So what would the Beatles have been without him? Probably not even discovered.

Back in 1962 the general consensus of opinion was that Rock Music and guitar based bands had had their day. All the jolly Rockers (Like Cliff, Marty and Billy) were moving into soft crooning ballads. Nobody wanted a raw, rough, scruffy Rock Band.

The Beatles had been touted round the record labels, been rejected by Decca after a mediocre audition, and EMI were their last chance.

It was iffy. But George Martin must have seen something. He took a chance on them.

That first album was really their stage act. A virtual live studio recording of the R&B and Rock ‘n’ Roll (plus Paul’s odd standard) that made up their live performances. It had the odd one of their own compositions. It was George who gave them their head in the studio. It was George who recognised the worth of their rudimentary songwriting abilities and allowed them to put out first Love Me Do and then Please, Please Me.

It’s easy, looking back, to see how good they were and what potential they had. But I bet it wasn’t easy back then. They were not a polished unit. Those early compositions were great but did they stand out? They needed a touch of faith.

It was George who had that faith. He stuck his neck out.

George was quite a staid, conservative character, and not at all like the wild scousers. He was cultured and from a different region of society. Yet he was a brilliant producer and struck up a rapport with them that was special and unique for the time.

It was George who allowed them access to the production side. He worked with them to assist in the development of their music so that they progressed from simple R&B to the more progress, psychedelic songs of the later sixties. He didn’t have to. The Beatles were probably pressing for it but he could have kept them out. That relationship was crucial. He was one of the ingredients that kept the Beatles at the forefront of what was going on. He helped them move to a new level of Rock that was a million miles away from those early songs.

George probably had to put up with a lot. There was the notorious pot and LSD, the politics and social stuff. It was probably quite foreign to his world, nd yet he did not allow it to intrude into his relationship. They accepted each other for what they were. He did not even fall out with them when they brought in Spector for Let It Be. That’s the measure of the man.

They called him the fifth Beatle. Well another one has gone and be sadly missed. But we have the music and the legacy.

Thanks George – you faith and vision gave us the Beatles and a whole new world!

If you enjoy my writing on Rock Music you might like to have a look at my books on Rock Music:

In Search of Captain Beefheart

537 Essential Rock Albums pt. 1

Rock Routes

Opher’s World Tributes to Rock Geniuses

Or have a look at all my other books:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Opher-Goodwin/e/B00MSHUX6Y/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1457528209&sr=1-2-ent