One of the world's most famous producers, George Martin (1926-2016) is nicknamed the "Fifth Beatle" for having produced almost every record by the group he auditioned in 1962 and accompanied right up to their split. A classically trained pianist, he worked for the BBC and then for EMI at Abbey Road Studios. From 1950 onwards, he produced a wide range of artists, from variety to classical music. He ran the Parlophone label, on which he signed The Beatles and occasionally appeared on a few tracks. In addition to the Merseybeat groups, the arranger and producer of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) and Abbey Road (1969) put his creativity to work for Cilla Black, America, John McLaughlin, Jeff Beck, Ultravox, Kenny Rogers and Céline Dion. He continued his adventure with Paul McCartney and his group Wings in his AIR studio in London or in Montserrat, in the Caribbean, then took part in the elaboration of the Anthology series, rich in previously unreleased versions. Knighted in 1996, Sir George Martin died on March 8, 2016 at the age of 90. The 6-CD, 151-track box set Produced by George Martin - 50 Years in Recording, released in 2001, sums up his long career.
