Legendary Beatles producer Sir George Martin has died at the age of 90.
The death of the record producer, known as the "fifth Beatle," was announced by Ringo Starr, who led tributes on Twitter by announcing how much he would miss his former colleague.
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
"God bless George Martin peace and love to Judy and his family love Ringo and Barbara George will be missed xxx," the drummer wrote on Tuesday, March 8.
John Lennon's son Sean Lennon was quick to respond. "R.I.P. George Martin. I'm so gutted I don't have many words," he wrote. "Thinking of Judy and Giles and family. Love Always, Sean."
R.I.P. George Martin. I'm so gutted I don't have many words. Thinking of Judy and Giles and… https://t.co/3Nc8sCgRpN
— Sean Ono Lennon (@seanonolennon) March 9, 2016
Martin was the man who first signed The Beatles to Parlophone in 1962 after several other labels had turned them down. He produced all but one of their albums.
Adam Sharp, who represented both Martin and his son Giles, said in a statement: “We can confirm that Sir George Martin passed away peacefully at home yesterday evening, Tuesday 8 March. The family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and messages of support.”
“In a career that spanned seven decades he was recognized globally as one of music’s most creative talents and a gentleman to the end. The family ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”
Martin is survived by his wife, Judy, their children, Lucie and Giles, and his children from his first marriage to Sheena Chisholm, Alexis and Gregory Paul.