There has been an outpouring of memories and love for George Martin who passed away yesterday at the age of 90.
Paul McCartney (partial statement, see it in full at McCartney’s site):
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.
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.
The world has lost a truly great man who left an indelible mark on my soul and the history of British music.
Ringo Starr
God bless George Martin peace and love to Judy and his family love Ringo and Barbara George will be missed xxx
Sean Lennon
R.I.P. George Martin. I’m so gutted I don’t have many words. Thinking of Judy and Giles and family. Love Always, Sean
Julian Lennon
So Sad to hear the News of George’s Passing…
The Fifth Beatle, without question, and likely one of the best & most Iconic Music Producers of all time. You were always such a gentleman and have inspired Millions and will continue to do so for Millennia…
It was an Honour to know You.
My Heart & Prayers go out to Judy and all other Family members…
Olivia & Dhani Harrison
George Martin was a gentleman above all. May he rest in peace. He was so kind to Dhani and I and of course our George thought the world of him. He will be terribly missed. Our thoughts are with Judy and all the family at this sad time.
Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy
We are very saddened to learn about the passing of six-time GRAMMY® Award winner and Trustees Award recipient Sir George Martin. As many fans of the Beatles know, George’s work as producer, engineer, arranger, conductor, and musician was instrumental to the massive success of the group, and he was fondly referred to as “the fifth Beatle.” Having worked on hundreds of recordings, he was one of the most innovative producers of all time and his impact on music is unparalleled. Our creative community has lost a gifted artist, and our thoughts go out to his family, his friends, and the many musicians with whom he collaborated.
Brian Wilson
When I heard that George Martin died, I felt a real sadness in my soul. The records that George produced with the Beatles were some of the greatest ever made and they inspired me to greater heights. We were young and anything was possible. George and I became friends later on and when he said nice things about me, it made me very proud. He was a kind and gentle soul. I wish the best for George’s family and friends.
Love & Mercy, Brian
Mike Love
Tonight, we lost much more than a musician and a lovely human being; we lost a man who changed the trajectory of modern music. Sir George Martin shaped the sound of The Beatles and in turn, helped inspire our generation and those who follow with his legacy. He definitely kept us on our toes across the pond. I am certain Brian treasured those moments he spent with Sir George sitting at the piano. The world is a much better place for Sir George has left us with the joy of his music, a message of love, passion and purpose. He had inspired so many, including our own Jeff Foskett, who worked directly with George on a few, very special projects. “Personally, he was an inspiration as a loving husband, father and grandfather. It was and honor for me to work with Sir George on several occasions. Brilliant, generous, kind are only a few of the many adjectives that first come to mind when I think of Sir George” says Jeff. Our 5th Beatle has gone home! Rest in Peace Sir George…
Loving Prayers for his wife, children and grandchildren.
Peace & Love,
Mike Love
Quincy Jones
Rest in peace to my musical brother George Martin. A true genius in body and soul, you knew the secrets of our craft that so few know today, and made everlasting music with them. We were friends since 1964, and I am so thankful for that gift. Thank you for co-inventing the Beatles. Bless you and your precious posse forever…
Tori Amos
George Martin was such a great musical visionary and his work will live for ever…..RIP George
Lisa Stansfield
So sad to hear of George Martin’s passing. He was such a genuinely gentle man. I feel privileged to have been able to work with him. He’ll live forever through his amazing achievements.
Chad & Jeremy
Without Sir George Martin, there would have been no Beatles, and no British Invasion. He changed the world forever, and he will not be forgotten.
Flea
George martin. Wow. People made records that were that good.
Ultravox
I had the great pleasure of meeting Sir George Martin in June 2000. George and his son Giles had organised ‘Wings and Strings’, a big open-air orchestral concert-slash-airshow at RNAS Yeovilton. Midge was guesting on some of it, and he introduced us backstage. I took a couple of photos of them together, but not one of me with them – obviously this was in the days before the first thought was ‘selfie!!!’… He was a wonderful man who made a massive impact on Ultravox’s sound (as with many many others), and will be missed. Our condolences to his family and friends.
Billy J. Kramer
I was very saddened to hear about the passing of George Martin. He produced all of my hit records, and of course, those of the Beatles.
George was a gentleman and a huge talent. Although George didn’t have today’s technology, the records he produced are classics that will live on forever
Bryan Adams
Goodbye George Martin, thanks for producing the music that changed my world and everyone else’s. Photo taken by me backstage at the Buckingham Palace Silver Jubilee #georgemartin #beatles
The Pacemakers
We are so sorry to hear the sad news about George Martin, a true gentleman who changed our world. Our sincere condolences to Judy and all his family. Rest in peace George.
The Smithereens
me and the rest of the guys in the band were lucky to have met george martin in london at the Parlophone Records offices back around 1989. He was tremendously gracious to us and said nice things about the band, even though he had probably never actually heard our music- he was a real gentleman. R.I.P George Martin, we can never thank you enough for the joy and happiness you brought into our lives…
J.R. Richards of Dishwalla
Saddened to hear of Sir George Martin’s passing. A musical hero of mine since I was a wee lad learning how to play piano at age 4. I had the privilege of recording in both Abbey Road Studios this last year where he produced most of the Beatles records as well as AIR Studios which he started in the mid sixties…… the music lives on
Steve Hogarth of Marillion
I never cried when Lennon died, although I had to sit down. The tears surprised me this morning until I really thought about it.
George Martin was the architect of everything I held dear when I was a kid. Without him The Beatles would have just been a great band of great songwriters. But with him, they were The Beatles.
The fire that burns inside my generation was put there by him, and those of us who became “contemporary musicians” simply took his work as the magician’s handbook – listened, marvelled, tripped, wept, and learned. But no one else ever walked the line so perfectly between the mind-expanding, the musically sophisticated, and what was possible with the emerging technology.
Mike’s met him and says he was lovely.
Another genius has passed on.
And it’s raining.
The Who
It is with great sadness that we learned today of the death of Sir George Martin. George had been an integral part of so many musician’s lives over the past 60 or so years, carving and shaping the careers of not just The Beatles but Gerry & The Pacemakers, Cilla Black, The Foremost, Billy J Kramer, Peter Sellars, The Goons, Shirley Bassey, Elton John, Matt Monro, Kate Bush, Ella Fitzgerald . . . the list is just endless. In 1992 George worked with Pete Townshend on the stage production of Tommy, both of them seen here in the recording studio with actor Michael Cerveris. Tommy opened on Broadway in 1993 and the subsequent stage recording won George Martin, as the album producer, the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 1993. R.I.P. George Martin. Never to be forgotten.
The Blockheads
Very sad to hear the news that legendary producer George Martin has passed away. Thank you George. #RIP #GeorgeMartin The Beatles
Chris DeBurgh
I am very sorry to hear of the death of George Martin, a man who I met and worked with several times; as the producer of the Beatles, his creativity, musicianship and inspiration brought enormous influence to arguably the greatest group in the history of popular music, and the enduring songs of Lennon, McCartney and Harrison inspired generations of songwriters and musicians and no doubt will do for years to come. Thank you George…
Shawn Colvin
Sir George Martin, rest in peace. There are no words to measure your contribution to music, and to my favorite band in particular. You were part of the miracle. A brilliant producer. Deep thanks.
Neil Finn
RIP and thanks George Martin .. his presence is everywhere
– Neil.
America
We just got word here in California of the passing of Sir George Martin at age 90 and can’t express the sadness. It goes without saying what a great man he was and what deep regard we all had for him these many years. He is already missed terribly, but we will always have the music he created with us, and all the great artists he worked with over 60 years…not the least of which, of course, is virtually the entire Beatles catalogue. We have such fond memories of the time we spent together making music and enjoying those times recording around the world. We have all lost a truly special man.
Burton Cummings
GEORGE MARTIN 1926-2016
Produced the Beatles records that changed music forever, as well as countless other artists…was a major player in the “British Invasion” of the Sixties…the records will live forever…
R.I.P. George…you left an amazing legacy
Dave Navarro
Awww man! RIP Sir George Martin and thank you for the inspiration! My life wouldnt have been the same without you.
Steve Lukather
God Bless George Martin.
He defined what Production as we know it could be. A genius arranger/musician and pure class. He will be missed..
Leo Sayer
Now I know we are truly at the end of a (wonderful) era…. Thanks Sir George, for Peter Sellars and The Beatles, and so, so much more…
Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day
rest in peace.. here there and everywhere.. george Martin . the greatest
Brian May
So sad to hear of the passing of the great George Martin
Very Sad, and sincere condolences to his family.
But also … What a glorious innings ! Always always positive, and deeply thoughtful and creative, the man was a gentle giant of popular music.
My first knowledge of him is something that few will probably mention: he produced the Temperance Seven – those wonderful 20s style recordings of “You’re Driving me Crazy”, and the blissful “Pasadena” and many others. I adored that work and still do – a great influence. And related one-off projects like Peter Sellers and Sophia Loren. George obviously had a real magic, even then. When he later became the ‘in house’ producer for the Beatles, history was made – and a fabulous catalogue of work.
I didn’t know him well, but our few conversations were full of light. Massive respects and love. Bless you George !
RIP.
Bri
Liam Gallagher
Sir George Martin RIP LG x
Josh Groban
Every time I record at abbey road I geek out and play with the mics sir George Martin used. What an ear, what a life, what a legacy.
Mark Ronson
Thank you Sir George Martin: the greatest British record producer of all time. We will never stop living in the world you helped create.
Regina Spektor
Rest in peace George Martin. You helped new sounds come out of hiding-and dreamt up some of my favorite arrangements and recordings… Love!
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