Ringo, Paul Say Goodbye to ‘5th Beatle’ in Fantastic Video (George Martin 1926-2016)
In January, the brilliant Beatles producer George Martin turned 90 years old, but it would be his last celebration. The English record producer, composer, audio engineer, and musician, who was known as “the Fifth Beatle” for his extensive influence on the sound of the Beatles records, died peacefully at home Tuesday.
He is considered one of the greatest record producers of all time, with 53 number-one hit singles in the UK and US.
Ringo Starr created a beautiful 3-minute tribute reel (see below) with many of the artists and producers talking about Sir George, who was able to remain humble and self-deprecating even after being knighted by the Queen.
When Sir George Martin first heard The Beatles on a recording in 1962, he called the band “unpromising” and he thought their early original songs were simply not good enough. But he signed them to a contract after meeting their enthusiastic manager, Brian Epstein, and meeting the boys, who joked about his tie and were so convivial that Martin wanted to sign them on their wit, alone.
Their first #1 hit, the Lennon song “Please Please Me,” was significantly altered by Martin’s suggestion that they speed up what was initially a slow ballad, according to a Beatles biography. One of Paul McCartney’s favorite memories of Martin was the brilliant suggestion to add a string quartet to his acoustic song, Yesterday—a tune hit that went on to become the most recorded pop song in history, with versions by Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye and thousands more.
“I have so many wonderful memories of this great man that will be with me forever,” wrote Paul on Facebook. “He was a true gentleman and like a second father to me. He guided the career of The Beatles with such skill and good humor 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.”
https://www.facebook.com/ringostarrmusic/videos/10153519398042677/He is considered one of the greatest record producers of all time, with 53 number-one hit singles in the UK and US.
When Sir George Martin first heard The Beatles on a recording in 1962, he called the band “unpromising” and he thought their early original songs were simply not good enough. But he signed them to a contract after meeting their enthusiastic manager, Brian Epstein, and meeting the boys, who joked about his tie and were so convivial that Martin wanted to sign them on their wit, alone.
Their first #1 hit, the Lennon song “Please Please Me,” was significantly altered by Martin’s suggestion that they speed up what was initially a slow ballad, according to a Beatles biography. One of Paul McCartney’s favorite memories of Martin was the brilliant suggestion to add a string quartet to his acoustic song, Yesterday—a tune hit that went on to become the most recorded pop song in history, with versions by Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye and thousands more.
“I have so many wonderful memories of this great man that will be with me forever,” wrote Paul on Facebook. “He was a true gentleman and like a second father to me. He guided the career of The Beatles with such skill and good humor 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.”