George Martin Biography

(English Record Producer and Composer Best Known for His Associations with the Rock Band 'The Beatles')

Birthday: January 3, 1926 (Capricorn)

Born In: Highbury, London, England

Plenty has been said about George Martin’s relationship with the Beatles, to which he dedicated his entire life. The ace record producer and composer, is often referred to as the ‘Fifth Beatle’, thanks to his involvement with the Beatles. All through his career, he not only served as the producer of the records but also as the spokesperson, who graciously answered any questions put forward about the band. This legendary producer also helped in shaping their elaborate productions and is regarded as one of the most versatile producers of the music industry. This Academy Award-nominated composer and founder was also the co-founder of the famous, AIR studios. The fact that he produced almost thirty Number 1 singles in the United Kingdom is testimony to his sheer brilliance. Several awards and honors were given to this genius and he was also the proud recipient of two Ivor Novello Awards and five Grammy's. In a prolific career spanning six decades, he worked in the music industry, the film industry, for television and also appeared in live performances. He also held several significant positions including the executive roles in media companies and has widely contributed to numerous charitable causes. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to music and to popular culture, he was bestowed an honorary Knighthood.
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Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In January

Also Known As: Sir George Henry Martin

Died At Age: 90

Composers Conductors

Height: 6'2" (188 cm), 6'2" Males

Died on: March 8, 2016

place of death: Coleshill, England

City: London, England

Notable Alumni: Guildhall School Of Music And Drama

More Facts

education: Guildhall School Of Music And Drama

  • 1

    What is George Martin known for in the music industry?

    George Martin is best known as the producer often referred to as "the fifth Beatle" due to his significant contributions to the success of The Beatles.
  • 2

    How did George Martin contribute to The Beatles' sound?

    George Martin played a key role in shaping The Beatles' sound by introducing innovative recording techniques, arranging musical elements, and providing valuable guidance in the studio.
  • 3

    What impact did George Martin have on music production?

    George Martin revolutionized music production by incorporating orchestral arrangements, experimenting with new recording techniques, and pushing the boundaries of traditional song structures.
  • 4

    How did George Martin collaborate with other artists besides The Beatles?

    George Martin worked with numerous artists outside of The Beatles, such as Elton John, Celine Dion, and Jeff Beck, showcasing his versatility and influence in the music industry.
  • 5

    What is George Martin's legacy in the music world?

    George Martin's legacy in the music world is defined by his unparalleled creativity, groundbreaking production techniques, and lasting impact on the evolution of popular music.
Childhood & Early Life
George Martin was born into a working class family in Drayton Park in England. When he was six, he received a piano from his parents, which kindled his interest in music.
Two years later, he forced his parents to let him attend piano lessons. However, he could complete only eight lessons due to disagreements between his mother and teacher. Following that episode, he was largely self-taught.
He attended various schools such, as St Joseph's elementary in Highgate, St Ignatius College in Stamford Hill and Bromley Grammar School.
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Career
When the World War II broke out, he worked as a quality surveyor and a clerk in the war office before joining the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy in 1943.
In 1947, after the war, along with Dick James and Brian Epstein Martin, he enrolled at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, using the grant he received after the war. He graduated from the school in 1950
In 1950, after graduation, he worked at the BBC’s classical music department and joined EMI as an assistant to Parlophone boos Oscar Preuss.
In 1955, when Preuss retired, Martin took over as the head of Parlophone. He attained great success with artists, such as, Rolf Harris, Flanders, Swann, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Alan Bennett and Jonathan Miller.
In 1962, under the pseudonym, Ray Cathode, he released an electronic dance single known as ‘Time Beat’, which was recorded at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.
He signed a contract with ‘The Beatles’ on June 6, 1962. Though his first collaboration was not a big hit, their second collaboration with the single, ‘Please Please Me’, created a huge impact, helping him rise to instant stardom.
Throughout his career with ‘The Beatles’, he continued to collaborate with other artists including Shirley Bassey, Bernard Cribbins, Flanders and Swann, and later, America and Seatrain.
In 2001, he released ‘Produced by George Martin: 50 Years In Recording’, a six-CD retrospective of his entire studio career.
He quit working with ‘The Beatles’, when he suffered a hearing loss and was soon succeeded by writer/producer, Jeff Lynne of ELO fame.
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Martin announced his retirement mainly because of his hearing loss and age, but remained active in the music industry and was usually seen at various public events.
Major Works
Rubber Soul’, an album which he produced, was released on December 3, 1965. This folk album received great critical acclaim and commercial success and was cited as one of the greatest albums in music history and ranked #5 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time".
Awards & Achievements
He was nominated for the Academy Award in 1964 in the category, ‘Scoring of Music’ for the film, ‘A Hard Day's Night’.
He was awarded a Grammy Award in 1967, in the category ‘Best Contemporary Album’ for the album, ‘Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band’.
He was the winner of the British Phonographic Industry Award for Outstanding Contribution in 1984.
He was bestowed an honorary Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire, in 1996, for his outstanding services to music.
He was inducted into ‘UK Music Hall of Fame on 14 November 2006.
Personal Life & Legacy
He married Sheena Chisholm on January 3, 1948, with whom he had two children, Alexis and Gregory. The couple divorced later.
On June 24, 1966, he married Judy Lockhart-Smith, with whom he had two children, Lucy and Giles.
George Martin died in his sleep on March 8, 2016 at his home in Wiltshire, England. He was 90.
Facts About George Martin
George Martin was an accomplished pianist and oboist before transitioning to a career in music production.
He was known for his love of experimenting with unconventional sounds and techniques in the recording studio, which contributed to the unique sound of many Beatles songs.
He was an avid fan of technology and was one of the first producers to fully embrace and utilize the capabilities of the recording studio as an instrument in itself.
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