Why George Martin is mourned as 5th Beatle, McCartney’s ‘2nd dad’

Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr — the surviving Beatles — led an outpouring of love and grief for the passing of their legendary producer of their groundbreaking early albums: Sir George Martin.

Martin, 90, died “peacefully at home” Tuesday in England, according to Adam Sharp, the founder of C A Management that represents the music producer.

As CNN reported:

“Martin worked with countless others over a career that spanned decades, including Peter Sellers, Shirley Bassey, America, Cheap Trick, Jeff Beck and Celine Dion. But his fame, and his influence, rests on the seven years he spent with the Beatles, the most successful group in music history — a group Martin helped propel to the top spot with his musical expertise, tasteful arrangements and willing experimentation.”

For Paul McCartney, Martin was “like a second father to me.”

“The world has lost a truly great man…” Paul McCartney on George Martin: https://t.co/M2ySCKfisO pic.twitter.com/dDE5cm2F0a

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) March 9, 2016

God bless George Martin peace and love to Judy and his family love Ringo and Barbara George will be missed xxx ?✌️??☮

— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) March 9, 2016