George Martin, who died Tuesday at the age of 90, may be a little less known than the rest of The Beatles, but the record producer’s impact on the band was beyond measure.

Before harnessing the genre-altering band, he produced mostly symphonic and chamber recordings; a skill that he would bring to much of The Beatles’ later work.

Milo Miles, a music critic for Fresh Air, joins Here & Now’s Robin Young for a look back at the legendary music producer.

Songs In This Segment

  • “Let It Be” by The Beatles, from the album “Let it Be” (1970)
  • “Goldfinger” by Shirley Bassey, from “Goldfinger” the soundtrack (1964)
  • “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles, from the album “Meet the Beatles!” (1964)
  • “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles, from the album “Yellow Submarine” (1966)
  • “Hello Goodbye” by The Beatles, from the album “Magical Mystery Tour” (1967)

Correction: “Let It Be” was produced by Phil Spector, not George Martin. We regret the error.

Guest

  • Milo Miles, Fresh Air’s world-music and American-roots music critic.
Copyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit NPR.

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