On March 8, 2016, Sir George Henry Martin died aged 90. He was musician (oboe, keyboards), music producer, arranger, composer, conductor and audio engineer, best known for his work with The Beatles and sometimes referred to as “the Fifth Beatle”. Martin had 30 number-one hit singles in the UK and 23 number-one hits in the US. In 1996, as recognition of his services to the music industry and popular culture, he was made a “Knight Bachelor”.
Tag Archives: The Beatles
The Beatles: Yesterday
On March 4, 1966, “Parlaphone” label released “Yesterday” , the eleventh Beatles EP. It was recorded in 1965, at “EMI Studios” in London, and was produced by George Martin, and was released in mono only. The cover photograph was taken by Robert Whitaker.
Track listing:
- Yesterday – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- Act Naturally – Johnny Russell, Voni Morrison
- You Like Me Too Much – George Harrison
- It’s Only Love – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
George Harrison: Same
On February 20, 1979, “Dark Horse” label released the self-titled, eight George Harrison studio album. It was recorded March – November 1978, at “FPSHOT” in Oxfordshire, and was produced by Russ Titelman and George Harrison. The album included “Blow Away” and “Not Guilty”, songs that Harrison originally recorded in 1968 for the Beatles’ “White Album”.
Personnel:
- George Harrison– lead and backing vocals, guitars, bass
- Eric Clapton – guitar
- Neil Larsen – keyboards, Minimoog
- Steve Winwood – polymoog, harmonium, Minimoog, backing vocals
- Willie Weeks – bass
- Andy Newmark– drums
- Ray Cooper– percussion
- Emil Richards– marimba
- Gayle Levant – harp
- Gary Wright– oberheim
- Del Newman – strings and horn arrangements
- Mike Salisbury – cover photography
Track listing:
All tracks by George Harrison, except where noted.
- Love Comes to Everyone
- Not Guilty
- Here Comes the Moon
- Soft-Hearted Hana
- Blow Away
- Faster
- Dark Sweet Lady
- Your Love Is Forever
- Soft Touch
- If You Believe – George Harrison, Gary Wright
The Cavern Club
On January 16, 1957 “The Cavern Club” was opened. In the late 50’s and early 60’s, the warehouse cellar venue at “10 Mathew Street” in Liverpool, became home for the Beat and Rock music scene in Liverpool and proving ground for The Hollies, The Yardbirds, The Rolling Stones, Black Sabath, Elton John, The Kinks, The Who, Queen, and especially The Beatles, who appeared at the club 292 times.
The Beatles: Rubber Soul
On December 3, 1965, “Parlaphone” label released “Rubber Soul”, the sixth Beatles studio album. “Rubber Soul” was recorded in October and November 1965, at the “EMI Studios” in London, and was produced by George Martin. In 2012, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “Rubber Soul” on number five on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.
Personnel
- John Lennon– lead, harmony and backing vocals, rhythm and acoustic guitars, electric piano
- Paul McCartney– lead, harmony and backing vocals, lead, acoustic and bass guitars, piano
- George Harrison– lead, harmony and backing vocals, lead, rhythm, acoustic and bass guitars, sitar
- Ringo Starr – drums, tambourine, maracas, cowbell, bells, cymbals, lead vocals, Hammond organ
- Mal Evans– Hammond organ
- Robert Freeman- photography
Track listing
- I’ve Just Seen a Face – Paul McCartney
- Norwegian Woods – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- You Won’t See Me – Paul McCartney
- Think for Yourself – George Harrison
- The Word – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison
- Michelle – Paul McCartney
- It’s Only Love – John Lennon
- Girl – John Lennon
- I’m Looking Through You – Paul McCartney
- In My Life – John Lennon
- Wait – Paul McCartney, John Lennon
- Run For Your Life – Paul McCartney, John Lennon
The Beatles: Love Me Do
On October 5, 1962, “Parlaphone” label released “Love Me Do”, the Beatles’ first single, with “P.S. I Love You” as B side. “Love Me Do” was written few years before it was released, and before the name The Beatles existed. The song is signed by Lennon and McCartney and the single was produced by George Martin. Three different versions of the song were recorded, each with a different drummer:
- 6 June 1962 – with Pete Best
- 4 September 1962 – with Ringo Starr
- 11 September 1962 – with Andy White
George Martin said: When ‘Love Me Do’ was released, it was the day the world changed.
The Beatles: Revolver
On August 5, 1966, “Parlaphone” released “Revolver” the seventh Beatles (The) album. It was recorded April – June 1966, at “EMI Studios” in London, and was produced by George Martin. The album was recognized by critics as having redefined the parameters of popular music. The album’s Grammy Award-winning cover design was created by Klaus Voormann, old band’s friend from their early years in Hamburg. “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “Revolver” at number three on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.
Personnel
- John Lennon– lead, harmony and backing vocals, rhythm and acoustic guitars; piano, Hammond organ, harmonium; tape loops, sound effects; cowbell, tambourine, maracas, handclaps, finger snaps
- Paul McCartney– lead, harmony and backing vocals, bass, acoustic and lead guitars; piano, clavichord; tape loops, sound effects; handclaps, finger snaps
- George Harrison– lead, harmony and backing vocals, lead, acoustic, rhythm and bass guitars; sitar, tambura; tape loops, sound effects; maracas, tambourine, handclaps, finger snaps
- Ringo Starr– lead vocals, drums; tambourine, maracas, handclaps, finger snaps; tape loops
- Mal Evans– bass drum, backing vocals
- Anil Bhagwat – tabla
- Peter Coe, Alan Branscombe– tenor saxophone
- Eddie Thornton, Ian Hammer, Les Condon – trumpet
- Alan Civil– French horn
- Geoff Emerick- tape loops of the marching band
- George Martin– piano, Hammond organ, tape loops of the marching band
- Tony Gilbert, Sidney Sax, John Sharpe, Jurgen Hess
- Stephen Shingles, John Underwood – viola
- Derek Simpson, Norman Jones – cello
- Brian Jones – backing vocals
- Donovan– backing vocals
- Marianne Faithfull– backing vocals
- Neil Aspinall– backing vocals
- Pattie Boyd– backing vocals
Track listing
All tracks by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, except where noted.
- Taxman – George Harrison
- Eleanor Rigby
- I’m Only Sleeping
- Love You To – George Harrison
- Here, There and Everywhere
- Yellow Submarine
- She Said She Said
- Good Day Sunshine
- And Your Bird Can Sing
- For No One
- Doctor Robert
- I Want To Tell You – George Harrison
- Got To Get You Into My Life
- Tomorrow Never Knows
Billy Preston
On June 6, 2006, William Everett “Billy” Preston, died aged 59. He was musician (keyboards, Hammond organ), Grammy-winning artist, recorded and performed with some of the greatest names in the modern music history, including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, Little Richard, Ray Charles, George Harrison, Elton John, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan. Preston also had a successful solo career, his best known songs include “That’s the way God planned it”, “Outa-Space”, “Will it go round in circles”, “Space Race”, and “Nothing from nothing”.
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