In 1947 he left military service to pursue his love of music. After studying classical composition at London's Guildhall School of Music and playing the oboe as a professional musician, he entered the British recording industry in 1950.
He was engaged as the assistant to the head of Parlophone Records - then a small label within Britain's EMI Music group. His position entailed working as a combination of A&R executive and record producer, which was then a very rare breed in the British industry. His principal task was recording classical and baroque music. However, he also showed a keen aptitude for jazz and pop music, and when his boss retired in 1955, he was appointed head of the label. He was paid the princely sum of $3,000 per year -- with no royalties on his productions or bonuses based on the performance of his work or signings. (An arrangement that prevailed through the first three years of The Beatles' collosal success.)
Between 1955 and 1962, he carved out a niche for himself and the Parlophone label in two comparatively neglected areas of the British record industry. Unable to compete with rival labels which boasted top American stars or Britain's few home-grown pop artists, Martin recorded top jazz acts such as Cleo Laine, John Dankworth, Humphrey Lyttelton and Stan Getz. His other area of expertise provided the surprising bond that cemented the improbable relationship between the young Beatles and the comparatively older producer when they met. Martin became the preeminent producer of comedy recordings in Britain. His credits included recordings with Peter Ustinov, Peter Sellers, Britain's new satirical heroes Beyond the Fringe, and several other British comedic pioneers who were to influence Monty Python: Spike Milligan, Flanders & Swann and CARRY ON... movie star Bernard Cribbins.
In May 1962, Martin met Brian Epstein, The Beatles' manager. Epstein had been turned down by every other British label. Martin sensed a potential in the tapes that Epstein played him and agreed to give the group a recording test. The Beatles were immediately deeply impressed by Martin's comedy producing background, and a warm rapport and creative bond was forged that would change the world.
Martin became known as the "fifth Beatle", and between 1962 and 1970, under Martin's enlightened nurturing, The Beatles blossomed from promising but derivative provincial pop group to becoming the architects and practitioners of a new culture. Together, they transformed all notions of popular music and the way it was recorded. Martin produced all but of one of the group's timeless albums.
In the UK Martin has a record 30 number one singles credited to his name. During over five decades as a producer, Martin has worked with such artists as America, Peter Gabriel, Sting and Elton John. One of Martin's most recent accomplishments was producing and writing the score for "Candle in the Wind '97," Elton John's tribute to Princess Diana, and the 1997 All-Star Concert for Montserrat. Martin was inducted into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
Martin has composed four film scores, THE FAMILY WAY, LIVE AND LET DIE, YELLOW SUBMARINE, and A HARD DAY'S NIGHT, which was nominated for an Academy Award. In addition to that award he has also received five Grammys and a Lifetime Achievement Award from NARAS. In 1998 Martin added to his discography with the release of In My Life. This farewell album features several Beatles tunes performed by famous musicians and actors with Martin serving as producer and arranger. Although Martin has reportedly retired from the music industry he still runs AIR Studios in London.
Nominated for Music Scoring Awards (Scoring of Music Adaptation or Treatment) 1964: A HARD DAY'S NIGHT
1 nomination