RIP the 5th Beatle

[Gob]

Record producer Sir George Martin, known as the "fifth Beatle", has died, aged 90.



His family thanked "everyone for their thoughts, prayers and messages of support" after his death at home on Tuesday, his manager said.

Beatles drummer Ringo Starr broke the news on Twitter and led tributes, saying Sir George "will be missed".

Sir George signed The Beatles and produced more than 700 records.

He also worked with artists including Gerry and the Pacemakers, Dame Shirley Bassey and Cilla Black.

"I have so many wonderful memories of this great man that will be with me forever," said Sir Paul McCartney in a statement on his website.

"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."

[RayThom]

Agreed. By all accounts Martin was one of the most generous of spirit in the business. In 2006 NPR's music critic, WXPN's own David Dye, interviewed Martin and I was surprised how humble this guy really was. He said if no one other than his family remembered him in death he'd die a happy man. Today, he'd be so disappointed. BTW -- NPR has been rerunning this interview on many of its stations.

Yet another passing that is chipping away at my own mortality. RIP, George.

[Big RR]

Yet another passing that is chipping away at my own mortality.

I know that feeling.

And George did seem to be liked by many, except for John Lennon during his Plastic Ono Band Years (but everyone's entitled to an occasional snit). Rest in Peace George.

[Gob]

Of course his greatest production was the world famous "Barwick Green ".

[BoSoxGal]

I heard on NPR today that Martin, a classical composer, was the one who suggested strings to accompany Paul's solo of Yesterday, a suggestion Paul first balked at. One of the best Beatles tunes hands down and I cannot imagine it without the orchestral accompaniment. He was clearly a very talented musician, may he RIP.

[Bicycle Bill]

Just how many "Fifth Beatles" were there?  According to this article, there were at least a half-dozen people who actually played with the band over the years and might actually have a valid claim to the title of "Fifth Beatle", as well as people as diverse as George Martin and 'Murray the K' — a NYC DJ who, after George Harrison once jokingly dubbed him with the moniker, actually promoted himself with the title of "the Fifth Beatle".

-"BB"-

[Lord Jim]

Of course his greatest production was the world famous "Barwick Green ".

What world would that be? Rigel 7?

[Sue U]

Of course his greatest production was the world famous "Barwick Green ".

????

This is "Barwick Green" and is the theme music to the long-running BBC Radio 4 soap opera The Archers. It is a "maypole dance" from the suite My Native Heath, written in 1924 by the Yorkshire composer Arthur Wood, and named after Barwick-in-Elmet.

[Gob]

He didn't write the Beatles music either Sue.

A producer has many roles that may include, but are not limited to, gathering ideas for the project, selecting songs and/or session musicians, proposing changes to the song arrangements, coaching the artist and musicians in the studio, controlling the recording sessions, and supervising the entire process through audio ...

[Econoline]

To quote a twit I saw on Tweeter:

• Now that George RR Martin has passed we'll never get a sixth Beatles novel.