Sir Paul and Ringo lead tributes to ‘Fifth Beatle’

Legendary record producer dies at 90

Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr have led tributes to Sir George Martin, the record producer known as the Fifth Beatle, who has died aged 90.

His family confirmed he died peacefully at his home on Tuesday and thanked “everyone for their thoughts, prayers and messages of support”.

Sir George helped The Beatles achieve global success, producing their early 1960s pop recordings to their classic albums like Revolver and Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Sir Paul described him as a “true gentleman and like a second father to me”, while Starr praised the producer’s “love and kindness” to the Fab Four through the years.

“If anyone earned the title of the Fifth Beatle it was George,” Sir Paul said.

“The world has lost a truly great man who left an indelible mark on my soul and the history of British music.”

Sir Paul also recalled his favourite memory of Sir George when he persuaded the former Beatles star to include a string quartet on the band’s classic hit Yesterday.

“His idea obviously worked because the song subsequently became one of the most recorded songs ever with versions by Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye and thousands more,” he added.

Ringo Starr tweeted a picture of The Beatles and Sir George with the caption: “Thank you for all your love and kindness George peace and love.”

Sir George’s son Giles, who is also a producer and has worked at Abbey Road studios, tweeted: “RIP dad. I love you. I’m so proud to have been your son.”

Sir George, a carpenter’s son from Holloway in north London, studied at Guildhall School of Music and played the oboe professionally before joining the recording industry.

During his early career, Sir George produced comedy and novelty records in the early 1950s, working with Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan.

He was head of the Parlophone record label when he first heard The Beatles’s demo tape in 1962, with the band releasing their first single Love Me Do in October of that year.

Their third single From Me To You went to number one in April 1963 – the first of 17 chart-topping hits.

During his career, which spanned seven decades, Sir George won two Ivor Novello awards, six Grammys and in 2008 was the recipient of the Grammy Foundation’s Leadership Award.

Sir George, who is survived by his wife Judy Lockhart-Smith and four children, received his knighthood in 1996.

Picture: Getty Images. Record producer George Martin with The Beatles in 1964.

Picture: PA. As well as being The Beatles’ record producer, Sir George Martin worked with many other artistes including Cilla Black, Matt Monro, Shirley Bassey, Cleo Laine, John Dankworth, Humphrey Lyttelton and Stan Getz.