Tributes have been pouring in from around the world after the death was announced of Sir George Martin. The British music producer, best known for his work with the Beatles, died at home at the age of 90.Sir George was always too modest to accept the widely used nickname “the fifth Beatle,” but he played a key role in making a Liverpudlian band into the most successful group of all time, and many of the tributes make reference to him as effectively the unseen member of the act.Ringo Starr, the band’s drummer, broke the news to the world on social media. He said: “God bless George Martin peace and love to Judy and his family love Ringo and Barbara. George will be missed.”Paul McCartney put out a statement in which he said: “The world has lost a truly great man who left an indelible mark on my soul and the history of British music. God bless you George and all who sail in you! He was the most generous, intelligent and musical person I've ever had the pleasure to know.”Also joining the tributes was the UK Prime Minister David Cameron. He tweeted that Martin “was a giant of music — working with the Fab Four to create the world’s most enduring pop music.”Sean Ono Lennon, the son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, posted a picture of George on Instragram and said: “R.I.P. George Martin. I’m so gutted I don't have many words. Thinking of Judy and Giles and family. Love Always, Sean.”Singer Lenny Kravitz wrote on Twitter: “The legends are really going home!” TV presenter Piers Morgan said: “RIP Sir George Martin. The 5th Beatle, producer extraordinaire & a musical genius.”A common theme to the tributes flooding in is the acknowledgement the sophisticated Londoner was able to develop a friendship and working relationship with the younger working class northerners and therefore able to make some of the most creative music of the 1960s.Martin often had to respond to requests from his young charges which seemed near-impossible. Paul McCartney wanted to have the sounds of “an orchestra freaking out” on “A Day in the Life” and the classically trained producer was able to deliver.Martin made more than 700 records during a long career. While few of them matched the success of the Beatles, he worked with artists as varied as Celine Dion, Ultravox, Neil Sedaka and America.
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