There’s no question that The Beatles introduced new styles of writing, performing, and especially recording music in the early 1960s. Much of their success comes from the hands of George Martin, the record producer who crafted the inimitable sound of The Beatles. Otherwise known as the “fifth Beatle,” Sir George Martin was the first producer who helped shape the Beatles’ incredible body of work over the course of seven years. A new book by Kenneth Womack, Maximum Volume: The Life of Beatles Producer George Martin, traces the early life and career of Sir George Martin, and is currently on bookshelves today as Martin’s first-ever biography.
It was in the summer of 1962 that the Beatles pulled up to EMI on Abbey Road with their beat-up gear, shaggy hair and Liverpool accents to play for the record label. This was the recording session where Sir George first heard the songs “Love Me Do,” “P.S. I Love You” and “Ask Me Why.” Although George wasn’t exactly impressed with their musical skill and quickly became exasperated with the band’s seeming lack of studio professionalism, he was instantly charmed by their wit and charisma. That day in June marked the beginning of a groundbreaking partnership that would influence popular music for years to come.
Source: Kendall Deflin