Obviously he was the man who earned the coveted “fifth Beatle” spot because he produced every major record of theirs but one. Although I don’t worship at the feet of the Beatles, I always respected George Martin, his production skill and musical choices helped make them the success they were. He also went on to produce many acts from my generation and tastes:
- Little River Band’s Time Exposure
- Ultravox’s Quartet
- Elvis Costello’s Kojak Variety
- Cheap Trick’s All Shook Up
- Paul McCartney’s Ram
- contributed to Badfinger and Kate Bush material
- Produced the soundtrack to Live and Let Die which gave McCartney & Wings a hit, same with Goldfinger for Shirley Bassey
George might not have been of the Rock n’ Roll generation yet he had a great ear and brain on how to make numerous artists sound better. Not every record I listed was necessarily a hit, especially the latter Eighties McCartney stuff (P-U!); they were at least quality attempts.
Outside of popular music, he did oversee the pretty cool Cirque du Soleil show Love which we’ve seen in Vegas. He also contributed to the Beatles edition of the Rock Band game, namely the studio outtakes you’ll hear when you screw up, then ask for a do over as I discovered when I restarted “Dear Prudence.”
Thanks for all the spectacular music and memories George! You left a huge mark on the Twentieth Century. Let’s hope you’re remembered alongside Mozart and Beethoven.