56 Questions
What was George Martin's role in making famous Beatles songs musically?
Producer and musician
During which war did George Martin enlist in the Royal Navy?
World War Two
Where did George Martin receive a veterans grant and attend?
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Which drummer did George Martin replace Pete Best with?
Ringo Starr
Who did George Martin work closely with in production, forming a symbiotic relationship?
Giles Martin
In whose opinion did George Martin leave an indelible mark?
Paul McCartney
What is George Martin commonly referred to as?
The Fifth Beatle
In which year did the album 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' win a Grammy Award for Album of the Year?
1967
Which of the following statements about George Martin is true?
He played piano or keyboards on a number of the Beatles' records.
At what age did George Martin compose his first piano piece, 'The Spider's Dance'?
8
Where did George Martin study piano and oboe after the war?
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
What instrument did George Martin play in local bands to earn money after graduating from Guildhall?
Oboe
Which label did George Martin join as an assistant in November 1950?
Parlophone
Which artist's instrumental cover produced by George Martin made it to no. 3 on the British charts in 1953?
Sidney Torch
"Despite these early breakthroughs, Martin resented EMI's preference in the early 1950s for which type of records instead of the new longer-playing formats?"
78 rpm records
"What was George Martin's primary instrument of study during his time at Guildhall?"
"Piano"
How was George Martin influenced during his time with a locally popular dance band?
By George Shearing and Meade Lux Lewis.
What was the reason for Martin's desperation to issue 'She Loves You' on the small, independent Swan Records?
Capitol Records refused to release the Beatles' first four singles in the US.
Why did Martin and the Beatles resent Capitol's treatment of their records?
Capitol altered Martin's mixes of Beatles tracks using mock stereo system.
What major change occurred in the treatment of Beatle albums when the band signed a new contract with EMI in January 1967?
Capitol stopped issuing records divergent from British releases.
What was one of the key reasons for Martin's departure from EMI in August 1965?
He was not offered a commission on record sales by EMI.
What did Martin name his new company modeled on the Associated London Scripts cooperative of comedy writers?
Associated Independent Recording (AIR)
What business arrangement did Martin negotiate with EMI for AIR records?
EMI paid a 5% producer's royalty on any AIR record by an artist not signed to EMI.
What was the reaction of the music press to Martin's departure from EMI and foundation of AIR?
'Major news' and a 'shock to the recording industry'.
How did Wood attempt to lure Martin back to EMI in 1969?
$25,000 salary offered as an increment from previous years.
What was the first British no. 1 hit produced by George Martin at Parlophone?
You're Driving Me Crazy
Which Liverpool music act was the first to have their first three singles top the charts under George Martin's production?
Gerry and the Pacemakers
What was the initial reaction in the UK to Paul Hanford's cover of 'Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini' produced by George Martin?
It failed to chart in Britain
What was the Beatles' Cavern Club associate whom George Martin agreed to sign with Parlophone?
Cilla Black
Which song, produced by George Martin, became the top-selling British single by a female artist in the 1960s?
You're My World
What did George Martin produce for Paul Gadd in 1961, who later became known as Gary Glitter?
'I'll Keep You Satisfied'
Which Liverpool music act released 'Ferry Cross the Mersey' under George Martin's production?
Gerry and the Pacemakers
What instrument did George Martin struggle to add to Parlophone's repertoire?
'fireproof' hit-making pop artist or group
In what year did George Martin collaborate with Maddalena Fagandini to create two electronic singles released as records by Ray Cathode?
1962
'Nellie the Elephant', a well-known children's song, was produced by George Martin in which year?
1956
'Hello Little Girl' and 'I'm In Love', both covers of Lennon–McCartney songs, were released under George Martin's production by which music act?
The Fourmost
Which Liverpool music act's first single under George Martin's production was a cover of a Beatles song?
Billy J. Kramer and The Dakotas
What was the name of the spoof album that George Martin issued on his label Parlophone?
Bridge on the River Wye
Which BBC radio comedy stars did George Martin work with on a parody version of 'Unchained Melody'?
The Goons
What was the title of the first British comedy LP created in a recording studio, recognized for its critical and commercial successes?
The Best of Sellers
What effect did George Martin frequently use on comedy records to experiment with recording techniques, which was also used on several Beatles records?
Recording magnetic tape at half-speed and then playing it back at normal speed
What did George Martin seek but fail to obtain in his three-year contract renewal in 1959?
A royalty on Parlophone's record sales
Who was George Martin's rival A&R director at EMI's Columbia Records label?
Norrie Paramor
What American recording company did EMI purchase in 1955 which caused conflicts for George Martin and his EMI A&R colleagues?
Capitol Records
What did George Martin advocate for regarding the Beatles' royalty rate?
Raising it without conditions
'In My Life' by the Beatles features which experimental effect used by George Martin?
Sped-up piano solo using tape loops
'That Was the Week That Was' was a satirical BBC TV show produced by David Frost, recorded in front of which type of audience?
'Live audience'
'An African Incident' was a 1957 episode of which popular radio show featuring Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers?
'The Goon Show'
What river is referenced in the spoof album 'Bridge on the River Wye'?
The River Wye
What was the royalty rate agreed upon for the Beatles' recording contract with Parlophone?
One penny for each record sold on 85% of records
Which song did Martin consider 'dreary' and in need of being sped up during the early Beatles sessions?
Please Please Me
Who was asked to play tambourine and maracas during the recording of 'Love Me Do'?
Ringo Starr
What did George Harrison reply when asked if there was anything he personally did not like during the recording session?
'I don't like your tie.'
What suggestion did George Martin make after 'Love Me Do' steadily climbed in the British charts?
Record a full album (LP)
Who did George Martin consider to be 'probably the finest rock drummer in the world today'?
Ringo Starr
What song did Martin direct Epstein to find a good publisher for?
'How Do You Do It'
Study Notes
- George Martin, producer and musician, played significant role in making famous Beatles songs musically
- Enlisted in Royal Navy during World War Two, became aerial observer and commissioned officer
- Received veterans grant, attended Guildhall School of Music and Drama
- Began publishing music, experimented with strange sound effects
- First impression of Beatles was not positive
- Gave them an hour in the studio, initially unconvinced by their music
- Replaced Pete Best with Ringo and had session drummer Andy White play on Love Me Do
- Charm and charisma of the Beatles won him over
- Produced numerous Beatles songs, began to lose hearing later in life
- Worked closely with son Giles Martin, began symbiotic relationship in production
- Prideful of his work, saw his contribution differently than fans
- left an indelible mark on Paul McCartney and British music
- Paul McCartney: "George Martin left an indelible mark on my soul and the history of British music. He was the most generous, intelligent and musical person I have ever had the pleasure to know."
Test your knowledge on the influential role of George Martin in producing and shaping the music of the Beatles. Learn about his journey from the Royal Navy to becoming a renowned producer, and his lasting impact on British music.
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