Sir George Martin is a Grammy winning producer, conductor, composer, arranger and musician, famous for his ability to turn out successful records. Sir George Henry Martin was born on January 3, 1926 in Highbury, North London. His interest in music developed very early.
He started to learn how to play the piano at the age of eight and has been enamoured by music ever since. He was only able to get formal lessons for a few months he was forced quit the lessons. That didn’t deter his interest in music.
In 1943, at the age of 17, he joined Britain’s Fleet Air Arm, which was the aviation unit of the British Navy. Eventually, he rose through the ranks and became a commissioned officer. In 1947, he left the Navy and went on to study classical music from London’s Guildhall School of Music.
Sir George is considered one of the most successful producers of all time. While he has worked with many artists like Cilla Black, The Who, Elton John, Celine Dion, etc., he is most known for his collaboration with The Beatles. He was the one who helped launch the iconic band.
He has 30 #1 Hit Singles in UK and 23 #1 Hit Singles in the United States. With a career of over sixty years, Sir George’s contribution to music industry is considered invaluable.
Sir George Martin Parents
Sir George was born to a working-class family, his father being a carpenter and his mother was a homemaker. His family was underprivileged and his complete education was financed by scholarships. They weren’t a musically familiarized family and when they acquired a piano, Sir George had to wait for two years to get lessons.
Hardworking and realists, Sir George’s parents didn’t believe that a career in music was something he should focus on. When he enlisted in the Navy, his mother was upset, fearing for his life and after he left, she encouraged him to find a regular steady job.
Sir George Martin Spouses
Sir George married Sheena Chisholm, his first wife who was a Wren, i.e., she served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service and whom he met her when he was in the Navy. They married on his 22nd birthday, in 1948. According to all accounts, she was a staunch backer of him through his early struggles to make his career. Their marriage collapsed five years after the birth of their second child and they separated.
In 1966, Sir George married his second wife, Judy Lockhart Smith. Judy worked as an assistant to Oscar Preuss, who ran Parlophone for EMI. Judy was the one who encouraged Sir George to make a vital shift in his career and move away from performing to recording. She is the director of Young Person’s Concert Foundation and has been honoured for her work in the music industry.
Sir George Martin Children
With Sheena, Sir George has two children, Alexis and Gregory. Alexis was a court stenographer and Gregory is a recently published author.
With Judy, he has two children, Lucy, who is in marketing, and Giles, who is an in-house producer for the giant Sony. He also has a grandson, Conner Martin.
Sir George Martin Net worth
Sir George’s net worth is $400 million.