I remember the first time I read it. I had just purchased the latest Beatles record, "Magical Mystery Tour." The album contained six new tracks from their TV special plus five other songs that had been released as singles. At the bottom of the list were the words: PRODUCED BY BIG GEORGE MARTIN.
To this day I've never read an explanation as to why it was "Big" George Martin.
Were the Beatles poking fun at their producer for all the acclaim he was receiving for having produced the greatest pop record album ever made (IMHO), "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band?"
Or was the band simply acknowledging the big, huge, enormous influence Martin had had on their recordings and career?
Who could have ever predicted that a producer mainly of comedy records and a relatively unheralded pop band from the north in Liverpool would join forces to change the sound and the look of pop music forever?
Martin first liked the Beatles for their personalities and sense of humor. Later he recognized the great song writing potential of Lennon and McCartney.
He changed the pace of "Please, Please Me" and gave the band their first number one hit.
He convinced McCartney that the use of strings on "Yesterday" would make the song. And Martin was right.
He captured all the amazing sounds of "Pepper" on a four-track recording machine. Unheard of!
And in the end, Martin was able to get the band to work together one more time to produce an album worthy of a career-ending flourish - "Abbey Road."
George Martin just passed away at the age of 90.
Lots of folks will spend the days to come attempting to analyze the influence of Martin on the Beatles career.
Let's just call it BIG!
