story by playing A Day In The Life.

Re: George Martin, Beatles Producer, Rest In Peace

lulu2 — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 19:47:41 GMT

@Pearlee wrote:

@hoosieroriginal I wish I'd been watching that - I would have enjoyed it.
I woke up to this news on Foxnews, which accompanied the story by playing A Day In The Life.

George Martin played piano on A Day in the Life.

Re: George Martin, Beatles Producer, Rest In Peace

SaRina — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 19:59:41 GMT

Producing the Beatles was a new experiencde for Sir George Martin as his career revolved around classical music, then producing British comedy records. His musical technicality and innovation was inextricably tied to the Beatles' success.

If anyone is interested in reading an excellent book about what went into writing and producing some of the Beatles' most popular songs, especially if you are a musician, or musical, or a Beatles-phile, I recommend "Here, There and Everywhere", by Geoff Emerick, the recording engineer for the Beatles. Of course, there is a lot written about Sir George in the book.

RIP Beatle #5.

Re: George Martin, Beatles Producer, Rest In Peace

Pearlee — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 20:09:41 GMT

@SaRina wrote:
Producing the Beatles was a new experiencde for Sir George Martin as his career revolved around classical music, then producing British comedy records. His musical technicality and innovation was inextricably tied to the Beatles' success.

If anyone is interested in reading an excellent book about what went into writing and producing some of the Beatles' most popular songs, especially if you are a musician, or musical, or a Beatles-phile, I recommend "Here, There and Everywhere", by Geoff Emerick, the recording engineer for the Beatles. Of course, there is a lot written about Sir George in the book.

RIP Beatle #5.

@SaRina I'm delighted that you mentioned that book. I've read many, many books on the Beatles over the years and that is, by far, my favorite one. It was so interesting and Emerick told many wonderful stories in it. I felt like I was actually at the Beatles' recording sessions with him. It's a terrific book which I also highly recommend to any Beatles fan.

I remember shortly after I read it I bought a paperback copy for my optician who was making eyeglasses for me and, as a Beatles fan himself, we always talked about them. To my shock and amazement, he stayed up til the wee hours of the morning reading the book in one sitting he liked it so much! I read it in less than I week because I thought it was so interesting, but not at one sitting!

Until I read that book, I never knew that Paul had gotten mugged (where was that, in Africa? Can't remember for sure now)!

Re: George Martin, Beatles Producer, Rest In Peace

SaRina — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 20:12:37 GMT

@Pearley, yes, he was robbed at knifepoint in Nigeria where he was making the Band on the Run album.

Re: George Martin, Beatles Producer, Rest In Peace

naturalfan — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 20:25:25 GMT

Kind of makes me wonder - if they had worked with another producer, would they have become the sensations they were/are? Maybe they would have been a moderately successful British band that faded away after a few years. But look where they ended up - famous throughout the entire world.

I am a huge Beatle fan and have read every biography/book ever written about them. I also enjoyed the Emerick book. I believe there is a new McCartney biography to be released in May.

Re: George Martin, Beatles Producer, Rest In Peace

Pearlee — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 20:48:35 GMT

@naturalfan wrote:
Kind of makes me wonder - if they had worked with another producer, would they have become the sensations they were/are?

@naturalfan I sincerely doubt it. Martin ran with the Beatles' creativity. When he saw how good they were, he gave them fairly free creative rein while still guiding them and improving what they came up with. He deserves a lot of credit. And with his classical background, he integrated the instrumentals into the music.

After I read the Emerick book, I immediately thought to myself, "all the planets lined up just perfectly to create this marvelous music." And that includes the genuis of Emerick who was just in his late teens when he started with the Beatles. He came up with all those odd sounds John wanted by being very creative himself. Yes, it was a ton of talent coming together from different people at just the right moment in time to create all the fabulous music the Beatles gave us that has lasted over half a century now and will continue to last through the ages of time.

Re: George Martin, Beatles Producer, Rest In Peace

Hooty — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 22:41:40 GMT

He was a very smart man, may he RIP, I loved the Beatles!

Re: George Martin, Beatles Producer, Rest In Peace

Jordan2 — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 23:29:03 GMT

@Pearlee wrote:
George Martin died at age 90 yesterday. He was the genuis producer for the Beatles.

From Paul McCartney's website (I loved this):

"I’m so sad to hear the news of the passing of dear George Martin. I have so many wonderful memories of this great man that will be with me forever. He was a true gentleman and like a second father to me. He guided the career of The Beatles with such skill and good humour that he became a true friend to me and my family. If anyone earned the title of the fifth Beatle it was George. From the day that he gave The Beatles our first recording contract, to the last time I saw him, he was the most generous, intelligent and musical person I’ve ever had the pleasure to know.

It’s hard to choose favourite memories of my time with George, there are so many but one that comes to mind was the time I brought the song 'Yesterday’ to a recording session and the guys in the band suggested that I sang it solo and accompany myself on guitar. After I had done this George Martin said to me, "Paul I have an idea of putting a string quartet on the record". I said, “Oh no George, we are a rock and roll band and I don’t think it’s a good idea”. With the gentle bedside manner of a great producer he said to me, "Let us try it and if it doesn’t work we won’t use it and we’ll go with your solo version". I agreed to this and went round to his house the next day to work on the arrangement.

He took my chords that I showed him and spread the notes out across the piano, putting the cello in the low octave and the first violin in a high octave and gave me my first lesson in how strings were voiced for a quartet. When we recorded the string quartet at Abbey Road, it was so thrilling to know his idea was so correct that I went round telling people about it for weeks. His idea obviously worked because the song subsequently became one of the most recorded songs ever with versions by Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye and thousands more.

This is just one of the many memories I have of George who went on to help me with arrangements on 'Eleanor Rigby', 'Live and Let Die' and many other songs of mine.

I am proud to have known such a fine gentleman with such a keen sense of humour, who had the ability to poke fun at himself. Even when he was Knighted by the Queen there was never the slightest trace of snobbery about him.

My family and I, to whom he was a dear friend, will miss him greatly and send our love to his wife Judy and their kids Giles and Lucy, and the grandkids.

The world has lost a truly great man who left an indelible mark on my soul and the history of British music.

God bless you George and all who sail in you!
Paul"

Link to the news story from the BBC:

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35761464

Thank you so much for posting this! The Beatles are my all time favorite group, I rather listen to their music than anyone elses'. There are times I will listen to all the CDs in order from start to finish. May George Martin RIP.

Re: George Martin, Beatles Producer, Rest In Peace

Pearlee — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 19:34:30 GMT

https://www.facebook.com/rockandrollhalloffame/videos/vb.21010144106/10153605676249107/?type=2&theater

Interview with George Martin at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (He was inducted into the RRHF)

@Jordan2 This is for you. His stories about A Day In The Life are wonderful!

BTW. the interviewer is the Beatles curator at the RRHF. I once was in Cleveland and heard him give a lecture about the Beatles there. That's how I know who he is on the video - I recognize him. The Beatles exhibit there would make you cry (it did me). I'd like to go again some day; I've read that they change rotate items in it because they have more than the space they have to show them.

Re: George Martin, Beatles Producer, Rest In Peace

Jordan2 — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 20:22:33 GMT

@Pearlee wrote:
https://www.facebook.com/rockandrollhalloffame/videos/vb.21010144106/10153605676249107/?type=2&theater

Interview with George Martin at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (He was inducted into the RRHF)

@Jordan2 This is for you. His stories about A Day In The Life are wonderful!

BTW. the interviewer is the Beatles curator at the RRHF. I once was in Cleveland and heard him give a lecture about the Beatles there. That's how I know who he is on the video - I recognize him. The Beatles exhibit there would make you cry (it did me). I'd like to go again some day; I've read that they change rotate items in it because they have more than the space they have to show them.

Thanks for the link, I'll read it when I get a chance. On American Idol Keith Urban mentioned George Matin's passing.

Re: George Martin, Beatles Producer, Rest In Peace

Pearlee — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 23:27:28 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
@Pearlee wrote:
https://www.facebook.com/rockandrollhalloffame/videos/vb.21010144106/10153605676249107/?type=2&theater

Interview with George Martin at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (He was inducted into the RRHF)

@Jordan2 This is for you. His stories about A Day In The Life are wonderful!

BTW. the interviewer is the Beatles curator at the RRHF. I once was in Cleveland and heard him give a lecture about the Beatles there. That's how I know who he is on the video - I recognize him. The Beatles exhibit there would make you cry (it did me). I'd like to go again some day; I've read that they change rotate items in it because they have more than the space they have to show them.
Thanks for the link, I'll read it when I get a chance. On American Idol Keith Urban mentioned George Matin's passing.

@Jordan2 There is nothing to read. It's a video of an interview with Geo. Martin, who is on the video and has great stories about the making of A Day In The Life. Make sure you have sound when you watch it.

Re: George Martin, Beatles Producer, Rest In Peace

Jordan2 — Sat, 12 Mar 2016 00:16:20 GMT

@Pearlee wrote:
@Jordan2 wrote:
@Pearlee wrote:
https://www.facebook.com/rockandrollhalloffame/videos/vb.21010144106/10153605676249107/?type=2&theater

Interview with George Martin at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (He was inducted into the RRHF)

@Jordan2 This is for you. His stories about A Day In The Life are wonderful!

BTW. the interviewer is the Beatles curator at the RRHF. I once was in Cleveland and heard him give a lecture about the Beatles there. That's how I know who he is on the video - I recognize him. The Beatles exhibit there would make you cry (it did me). I'd like to go again some day; I've read that they change rotate items in it because they have more than the space they have to show them.
Thanks for the link, I'll read it when I get a chance. On American Idol Keith Urban mentioned George Matin's passing.
@Jordan2 There is nothing to read. It's a video of an interview with Geo. Martin, who is on the video and has great stories about the making of A Day In The Life. Make sure you have sound when you watch it.

I'm sorry I just assumed it was an article. I watched it, it was very interesting. Sgt. Pepper is my favorite album and A Day In A Life is just a masterpiece! It seems George Martin let the "lads" be who they were. I just wanted to add in watching American Idol last night 3 contestants sang Beatle songs. These are kids whose parents may not have been born when The Beatles were around! It just shows the longevity of their music.

Re: George Martin, Beatles Producer, Rest In Peace

Burnsite — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 23:47:25 GMT

As an oboe player, Sir G Martin knew about the "cor anglaise"--"English horn," an alto oboe. He used the oboe in the background of the original version of "Penny Lane" (the more familiar is a trumpet) and "A Day in the Life." He used string quartets often to back up Paul McCartney's sweet voice, a perfect choice. Paul resisted at first.

He heard "Love, Love me Do," the Beatles first demo, and thought it sounded too sad, like Roy Orbison (an early Beatles hero) and suggested the harmonica to brighten it up.

He was brillant--not more brilliant but as brilliant as any of the four. It was he who pressured them to ditch Pete Best and with the group's approval, he hired Ringo Starr, who is a great percussionist who imo never really got his due but was also essential to the band.

Old Beatle geek here.

Re: George Martin, Beatles Producer, Rest In Peace

Pearlee — Sat, 12 Mar 2016 00:11:02 GMT

Old Beatle geek here.
It was he who pressured them to ditch Pete Best and with the group's approval, he hired Ringo Starr, who is a great percussionist who imo never really got his due but was also essential to the band.

I don't think that is exactly right @Burnsite. The Beatles knew Ringo from working in Germany and hearing him play in other bands. They knew him first, before meeting Geo. Martin.

Re: George Martin, Beatles Producer, Rest In Peace

Burnsite — Sat, 12 Mar 2016 00:26:22 GMT

Pearley, I read this in one of the obits--maybe the NY Times. Perhaps I misunderstood the sentence.