George Martin Biography

Birth of George Henry Martin, later record producer, arranger, composer and important Beatles collaborator.

Birth of George Martin

Serves in the Royal Navy during the Second World War period before pursuing formal music training.

Studies piano and oboe at the Guildhall School of Music after wartime naval service.

Joins EMI and begins working in record production, learning studio craft across classical, comedy and popular music.

Becomes head of Parlophone Records, then a smaller EMI label with strong comedy and novelty releases.

Works on comedy material connected with Beyond the Fringe, broadening Parlophone's reputation beyond conventional pop.

Signs up the Beatles for EMI Records, produces their recordings until 1969

The Beatles audition for George Martin at Parlophone/EMI Records, he agrees to sign the group, but insists that Pete Best be replaced, within months, Richard "Ringo" Starkey joins the group

The Beatles meet George Martin for 1st time, they record "Besame Mucho". George Martin decides to sign-up the Beatles

The Beatles record their first sessions at EMI Studios in London, with George Martin as producer

Auditions the Beatles at EMI, beginning the partnership that transforms his career and popular music.

Produces Love Me Do, the Beatles' first single for Parlophone.

Produces How Do You Do It, a major early hit for Gerry and the Pacemakers.

Produces Please Please Me, the Beatles' debut album, recorded quickly after early singles success.

Produces From Me to You, helping secure the Beatles' rise in the British singles market.

Produces She Loves You, one of the breakthrough singles of Beatlemania.

Produces With the Beatles as the group consolidates its early British popularity.

Produces Anyone Who Had a Heart for Cilla Black, extending his success beyond the Beatles.

Produces I Want to Hold Your Hand, a single central to the Beatles' American breakthrough.

Produces A Hard Day's Night, combining soundtrack work with a full Beatles studio album.

Leaves EMI staff and helps establish Associated Independent Recording, giving him greater independence as a producer.

Produces Help!, the Beatles' second film soundtrack album.

Produces Rubber Soul, helping the Beatles move toward more mature studio songwriting.

Arranges strings for Eleanor Rigby, placing chamber textures at the centre of a Beatles single.

Produces Revolver, supporting tape experiments, orchestral ideas and more ambitious studio construction.

Helps shape A Day in the Life with orchestral crescendos and controlled studio experimentation.

Produces Magical Mystery Tour recordings as the Beatles continue psychedelic film and studio experiments.

Produces Penny Lane, adding bright brass colour to McCartney's Liverpool memory piece.

Produces Strawberry Fields Forever, joining different takes into a landmark psychedelic recording.

Produces Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, one of the most influential albums of the studio era.

Produces the Beatles' self-titled double album, often known as the White Album.

Provides orchestral score material for Yellow Submarine alongside Beatles songs.

Produces Abbey Road after the Beatles return to a more disciplined studio collaboration.

Receives production credit on Let It Be, although Phil Spector reshapes the final released album.

Produces Homecoming for America, beginning a successful collaboration with the folk-rock band.

Produces and arranges Live and Let Die, returning to work with Paul McCartney on a Bond theme.

Produces Apocalypse with the Mahavishnu Orchestra, combining jazz-rock and orchestral forces.

Produces Holiday for America, including the hit Tin Man.

Produces Hearts for America, continuing his run of polished mid-1970s recordings.

Produces Blow by Blow, a major instrumental rock album for guitarist Jeff Beck.

Produces Wired, another influential Jeff Beck instrumental rock album.

Works with Cheap Trick on All Shook Up, bringing his production approach to American power pop.

Produces Tug of War, reuniting with Paul McCartney for a successful early-1980s album.

Produces Pipes of Peace, continuing his renewed collaboration with Paul McCartney.

Produces music for Give My Regards to Broad Street, combining film and McCartney recordings.

Produces orchestral material for The Who's Tommy stage-related recordings.

Is knighted for services to music after decades as a leading producer and arranger.

Produces Candle in the Wind 1997, released in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Releases In My Life, an album revisiting Beatles songs with guest performers.

Works with Giles Martin on Love, remixing Beatles recordings for the Cirque du Soleil project.

Dies aged ninety after a career that reshaped record production and the Beatles' studio sound.