Sir George Martin, Producer Behind Beatles’ Success, Dies At 90

George Martin, the famed producer who worked with The Beatles, has died. He was 90.

George Martin Dies

Martin passed away “peacefully at home” in England, Adam Sharp, the founder of CA Management, told CNN. “In a career that spanned seven decades he was recognized globally as one of music’s most creative talents and a gentleman to the end,” Sharp, whose company represented Martin added. “The family ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”

Though Martin was a mainstay in the industry, working with numerous acts over the course of his career, he was forever best known for working with The Beatles for seven years. It was Martin whose musical expertise helped to propel The Beatles to international stardom. He was instrumental in making tracks like “Please Please Me,” “Yesterday” and “Tomorrow Never Knows” massive hits for the band. Martin also contributed to the “Penny Lane”/ “Strawberry Fields Forever” single and the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album.

The last album Martin worked with The Beatles on was Abbey Road. He also helped produce 1970 single “Let It Be.”

Following the Beatles split, Martin produced for America, Peter Sellers, Shirley Bassey, America, Cheap Trick, Jeff Beck and Celine Dion. He also worked again with Beatle Paul McCartney on his James Bond theme “Live and Let Die” as well as his solo album Tug of War.

“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,” McCartney said in a statement upon learning of Martin’s death. “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.”

Back in November, another member of the extended Beatles family died, Andy White. White had played drums on just one Beatles single – the American version of “Love Me Do.” White’s credit on the song gave him the status of being the mythical “fifth Beatle.” White also played on the B-side to the single, “P.S. I Love You.”