The Beatles producer George Martin has died at age 90 Wednesday.
Often referred to as the ‘Fifth Beatle,” Martin played an integral role in making the Fab Four the greatest band in rock history. Here are five things to know about him:
- He started playing piano at the age of six and attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama from 1947 to 1950, studying piano and oboe.
- Martin got hired by Parlophone Records in 1950 and became the label head in 1955.
- The producer first met with the Beatles in 1962 when the band members mocked his tie and a number of other things about him. Later that year, Martin helped the band record “How Do You Do It” and history was made.
- He is often called the “Fifth Beatle” due to the fact that his formal music training helped the band refine their talents in contemporary song structure, thus beginning one of the greatest decades of music produced by a single band.
- Martin has produced music for plenty of other artists, including America, Jeff Beck, Kenny Rogers, Cheap Trick, Elton John and Celine Dion.
Rest in peace, George.
