Biography of George Martin

Who was the fifth Beatle? The debate continues to rage on among fans even decades later, but when it comes to their music itself, there was no individual more pivotal to the Fab Four's success than George Martin, the producer who helmed all of the band's studio records and in the process forever altered the ways in which pop albums are created. Not only did Martin sign the Beatles to a recording contract after the group received countless rejections, but as their popularity increased -- and their artistic ambitions grew ever greater -- he made their vision a reality, guiding their music from the youthful exuberance of classics like "She Loves You" and "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" to mid-period masterpieces like Rubber Soul and Revolver to the groundbreaking sonic complexity and maturity of Sgt. Pepper and Abbey Road. In the process, Martin greatly expanded the horizons of studio recording, fully exploiting the unlimited potential of contemporary technology; a true musical innovator, his influence cannot be overstated. Martin was born in London on January 3, 1926; classically trained at the Guildhall School of Music, he was hired on as a junior A&R man by EMI Records in 1950. By 1955, he was tapped to head up the company's Parlophone division, where he produced everyone from Shirley Bassey to the skiffle band the Vipers to jazz acts including the Temperance 7. However, Martin was perhaps most renowned for his comedic productions, most notably those of the legendary Peter Sellers and Bernard Cribbins. In 1962 he signed the Beatles to Parlophone, unaware they'd been previously turned down by every other British label of note, including EMI itself; advising the group to dismiss then-drummer Pete Best, Martin soon helmed their debut single, "Love Me Do," a Top 20 U.K. hit. With their next single, "Please Please Me," the Beatles became superstars, and seemingly overnight Beatlemania struck the globe in full force; through his association with the band, Martin soon became arguably the most famous record producer in the world.In 1963 alone, Martin spent 37 weeks at number one in the U.K. as a producer, additionally working with artists including Cilla Black, Gerry & the Pacemakers and Billy J. Kramer. Of course, the Beatles remained not only his most famous act, but also his most challenging -- as their songs grew infinitely more complex, Martin helped put their ideas into action, in the meantime adding his own distinctive touches to many of their most beloved recordings. Examples include the harpsichord solo in "In My Life," which he composed, as well as the guitar and piano solos in "Michelle"; the classical flourishes which distinguish tracks like "Yesterday" and "For No One" were also of his design, as were the tape loops and studio trickery which made LPs like Revolver and Sgt. Pepper so groundbreaking. In 1964 Martin recorded the first of many orchestral albums of Beatles songs, Off the Beatle Path, and a year later he established his own studio, AIR London. The remainder of the decade also saw him producing material for up-and-comers including the Action. Martin's relationship with the Beatles continued through their last recorded work, 1969's Abbey Road. Following the band's demise, he worked with Ringo Starr on 1970's Sentimental Journey before moving on to produce material for acts including America, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Webb. Martin's Beatles association continued long after the band's breakup -- in 1977 he produced their Live at the Hollywood Bowl LP, and a year later helmed the soundtrack to the movie musical Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Also during the late 1970s, Martin opened another AIR studio on the island of Montserrat, which was later destroyed by a hurricane and a subsequent earthquake. After producing Paul McCartney's 1981 LP Tug of War and 1983's Pipes of Peace, his schedule began to slow down. Knighted in 1996, a year later Martin produced his 30th U.K. chart-topper -- Elton John's "Candle in the Wind '97," which went on to become the best-selling single of all time. After nearly a half century in the music business, he announced 1998's In My Life to be his swan song. ~ Jason Ankeny

Biography of George Martin

Who was the fifth Beatle? The debate continues to rage on among fans even decades later, but when it comes to their music itself, there was no individual more pivotal to the Fab Four's success than George Martin, the producer who helmed all of the band's studio records and in the process forever altered the ways in which pop albums are created. Not only did Martin sign the Beatles to a recording contract after the group received countless rejections, but as their popularity increased -- and their artistic ambitions grew ever greater -- he made their vision a reality, guiding their music from the youthful exuberance of classics like "She Loves You" and "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" to mid-period masterpieces like Rubber Soul and Revolver to the groundbreaking sonic complexity and maturity of Sgt. Pepper and Abbey Road. In the process, Martin greatly expanded the horizons of studio recording, fully exploiting the unlimited potential of contemporary technology; a true musical innovator, his influence cannot be overstated. Martin was born in London on January 3, 1926; classically trained at the Guildhall School of Music, he was hired on as a junior A&R man by EMI Records in 1950. By 1955, he was tapped to head up the company's Parlophone division, where he produced everyone from Shirley Bassey to the skiffle band the Vipers to jazz acts including the Temperance 7. However, Martin was perhaps most renowned for his comedic productions, most notably those of the legendary Peter Sellers and Bernard Cribbins. In 1962 he signed the Beatles to Parlophone, unaware they'd been previously turned down by every other British label of note, including EMI itself; advising the group to dismiss then-drummer Pete Best, Martin soon helmed their debut single, "Love Me Do," a Top 20 U.K. hit. With their next single, "Please Please Me," the Beatles became superstars, and seemingly overnight Beatlemania struck the globe in full force; through his association with the band, Martin soon became arguably the most famous record producer in the world.In 1963 alone, Martin spent 37 weeks at number one in the U.K. as a producer, additionally working with artists including Cilla Black, Gerry & the Pacemakers and Billy J. Kramer. Of course, the Beatles remained not only his most famous act, but also his most challenging -- as their songs grew infinitely more complex, Martin helped put their ideas into action, in the meantime adding his own distinctive touches to many of their most beloved recordings. Examples include the harpsichord solo in "In My Life," which he composed, as well as the guitar and piano solos in "Michelle"; the classical flourishes which distinguish tracks like "Yesterday" and "For No One" were also of his design, as were the tape loops and studio trickery which made LPs like Revolver and Sgt. Pepper so groundbreaking. In 1964 Martin recorded the first of many orchestral albums of Beatles songs, Off the Beatle Path, and a year later he established his own studio, AIR London. The remainder of the decade also saw him producing material for up-and-comers including the Action. Martin's relationship with the Beatles continued through their last recorded work, 1969's Abbey Road. Following the band's demise, he worked with Ringo Starr on 1970's Sentimental Journey before moving on to produce material for acts including America, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Webb. Martin's Beatles association continued long after the band's breakup -- in 1977 he produced their Live at the Hollywood Bowl LP, and a year later helmed the soundtrack to the movie musical Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Also during the late 1970s, Martin opened another AIR studio on the island of Montserrat, which was later destroyed by a hurricane and a subsequent earthquake. After producing Paul McCartney's 1981 LP Tug of War and 1983's Pipes of Peace, his schedule began to slow down. Knighted in 1996, a year later Martin produced his 30th U.K. chart-topper -- Elton John's "Candle in the Wind '97," which went on to become the best-selling single of all time. After nearly a half century in the music business, he announced 1998's In My Life to be his swan song. ~ Jason Ankeny

Biography of Jim Carrey

No biography available

Biography of Jim Carrey

No biography available