George Martin, recognized as one of music’s most versatile and imaginative talents, entered the music industry in 1950 after studying at the Guildhall School of Music and playing the oboe professionally in London. He began recording classical music specializing in the Baroque period. His later experience with jazz and pop led to his appointment as Head of the Parlophone label in the EMI Group in 1955.
As a producer he has been responsible for bringing a host of artists into recording studios particularly in the humorous field with brilliant performers such as Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan, Flanders and Swann and the ‘Beyond the Fringe’ team – Jonathan Miller, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore and Alan Bennett. He has also worked with jazz artists Cleo Laine, John Dankworth, Humphrey Lyttelton and the legendary Stan Getz.
But it was his decision in 1962 to sign The Beatles to EMI – a decision which launched them on their remarkable career, producing every record they made until they disbanded in 1970, which changed the face of music.