George Martin Dead: Beatles’ Producer And Arranger Was 90

It’s a dark day for music. George Martin, known as the “Fifth Beatle,” has passed away at 90. Ringo Starr made the announcement that his producer, arranger and friend of over fifty years made the announcement to the world on Twitter.

Martin signed The Beatles to EMI Parlophone Records when the company was primarily focused on jazz and comedy albums. He met the fab four, and guided them to greatness by working on almost every single song they created.

Long after John, Paul, George and Ringo split up, George Martin kept a watchful eye and ear on the music they created together, overseeing the Anthology release in the mid-90’s. He then produced and remixed over 130 Beatles songs with his son for 2006’s Beatles Love for the Cirque Du Soleil, which contained a new orchestral arrangement he wrote for George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”

His legacy will never be forgotten, with 23 No. 1 singles in the U.S. and 30 in the U.K., he created some of the most beautiful and striking arrangements in music history. Music that’s still being devoured today.

(Via Hollywood Reporter)