The legendary Beatles producer Sir George Martin has passed away at the age of 90. The longtime music producer was the mastermind behind much of the band's lengthy catalog and died peacefully at his home.
When Martin met the Beatles in 1962, the band had a cult following in parts of England but had never managed to land a record deal. After he listened to the group's demo, he called them into a studio for a test session. In the sessions, it was Martin who suggested the band get rid of drummer Pete Best, and weeks later he singed the band with new drummer Ringo Starr.
Martin's death was first announced by Beatles drummer Starr, who broke the news on his Twitter. "God bless George Martin peace and love to Judy and his family. Love Ringo and Barbara. George will be missed." Starr added, "Thank you for all your love and kindness George, peace and love."
Sean Lennon, the son of late Beatles member John Lennon, also paid his condolences on his social media account. "R.I.P. George Martin. I'm so gutted I don't have many words," he wrote. "Thinking of Judy and Giles and family. Love Always, Sean."
Paul McCartney wrote a moving tribute to Martin, where he called him "like a second father" to him.
"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," McCartney wrote.
"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," he later continued. "Even when he was Knighted by the Queen there was never the slightest trace of snobbery about him."
Martin was born on Jan 3, 1926 in Highbury, London and was musically gifted at a very young age. The producer first learned how to play the piano and became obsessed with radio broadcasts of orchestras. When he was 15, he formed his own band called George Martin and the Four Tellers. He enlisted in the Royal Navy at just 17 years old and left the military in 1947. Upon leaving, Martin enrolled in the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he studied the piano and oboe.
Martin's career spanned over six decades where he had 23 number one hits in the U.S. and 30 number one hits in the U.K. He produced some of the biggest songs that the band recorded including "Yesterday," "Eleanor Rigby," "Tomorrow Never Knows" and "Strawberry Fields Forever." He also produced most of the band's transformative albums including "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," "Abbey Road" and "Let it Be."
Martin was knighted in 1996, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999 and won six Grammys over the course of his carrer. Martin is survived by his wife Judy Lockhart-Smith, and his two children Judy and Giles.
