George Martin, Beatles Producer, Has Died

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Sir George Martin, the iconic producer best known for his work with the Beatles, has died. Ringo Starr confirmed the news on Twitter. He was 90. 

Martin, who earned the nickname "the Fifth Beatle," gave the Beatles their first recording contract and produced virtually all of their music (aside from the work Phil Spector did on Let It Be). He was born in London in 1926, and after leaving the Navy in 1947, he studied piano and oboe. In the 1950s, he recorded jazz, lounge, and comedy records for Parlophone, where he eventually became head of A&R. He was a prolific producer beyond his work with the Beatles, winning several Grammy Awards over the years. He was knighted in 1996.

via Evan Minsker