Song:The Pepperland Suite
Album:Produced By George Martin: Highlights From 50 Years In Recording
Because of his work with The Beatles, George Martin is probably the most famous record producer of all time. And though his arrangements were an integral element of The Beatles' success, he lucked into the fame because he worked for EMI since 1950. He was born Jan. 3, 1926 in London, England. He was supposed to take piano lessons as a child but didn't because of a dispute between his mother and the teacher. So his career was going to be as a surveyor and he served in the Royal Navy during WWII. After the war, Martin used his veteran's grant to study music. This led to his joining EMI in 1950 as an assistant to the head of Parlophone Records. He produced classical music and comedy records especially with Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan and The Goon Show and Beyond The Fringe with Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. Martin wanted to add pop music to Parlophone. So he met with The Beatles' manager Brian Epstein. They had been rejected by several labels including Decca. Obviously he signed them and Martin's production and orchestration was a huge part of The Beatles' success. The Pepperland Suite is from the 1967 film Yellow Submarine. Most of that album is Martin's score for the film. There are only four Beatles songs on it. You can get it on this highlights CD of a 7CD George Martin box set. The box set is out of print. Of course Martin worked on other things including the score of the 1973 James Bond film Live And Let Die. One of Martin's most notable non Beatles hits was Ferry Cross The Mersey by Gerry and the Pacemakers. He's been knighted. He's in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. It's amazing for a guy who was nothing more than an EMI Records house producer. Here's a video for The Pepperland Suite by George Martin.
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