An in-depth appreciation and analysis of The Beatles' music by classical composer Howard Goodall can be found here: ua-cam.com/video/ZQS91wVdvYc/v-deo.html
Seemed pretty clean too,likely only grass. Always loved John wore hats-(caps). Great story he said, during "Mania" times. He walked in the shop where he bought all his caps, up to and during the HELP MOVIE and said " I come for me comission".
One of John's more reasonable and honest appraisals of Martin's contribution. There were times, particularly in the first few years after the breakup where John was a right miserable bastard on the topic of George Martin, which I gather did hurt Martin's feelings, as he was rightfully proud of the work he did with The Beatles. I know they did meet again a few years before John's death, and John did apologize for some of the nastier things he had said.
The interviews I've heard John was upset by people giving George Martin too much credit. Ans yes it was right around the break-up. Childhood friends who changed the world were breaking out on their own. I'm sure there was a lot of emotion and disagreements, etc. John did apologize which is something he didn't do very often.
He was a miserable bastard about George Martin in the early 70's indeed. And about Paul, and many other people. It's bizarre really. I'm not sure it can be ecplained by something other than some mental issue. Look how different his attitude is here...
George Martin in the later years had too much control and output when Paul, john, and George were peeking at there songwriting abilities. Their last 3 albums could of been way better if they had more control over the albums
Good point, but reading the Beatles Anthology there wasn't an abundance of energy being given by George or John towards being a part of the band which opened the door for someone with Paul's work, work work ethics to take over
Based on your personal experience working with Martin? Always amazes me how fans of any celebrity think they actual know and understand the inner workings, feelings, and motivations of their heroes.
@@generalyellor8188 don’t be an asshole. I was offering an opinion based on what I heard in the interview, plus based on interviews I’ve heard with George Martin.
@@commanderjoj6426 I suspect Mr. Yellow may just be unfamiliar with the term “impression” in this context. Maybe it’s got out of date or something. It’s the thing comedians do when they imitate the voice and gestures of some famous politician or actor for comic effect. (That’s for Mr. Yellow’s benefit only, of course.) Anyway, I agree about the impression and wish it had gone on longer.
You remove Sir George Martin, or Brian Epstein or even Geoff Emerick from the equation and who knows how different their run might've been. A snapshot in time where the right people were in the right places at the right time. Life is like that.
with all those great people in the right place at the right time, ironically you also end up with a bunch of not-so-great people on the other side of the coin who were at the wrong place at the wrong time in the same story...Yoko Ono, Allen Klein, Mark Chapman...
Once the Beatles left the three guitars and drum format and brought in different instruments and sound effects they grew exponentially and they have George Martin to thank for that.
@@us-Bahn Guitars are guitars. How they are played in the context of the music is another thing. And one doesn't have to be playing lead, and the other rhythm. Look at Duane and Dickey, they both played lead simultaneously sometimes, US-Bhanny boy.
Truly a match made in heaven. Along with the amazingly fortunate coincidence of those particular four guys in the same town, meeting and getting together to write and play music!
Not exactly. The Beatles usually-or often, at least-didn’t know quite what they wanted, and George Martin often, at least, didn’t know quite how to achieve it. They were breaking new ground together. That’s what made it exciting-exciting for them and exciting for us.
It was the perfect combination. Two geniuses bringing high quality raw material to the studio and a great producer with knowledge in orchestration and instruments. The recording-only phase of the group, the one producing one masterpiece after the other, cannot be understood without George Martin.
Most people place Eppy (Brian Epstein) as the 5th Beatle. Even the Beatle's said it. John said that after they lost him he knew the band would not last.
What you say is true but Sir George made a unique and important musical contribution which helped to define the sound of The Beatles on record and so he gets my vote over Brian Epstein as being deserving of the title 'The 5th Beatle'
junaid1 No disrespect, but I don’t think most do. Epstein went above and beyond as a manager, which is really to be expected for a band as above and beyond as The Beatles. The creativity is what drove everything. I would argue that Martin had more to do with the band’s success than George or Ringo did. Paul and John are #1 and 2 (whichever order you like), George Martin is #3, Harrison #4, Ringo #5 (all were/are incredible)
I'd completely agree with that although I'd add that changed in the years they were producing albums. Initially Lennon would be number one because he primarily wrote the early hits and had the most unique voice. Later McCartney took over being number one and it became more his band. Lennon's output lessened and Harrison's quality dramatically increased in both his song writing, playing and tone. Ringo was an amazing "melodic" drummer for the Beatles who came into his own with each passing album. So I think your assessment is completely correct until the last few albums where I'd label McCartney as 1, Lennon as 2, Harrison 3, Ringo 4 and Martin 5 as I feel, as their studio prowess grew, Martin's role had gone from mentor/teacher/interpreter to a job many producers could have done (on the final few albums). But then that's just my humble opinion on what I hear musically and have read. I personally enjoy Lennon's music the most.
that was a great answer from John who as I remember could be a bit caustic , but to admit it was not easy for the beatles or George Martin was cool and honest thanks George rip and John rip.
Yeah. John would be caustic when he wasn't in a good place, mentally. When he wass, he was like you see him here. The difference between what he says in this interview and the 1970 RS interview is really striking.
@@red-eyedmagister1595 Was he f*ck. He got scolded by the press after his 'bigger than janus' comments from which he developed a deep mistrust of the press. At the end of the 60s he dabbled with heroin and that was at the time that the Beatles split, so yeah he wanted to turn his back on the whole Beatles thing, as did Paul with Wings. He then went to the USA where he spent several years trying to fight his deportation... no wonder he got pissed at times. In his last interviews he sounded buoyant once again. After his death, the media then tried to create rifts between Paul and George when reality is they were like bros.
I’ve seen Ringo say, “We didn’t know anything about proper recording work. George didn’t know anything about rock and roll music. We just all learned together.”
@@alexz4752 If you didn't aware of, John in the 70s made loads of ruckus with anyone related to the Beatles, i.e., he was being an animous dickhead. So, it was rather a surprise that he *actually* complimented someone of the Beatles without any bitterness at all
*"Slowing down the piano, playing it slow, and putting it on"* I think he's talking about _In My Life_ , where Martin played the piano slow, then sped it up to sound like a harpsichord. Martin wrote that solo, too. Perfect.
George Martin also did that on "Misery" from their first album as well, though it's less obvious that the piano is sped up. I read he did it while they were touring after their big session, so they may not have known until the record came out that George had done that...
The piano solos for “Good Day Sunshine” and “Lovely Rita” were performed slower then sped up as well… I don’t believe John was thinking about any song(s) in particular, he was just making a point.
Lennon is not famous for being fair to his collaborators, but this is an admirably fair and nuanced (and, as far as I know, accurate) assessment of the highly complex relationship of The Beatles and Martin.
The Beatles were a primitive rock band before Martin. He was a highly sophisticated pianist who added many of the subtle touches to the Beatles’ Music. He taught them a great deal.
There's no doubt George Martin added a lot, but we shouldn't overstate his importance. Martin worked with a shit-ton of other bands and singers, and none of them came close to being as good as the Beatles. It's not like the Beatles were an air-headed boy band that George Martin controlled like a Svengali. I think it's fair to call him "the fifth Beatle."
On "In my life", they simply asked Martin to make up the "harpsichord" solo all on his own. That's not some "engineering" task, that's creating the actual music
Ha! My parents were born in the 1920s and despised the Beatles. "Just too gimmicky." They eventually admitted that they had "some talent," but were never fans. My dad, who had a great appreciation for most all kinds of music (Big Band Era, Classical, some country), loved Procol Harum's "Whaling Stories," but never really liked the Beatles.
This was recorded on 17 March 1975. John got back with Yoko in early 1975 and got on well with Bob Harris, so was in a good mood. It's my favorite Lennon interview because it reveals such positive aspects of his personality. It leaves you really wanting to be his pal.
I agree. John was either bitter or very aprehensive in most of his interviews (specially the ones not much after The Beatles' breakup). He was in very good mood here and came to terms with his former band. Somehow, George Harrison could never overcome the causes of the breakup and remained bitter until his last days. Cheers and Happy Holidays.
Being a songwriter and drummer, I've become to really appreciate George Martin's unique contributions to The Beatles. They were from very diverse musical backgrounds, Martin being a trained classical musician that could read and score music and The Beatles that were self-taught musicians, none of which could read music. They were an odd combination, however, their diversity allowed them the ability to learn and experiment with each other. Martin was instrumental (no pun intended) in the development of Sgt. Pepper and many other songs that required a complex musical knowledge like Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields, All You Need is Love, In My Life, etc. Perhaps Martin's greatest gift to music was the wisdom to allow " the boys " to develop and grow as musicians, and especially writers, without too much interference.
Very well put. They were sort of like an English Garden. Structure and Chaos coming together. Someone too steeped in the classical tradition isn't likely to bust through conventions. Someone too ignorant of musical theory won't know how to make it happen and won't impose useful boundaries.
Fully agree. Perhaps the greatest contribution Martin made to the Beatles was steering them gently without being overbearing or stifling the creative force they were. To the contrary, he helped them blossom. Another producer would've attempted to bully them into submission, which was the standard practice in those days. Perhaps they would've gotten 3 or 4 successful guitar albums out of them and that would've been it. Being a very down-to-earth kind of guy, he was still sensitive enough to know real talent when he saw it.
John meant a lot to me as a young man. As I've grown older, my appreciation for Paul and Ringo far exceed the esteem I once held him in. They are all human after all. Some better than others, like everyone else.
It may be the case that Ringo and Paul were given the chance to. John was taken early in his life, he may well have surpassed both of them but we will never know unfortunately. What a shame, incredible man.
A great interview by Whispering Bob.....respectful and a question many of us are interested in..... Finding John in a cooperative mood giving a meaningful answer makes this a moving and illuminating film clip.... The fascination with the creative process is eternal... So glad synchronicity occurred in such a momentous fashion when George Martin met and decided to do all in his power to bring out the best in The Beatles......
John and Paul really were so similar in telling their stories in providing dislogue and a whole range of different accents which is really endearing.. Like two peas on a pod that way.
0:58 until 1: 13 He really speaks the same way as Paul McCartney, imitating voices and recreating dialogues and making the Beatles sound like innocent boys. I always thought Paul was colouring history his way, making things sound more cute than they were, so it's a revelation seeing John speaking just like Paul. I've never heard him speaking like this before. It also becomes more believable that they were close friends, who were on the same wavelength, and not just partners who shared passed away mothers and musical gifts. Not just two opposites who formed a great team, who supported each other, who competed to bring out the best in themselves as well as the other - but also real friends. Paul McCartney has always stated they were true friends, but I've never really s e e n this friendship before. Somehow, I always had my doubts (John tough, sarcastic and ironic, and Paul mellow, accomodating and eager to please).
For John, I think it was really more of a creative relationship with Paul, centered in the work. Ringo was actually his closest 'friend' in the Beatles. I mean he would hang out with Ringo and go on vacations together. He rarely did that with Paul in downtime (during the active years.) Paul does revise history regularly and Ringo and George commented about this many times. He's always been the PR guy and as such, can't resist putting a spin on things (usually to make himself look better).
@@timothysullysullivan2571 John and Paul were very close when they were young and discovered a mutual interest in songwriting. They even went off on holiday together with the money John got from relatives in Edinburgh for his 21st. Sure John had other friends too, but Lennon and McCartney's friendship ran far deeper than simply a creative relationship.
@@timothysullysullivan2571 The Beatles went through a lot in the sixties and they were confined to one anothers company a lot of the time. John met Yoko, Paul met Linda and they grew apart. It happens, I have friends from my teens and twenties who I now never see, but we do keep in touch from time to time. John was murdered over forty years ago so we'll never know where their relationship may have gone had he survived. Anyway, I'm talking about the period between 1957 - 1969, so what they did after that time is pretty much irrelevant to my point.
Sir Geroge Martin was the fifth Beatle and he deserves much more credit. He wrote so much of the actual music as wasn't egotistical about it like they were.
ever since i read that george martin suggested the opening instrumental tag, the abbreviated verse melody, of "please please me", i understood his contribution was more significant than i knew because i think of that as actual songwriting input
Without diminishing the Beatles's talent it's pretty obvious that an accomplished musician like Martin, plus his qualities as a man, gave to the band an immense help in the musical composition.
Working as an artist for many years, being a producer and working with amateurs and other professionals, it’s quite obvious how amazing George Martin was. He was as inventive in risk taking as the band members, and had a strong vision for each album and how to direct the strengths of each band member.
I think, from this reading, that John deemphasizes the role of Martin wildly, as I suspect so many musicians do of their producers. Listen to any Beatles recording, and it's blazingly obvious that there was an additional hand at work, making everything mesh, creating a mood, adding color, texture, narrative arc to fairly raw material to begin with. I imagine it may have made the lads a little insecure to talk publicly about his role, but to their good fortune, Martin was a reticent genius, comfortable enough at staying in the background and enjoying the fruits of their unique collaboration.
George Martin's musical influence on the Beatles deserves recognition. The Elizabethan piano solo on In my Life, the string arrangement on Yesterday, the opening chord of Hard Day's Night. These and many more contributions to the coloring of their compositions made them unique and iconoclastic songs.
Iconic, yes ;) You, me and countless others agree that Sir George Martin was, in practice, the fifth Beatle. Having said that, he wasn't an ingredient in Lennon/McCartney's creative crucible - a crucible which spawned musical genius. He was undoubtedly a big influence, and as Lennon says here, he educated the band in musical forms, instruments, they'd had little knowledge of. It was a serendipitous confluence of talent, the likes of which has never been seen since in my opinion.
Fascinating man and fantastic band! George Martin and the Beatles bounced off each other, his involvement fine tuned a band of incredible talent and together they made history 👌
I was too a bit astonish because Goodall ignored George Martin, but then I remember the deconstruction of Strawberry Fields in an album by George Martin. I always thought that the song complexity came after Martin, but god I was shocked listening to John singing the song with just a guitar, and the full composition was there. A f... guitar and his incredible voice, there you have it.
Just finished George M's book again.. :-). John said to George that he would have liked to record all the Beatles songs again, and George said, "even Strawberry Fields?" and John said "especially Strawberry Fields". George said the first time he heard it, there were a couple of introductory chords on the guitar and they were straight in. George said there was a feeling of luminescence and that he was spellbound and in love. He said he wished he had taken the very first run through on tape and released it like that........but of course John rejected Take 1.
The lennon comment is his very best imo "esp strawberry fields" the final result is light years behind what he had in his head and what he spent months banging away on in almeria.That production worked excellently for Penny lane which is pop perfection but lennon was after something very ethereal, they made a balls of it i think.
George Martin was definitely the fifth Beatle, you've only got to hear his work with other musical artists such as America for instance to where the Beatles got their sound. Martin was only too happy to help these talented guys with their musical journey. Five very gifted guys who worked hand in hand with each other with the utmost respect.
And why dont we say Martin was the fourth member of América.? And hear his work with Gerry & The Pacemakers,Billy Kramer & The Dakotas or The Fourmost.
We all know that the Beatles were uniquely talented. Fate also provided them with superb collaborators like George Martin, Norman Smith and Geoff Emerick. Nice to see John Lennon's acknowledgement of Mr. Martin's significant contributions here.
When you find out the role George Martin played on songs like Walrus, Strawberry Fields, Tomorrow Never Knows and Mr Kite, you realize how good he was. Those songs would've been an absolute mess with most other producers. His input on Day in the Life was pivotal. McCartney's idea for the crescendos just didn't work - it was George Martin who had the key to that. Read/Listen to the story of Dave Gilmour and Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights, to find out how crucial a producer is to a song. Gilmour suggested Kate and her song to a number of excellent producers of the day and none of them could make it work. George Martin was the same with the Beatles. Even his work on Please Please Me, turned that song from run-of-the-mill to number one material.
This is one of the best interviews with Lennon, done at a time when he had escaped the orbit of Yoko, during that nearly two year separation that is deceptively referred to as the “lost weekend”. He was free to speak, meeting with old and new friends, making music. Soon thereafter he would be practically locked away in the Dakota, his phone calls and mail screened by Yoko. Even Paul McCartney’s phone calls were screened out. Such a sad ending…
The plain truth: without Mr. George Martin, the Beatles would not have been the Beatles: the best band in the world (and vice versa, now that I'm thinking of it).
Eh, George didn't really make that much of a difference in the first two years, when Beatlemania was at its height. "Saw Here Standing There", "She Loves You", "TIcket to Ride" "Help" would have kept the Beatles on top with another producer. But starting with Rubber Soul, George M. was an essential cog in the wheel. But then, how much did he help with White Album (my favorite). How much difference did he make with "Hey Jude"? He didn't produce "Long and Winding Road". I'd say the Beatles still would have been the best band in the world. But my all time favorite Beatles track - Strawberry Fields - couldn't have happened without Martin.
@@aquamarine99911 Not exactly. "Please Please Me" was originally a country-like song with a slower tempo. George Martin decided to "speed it up" and make it sound like a good rocker. This was a pivotal moment since it was the Beatles' 2nd single and skyrocketed in the charts up to Nr. 2! That was it, the band reached stardom status, when after "Love Me Do" was just a promising band. You have a point that much of their material at this time was their own, still without GM's impeccable production it would not have sounded the same. GM transferred successfully the energy of their live shows into vinyl - and this kept the hits coming! Mr. Martin was the key man in every step of the way - from the very beginning!
What a refreshing interview! Nice to see John out of his “Bash Beatles Mode” and reminiscing fondly about that time period in his life. Wonder what’s different about this interview? Hmmmm...here’s a clue for us all...he’s by himself...
I’d love to see this interview in its entirety. John seems so relaxed, comfortable, and talkative. Above all, positive about his experience with The Beatles.
I remember 5th grade, my mom waking me to tell me, let me come down and watch the news. In morning prayers at Catholic school, the nun always asked if we had someone we wanted to pray for. I suggested Lennon and she said no. He was a degenerate. I swear to God, true story.
@@thefonzkiss the terrible "heavenly choirs" on let it be album (as Paul put it), which everyone hated? Yup, George Martin wouldn't have ever written that steamy pile 😂🤣
I don’t think this is entirely true. All of the members of the band were well connected to different other top musicians at the time as they networked and socialized together resulting in some collaboration also. Paul was responsible for many of the arrangements too.
On reflection, that was a distinctly leading, rather furtive, question from Bob Harris, to which Lennon responded in a way Harris wasn't expecting, and probably didn't like - namely the idea that George Martin was a mere technician. Good for John.
+AntPDC Wait, just to be clear, you're saying that you think the "mere technician" idea was implicit in Harris's question, not in John's response, right? (from the wording, some folks might interpret your comment the wrong way.)
That's right. And to be clearer, John totally rejected Harris' leading question in which he implied that Martin was a "mere technician". No doubt Bob wasn't happy...
John called Martin a mere technician himself, in some public letter in 1971 (calling him the cameraman to the beatles being the directors), so Bob got the idea from John himself. It's very nice to see John with such apparent peace of mind here, instead of spouting against people close to him whom he somehow felt threatened by, like he did early in that decade. Sadly, a lot of that inner peace seemed to be gone in 1980.
The recent interviews I've seen ... McCartney, Harrison, and now Lennon, ... these guys were very humble about their musical abilities. Somehow, magic though.
Well, they might sound humble but they were also accurate when talking about their talent. John just used the term "primitive musical ability" and that's largely right. None of the Beatles got close to being virtuosos, yet somehow they made amazing music that changed rock and roll forever and music that still sounds fresh and relevant today. It's one of the things that never fails to amaze me about the Beatles how 4 guys playing fairly basic music in that '62-'66ish period somehow managed to create magic together. Their song writing, voices and later on their experimentation in the studio was what really set them apart from anyone else.
I'd love to see the rest of this interview. It's a delight seeing John in such an equanimous mood. I must say though, that having heard the famous Decca demo tape (on which the label execs passed saying: "The era of the guitar band is over"), I've always suspected that George Martin may not have been merely the fifth Beatle, but perhaps as much as the sixth and seventh Beatle, as well.
I wouldn't have signed them with what was on that Decca tape. Martin admitted he signed them mainly based on their personalities, charisma and humor- not primarily for their music. Also Epstein had dragged him to a Cavern show, so he saw the crowd (girl) reaction. "I figured something would probably come out of them, since they were so fascinating and enjoyable as people." (paraphrasing here)
Well, I think this is probably a very honest and accurate assessment. It amuses me that when Lennon brings up the oboe he starts to sound just like McCartney. Of course, they did grow up in the same area, but I suspect it’s more than that; they unconsciously passed back and forth certain mannerisms, gestures, and verbal tics.
It is true to say, as Lennon explains here, that producers often have a LOT of musical input into final outcomes. People say, and album covers say, "written by ..." and "produced by ..." but so often both infuse into the other. The thing is, the musos DON'T LIKE TO ADMIT any producer's input into the writing or arrangement because it dampens their ego and might give them royalties. They give the impression that producers just twiddle the sliders on the mixing desk!
After the Rolling Stone interview, in which, John takes out some of his pent up anger, on George Martin, must have been feeling a bit guilty of being so hard on Martin, wanted to make sure he gave him his credit and respect from John, that Martin deserved!
John seems very generous towards Martin here because he appreciates the ideas coming out of the collaboration between The Beatles and their producer. At other times he’s been having a more negative view, remembering Martin lecturing them about the rules and limitations from music theory. Leaning towards each other and learning from each other the collaboration between The Beatles and their producer wasn’t the logical choice from the beginning but at the end of the day the most fruitful collaboration ever in rock and pop music.
Delicious. Love John in this groove. But clearly Martin was the band's orchestrator in some often non-traditional ways. Martin added some essential "kinky" aural aspects to season the band to perfection! The Beatles without Martin would NOT have risen to such mercurial success.
BUT---it was Paul, who pushed for the musical break-out, and he's the one who succeeded in it most. I think John was a 'Jealous Guy' over this.He had lost the leadership of the band's direction.
i really like the beatles, warts and all. always have, always will. i've been a fan since i was a teen in the 60's. i've also been a life-long musician. the beatles influenced me into picking up a guitar and i've played in "bar" bands all my life.
Sir George Martin “imposed” his footprint on their music, from the outset. Please Please Me is an example which John has explained was originally going to be a Roy Orbison like ballad. Sir George persuaded “the boys” that it would be better if the tempo was sped up. When they did so, he allegedly exclaimed “There is your first No 1 single.”
The Beatles would never have existed without George Martin who without doubt added that something extra that made the Beatles what they became. Its a shame that GM never benefitted financially at the time of the Beatles because he added those essential elements needed for their success.
+carl T I think he means to say the Beatles wouldn't have existed as we know them without George Martin. I don't think they would have been able to flourish as they did and have enjoyed so much acclaim and success as a result.
I assume many/most Beatles fans are enjoying a greater academic interest in the band. As a result of deeper research, its becoming clearer that the story begins years before Epstein crafted their Fab 4 personae. To summarize, they had played together as a band unit approx 10,000 hours by 1963. That is 8-10 hours every night fueled by alcohol and speed. Sourced material indicates they electrifing audiences with their raw rock n roll act. This rep is why Epstein was interested. Let's not forget that cut their first album in ONE day, over the course of 10 hours. GM himself was amazed at their stamina and tight playing. The more you dig, the more you'll understand these guys were super ambitious and willing to push limits. All other "5th Beatles" were just lucky to have come in contact with them and enjoy the ride.
The Beatles, without George Martin? Well, for anybody of a musical "bent"... that would be a resounding NO! George Martin was as much an integral part of the Beatles as any one of the Fab Four End of discussion
ROAD To The Top and Epstein brought them to EMI and George Martin. It was a stunning move of circumstances that resulted in a collaboration that will never be repeated. In those days of recording, the producers were the preeminent monarchs in the recording process. Artists did as they were told and hit records were made. George Martin saw something in the Beatles and chose not to be that way with them, and great music - and, indeed, history - got made.
Lennon & McCartney are the most successful and most covered songwriters in the entire history of this planet. And it's not even close, btw - Dylan is over 1200 covers behind, everyone else is in 3 figures at best. That didn't happen because of George Martin's knob twiddling or a handful of his syrupy string arrangements. In fact the sound engineers probably deserve more credit than Martin. If he was such a genius then how come 1) he couldn't achieve anything like the same impact with the many other artists he worked with? b) his own music is almost entirely forgotten? Only one of his pieces, Theme One - basically a glorified fanfare with a spectacularly clunky tune - has any kind of following today, and that's mainly because Van der Graaf Generator released a cover of it that they made when they were goofing around in the studio.
An in-depth appreciation and analysis of The Beatles' music by classical composer Howard Goodall can be found here: ua-cam.com/video/ZQS91wVdvYc/v-deo.html
He was so positive about the Beatles in this interview. Nice to see.
Seemed pretty clean too,likely only grass.
Always loved John wore hats-(caps).
Great story he said, during "Mania" times.
He walked in the shop where he bought all his caps, up to and during the HELP MOVIE and said " I come for me comission".
No yoko maybe
@@grapefruitjuice9473 Rock and roll never works when the spouses are around
@@RideAcrossTheRiver Or when they are totally clean.
@@ALFgold What's worse for bad music? A jealous spouse or substance abuse?
One of John's more reasonable and honest appraisals of Martin's contribution. There were times, particularly in the first few years after the breakup where John was a right miserable bastard on the topic of George Martin, which I gather did hurt Martin's feelings, as he was rightfully proud of the work he did with The Beatles. I know they did meet again a few years before John's death, and John did apologize for some of the nastier things he had said.
The interviews I've heard John was upset by people giving George Martin too much credit. Ans yes it was right around the break-up. Childhood friends who changed the world were breaking out on their own. I'm sure there was a lot of emotion and disagreements, etc. John did apologize which is something he didn't do very often.
He was a miserable bastard about George Martin in the early 70's indeed. And about Paul, and many other people. It's bizarre really. I'm not sure it can be ecplained by something other than some mental issue. Look how different his attitude is here...
George Martin in the later years had too much control and output when Paul, john, and George were peeking at there songwriting abilities. Their last 3 albums could of been way better if they had more control over the albums
Good point, but reading the Beatles Anthology there wasn't an abundance of energy being given by George or John towards being a part of the band which opened the door for someone with Paul's work, work work ethics to take over
...evidence of this please...and...George Martin didn't produce 'Let It Be' so can't be held accountable for that shambles...
John Lennon’s impression of George Martin is spot on!
I also like how his voice of the band sounds like George Harrison.
Based on your personal experience working with Martin? Always amazes me how fans of any celebrity think they actual know and understand the inner workings, feelings, and motivations of their heroes.
@@generalyellor8188 don’t be an asshole. I was offering an opinion based on what I heard in the interview, plus based on interviews I’ve heard with George Martin.
@@generalyellor8188his voice nimrod.
@@commanderjoj6426 I suspect Mr. Yellow may just be unfamiliar with the term “impression” in this context. Maybe it’s got out of date or something. It’s the thing comedians do when they imitate the voice and gestures of some famous politician or actor for comic effect. (That’s for Mr. Yellow’s benefit only, of course.) Anyway, I agree about the impression and wish it had gone on longer.
You remove Sir George Martin, or Brian Epstein or even Geoff Emerick from the equation and who knows how different their run might've been. A snapshot in time where the right people were in the right places at the right time. Life is like that.
Even someone as distant as Brian Wilson and Bob Dylan, who were also influences and visa versa.
with all those great people in the right place at the right time, ironically you also end up with a bunch of not-so-great people on the other side of the coin who were at the wrong place at the wrong time in the same story...Yoko Ono, Allen Klein, Mark Chapman...
Geoff Emerick came to the rescue many times as well.
@@AkyovNorthWest magic alex
Ringo was (became) available at the right time.
Once the Beatles left the three guitars and drum format and brought in different instruments and sound effects they grew exponentially and they have George Martin to thank for that.
Uhh, Two guitars and a Bass.
@@JB19504 And those early records were far more sophisticated than I used to give them credit for! The harmonies, the creativity, etc.
@@JB19504 bass guitars are just guitars with big ole strings
@@JB19504 that would be a lead guitar, a rhythm guitar and a bass, jeffy boy.
@@us-Bahn Guitars are guitars. How they are played in the context of the music is another thing. And one doesn't have to be playing lead, and the other rhythm. Look at Duane and Dickey, they both played lead simultaneously sometimes, US-Bhanny boy.
goodness, i don't think i've heard John Lennon speak so well.. thankyou for sharing this.. George Martin is so unique.
The Beatles and George Martin were extremely fortunate to find each other! What a collaboration! 🇬🇧
Indeed, almost as if they were all sent from "above" to meet up here on the 3rd Stone from the Sun.
JOHN JUST "NAILED IT"
Truly a match made in heaven. Along with the amazingly fortunate coincidence of those particular four guys in the same town, meeting and getting together to write and play music!
The Beatles knew what they wanted, George Martin knew how to do it. Easy as that. A perfectly symbiotic relationship.
Not exactly. The Beatles usually-or often, at least-didn’t know quite what they wanted, and George Martin often, at least, didn’t know quite how to achieve it. They were breaking new ground together. That’s what made it exciting-exciting for them and exciting for us.
It was the perfect combination. Two geniuses bringing high quality raw material to the studio and a great producer with knowledge in orchestration and instruments. The recording-only phase of the group, the one producing one masterpiece after the other, cannot be understood without George Martin.
I always consider Sir George Martin to have been the fabled '5th Beatle'.
Most people place Eppy (Brian Epstein) as the 5th Beatle. Even the Beatle's said it. John said that after they lost him he knew the band would not last.
What you say is true but Sir George made a unique and important musical contribution which helped to define the sound of The Beatles on record and so he gets my vote over Brian Epstein as being deserving of the title 'The 5th Beatle'
I agree.
junaid1 No disrespect, but I don’t think most do. Epstein went above and beyond as a manager, which is really to be expected for a band as above and beyond as The Beatles. The creativity is what drove everything. I would argue that Martin had more to do with the band’s success than George or Ringo did. Paul and John are #1 and 2 (whichever order you like), George Martin is #3, Harrison #4, Ringo #5 (all were/are incredible)
I'd completely agree with that although I'd add that changed in the years they were producing albums. Initially Lennon would be number one because he primarily wrote the early hits and had the most unique voice. Later McCartney took over being number one and it became more his band. Lennon's output lessened and Harrison's quality dramatically increased in both his song writing, playing and tone. Ringo was an amazing "melodic" drummer for the Beatles who came into his own with each passing album. So I think your assessment is completely correct until the last few albums where I'd label McCartney as 1, Lennon as 2, Harrison 3, Ringo 4 and Martin 5 as I feel, as their studio prowess grew, Martin's role had gone from mentor/teacher/interpreter to a job many producers could have done (on the final few albums). But then that's just my humble opinion on what I hear musically and have read. I personally enjoy Lennon's music the most.
that was a great answer from John who as I remember could be a bit caustic , but to admit it was not easy for the beatles or George Martin was cool and honest thanks George rip and John rip.
Yeah. John would be caustic when he wasn't in a good place, mentally. When he wass, he was like you see him here. The difference between what he says in this interview and the 1970 RS interview is really striking.
a bit caustic? John was the nastiest person ever at times
@@red-eyedmagister1595 Was he f*ck. He got scolded by the press after his 'bigger than janus' comments from which he developed a deep mistrust of the press. At the end of the 60s he dabbled with heroin and that was at the time that the Beatles split, so yeah he wanted to turn his back on the whole Beatles thing, as did Paul with Wings. He then went to the USA where he spent several years trying to fight his deportation... no wonder he got pissed at times. In his last interviews he sounded buoyant once again. After his death, the media then tried to create rifts between Paul and George when reality is they were like bros.
I’ve seen Ringo say, “We didn’t know anything about proper recording work. George didn’t know anything about rock and roll music. We just all learned together.”
“ . . . a bit caustic” is a mild way to put it. ;-)
wow...John being complimentary for over two minutes running!! Actually yea, great answer!!
Yeah - but you can tell he was reluctant! Through gritted teeth......
@@alexz4752 If you didn't aware of, John in the 70s made loads of ruckus with anyone related to the Beatles, i.e., he was being an animous dickhead. So, it was rather a surprise that he *actually* complimented someone of the Beatles without any bitterness at all
that i can confirm is his record time
John was always complimentary after about 72 i.e. when he wasn't coming of smack.
John clearly in a happier place than in his interviews earlier in the 70s.
Or maybe in a state of mind in which he didn’t feel he had any particular axe to grind, wasn’t on any particular mission.
John on his best and most reasonable behavior. Rare treat indeed.
Agree. A lot depended on the mood he was in on any given day. A very volatile personality.
Actually apart from the first few years after the Beatles John was always v reasonable.
@@piscesman54 A v special personality
@@paulhallatt4313 nope
Yoko wasn't there, for once, that probably helped.
It's so delightful how honest Lennon is. None of his answer is filtered through ego.
*"Slowing down the piano, playing it slow, and putting it on"*
I think he's talking about _In My Life_ , where Martin played the piano slow, then sped it up to sound like a harpsichord. Martin wrote that solo, too. Perfect.
George Martin also did that on "Misery" from their first album as well, though it's less obvious that the piano is sped up. I read he did it while they were touring after their big session, so they may not have known until the record came out that George had done that...
Martin actually played the solo on In My Life.
Which is one of the maybe five songs that John points to as great or legitimate songs he wrote (Help, SFF etc). And that solo really makes the song
The piano solos for “Good Day Sunshine” and “Lovely Rita” were performed slower then sped up as well…
I don’t believe John was thinking about any song(s) in particular, he was just making a point.
Lennon is not famous for being fair to his collaborators, but this is an admirably fair and nuanced (and, as far as I know, accurate) assessment of the highly complex relationship of The Beatles and Martin.
George was an essential member of the ‘The Beatles’
Two Georges
I'm not convinced he 'learned as much from them as they did from him' to be fair!
Without a doubt.
And an essential member of the
Gerry & The Pacemakers,Billy Kramer and The Dakotas,The Fourmost and others.
Both george harrison and george martin
Good to see John give the 5th Beatle credit where credit is due.
Wow. This is great ! A beautiful assessment of a groundbreaking collaborative meeting of minds . Very humbly and articulately spoken by John here.
The Beatles were a primitive rock band before Martin. He was a highly sophisticated pianist who added many of the subtle touches to the Beatles’ Music. He taught them a great deal.
There's no doubt George Martin added a lot, but we shouldn't overstate his importance. Martin worked with a shit-ton of other bands and singers, and none of them came close to being as good as the Beatles. It's not like the Beatles were an air-headed boy band that George Martin controlled like a Svengali. I think it's fair to call him "the fifth Beatle."
He was also a concert pianist who fought in the skies during the Battle of Britain.
Great point. George Martin’s music knowledge and the Beatles natural musicality were an awesome combo that really broadened the rock genre.
according to all, they learned from and grew along with each other. you can't quantify creative collaboration. John Oates anyone?
They were more rough the primitive. They were the most talented band of that type around.
On "In my life", they simply asked Martin to make up the "harpsichord" solo all on his own. That's not some "engineering" task, that's creating the actual music
George Martin gave the Beatles music 'class'. At the time, even our parents liked their music.
Moms always preferred Paul’s songs. Melodic and generally more cheerful.
Ha! My parents were born in the 1920s and despised the Beatles. "Just too gimmicky." They eventually admitted that they had "some talent," but were never fans.
My dad, who had a great appreciation for most all kinds of music (Big Band Era, Classical, some country), loved Procol Harum's "Whaling Stories," but never really liked the Beatles.
@Juan Perez Well, 100 percent of your output is rubbish.
This was recorded on 17 March 1975. John got back with Yoko in early 1975 and got on well with Bob Harris, so was in a good mood. It's my favorite Lennon interview because it reveals such positive aspects of his personality. It leaves you really wanting to be his pal.
Also the interview works because Yoko isn’t there to constantly interrupt and impede the flow of the conversation.
I agree. John was either bitter or very aprehensive in most of his interviews (specially the ones not much after The Beatles' breakup). He was in very good mood here and came to terms with his former band. Somehow, George Harrison could never overcome the causes of the breakup and remained bitter until his last days. Cheers and Happy Holidays.
Being a songwriter and drummer, I've become to really appreciate George Martin's unique contributions to The Beatles. They were from very diverse musical backgrounds, Martin being a trained classical musician that could read and score music and The Beatles that were self-taught musicians, none of which could read music.
They were an odd combination, however, their diversity allowed them the ability to learn and experiment with each other. Martin was instrumental (no pun intended) in the development of Sgt. Pepper and many other songs that required a complex musical knowledge like Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields, All You Need is Love, In My Life, etc.
Perhaps Martin's greatest gift to music was the wisdom to allow " the boys " to develop and grow as musicians, and especially writers, without too much interference.
Yes well put it was a magical relationship that could be only expressed through the sound of music
Decca wouldn’t have allowed the Beatles to blossom like they did, not even sure Decca had a producer with George Martin’s credentials.
Very well put. They were sort of like an English Garden. Structure and Chaos coming together. Someone too steeped in the classical tradition isn't likely to bust through conventions. Someone too ignorant of musical theory won't know how to make it happen and won't impose useful boundaries.
Absolutely. So much of the Beatles greatest music is nearly unimaginable without George Martin’s influence and expertise.
Fully agree. Perhaps the greatest contribution Martin made to the Beatles was steering them gently without being overbearing or stifling the creative force they were. To the contrary, he helped them blossom. Another producer would've attempted to bully them into submission, which was the standard practice in those days. Perhaps they would've gotten 3 or 4 successful guitar albums out of them and that would've been it. Being a very down-to-earth kind of guy, he was still sensitive enough to know real talent when he saw it.
John meant a lot to me as a young man. As I've grown older, my appreciation for Paul and Ringo far exceed the esteem I once held him in. They are all human after all. Some better than others, like everyone else.
It may be the case that Ringo and Paul were given the chance to. John was taken early in his life, he may well have surpassed both of them but we will never know unfortunately. What a shame, incredible man.
@@Haddow-Media exactly
A great interview by Whispering Bob.....respectful and a question many of us are interested in.....
Finding John in a cooperative mood giving a meaningful answer makes this a moving and illuminating film clip....
The fascination with the creative process is eternal...
So glad synchronicity occurred in such a momentous fashion when George Martin met and decided to do all in his power to bring out the best in The Beatles......
John and Paul really were so similar in telling their stories in providing dislogue and a whole range of different accents which is really endearing.. Like two peas on a pod that way.
Absolutely right . John and Paul were both so endearing and so alike the way they recounted stories with various accents.
Indeed, a most engaging and fruitful relationship of creative collaborations after 50 years of hindsight! Miss you John!
You can tell John was in a good place here - and was not on any drugs... love seeing him like this.
Yeah, I was thinking about how pleasant his demeanor was, which wasn't like this in most of the interviews he did in the 70's that I saw.
Yeah John Flowing Cool - maybe , he's had a bag o harlem hero weenie
This was when he was with May Pang. No Yoko. Shortly after, he went back to the Dragon Lady.
0:58 until 1: 13
He really speaks the same way as Paul McCartney, imitating voices and recreating dialogues and making the Beatles sound like innocent boys. I always thought Paul was colouring history his way, making things sound more cute than they were, so it's a revelation seeing John speaking just like Paul. I've never heard him speaking like this before.
It also becomes more believable that they were close friends, who were on the same wavelength, and not just partners who shared passed away mothers and musical gifts. Not just two opposites who formed a great team, who supported each other, who competed to bring out the best in themselves as well as the other - but also real friends.
Paul McCartney has always stated they were true friends, but I've never really s e e n this friendship before. Somehow, I always had my doubts (John tough, sarcastic and ironic, and Paul mellow, accomodating and eager to please).
Well said.
I knew it also. Altough i wonder how that concurrence thing fits in the friendship.
For John, I think it was really more of a creative relationship with Paul, centered in the work. Ringo was actually his closest 'friend' in the Beatles. I mean he would hang out with Ringo and go on vacations together. He rarely did that with Paul in downtime (during the active years.) Paul does revise history regularly and Ringo and George commented about this many times. He's always been the PR guy and as such, can't resist putting a spin on things (usually to make himself look better).
@@timothysullysullivan2571 John and Paul were very close when they were young and discovered a mutual interest in songwriting. They even went off on holiday together with the money John got from relatives in Edinburgh for his 21st. Sure John had other friends too, but Lennon and McCartney's friendship ran far deeper than simply a creative relationship.
@@catherinewilson3880 how much time did he spend with Paul after the beatles broke up?
@@timothysullysullivan2571 The Beatles went through a lot in the sixties and they were confined to one anothers company a lot of the time. John met Yoko, Paul met Linda and they grew apart. It happens, I have friends from my teens and twenties who I now never see, but we do keep in touch from time to time. John was murdered over forty years ago so we'll never know where their relationship may have gone had he survived. Anyway, I'm talking about the period between 1957 - 1969, so what they did after that time is pretty much irrelevant to my point.
Sir Geroge Martin was the fifth Beatle and he deserves much more credit. He wrote so much of the actual music as wasn't egotistical about it like they were.
George AND Brian. 50 50 on wbo was 5th or 6th
the beatles weren't stupid, they were always looking for ways to expand their abilities, and george martin would have been a good source for that.
ever since i read that george martin suggested the opening instrumental tag, the abbreviated verse melody, of "please please me", i understood his contribution was more significant than i knew because i think of that as actual songwriting input
I just love his truthfulness!! ❤
Nataša Stojanović 💛
Without diminishing the Beatles's talent it's pretty obvious that an accomplished musician like Martin, plus his qualities as a man, gave to the band an immense help in the musical composition.
Exactly of only badfinger cross his path with these gentlemans Martín and epstein
@@angelicaquirarte ??
Working as an artist for many years, being a producer and working with amateurs and other professionals, it’s quite obvious how amazing George Martin was. He was as inventive in risk taking as the band members, and had a strong vision for each album and how to direct the strengths of each band member.
so good seing lennon clean and sober
SellMe YourSoul and without yoko :p
Where did you see that?
When he died 5 years later he looked emaciated. Like an old man. He looks healthy here.
@@m.e.d.7997 On Yoko’s macrobiotic diet it would be difficult for anyone not to look like a prisoner of war.
hadn't seen that before,nice that he gave George credit, he didn't really deserve some of the shit john threw at him before and after the break up.
Agreed. John was flinging muck all over the place, and for a good while.
John was in a really bad place then. Best to listen to him from about 73 onward. That's the real Winston O'Boogie.
I think, from this reading, that John deemphasizes the role of Martin wildly, as I suspect so many musicians do of their producers. Listen to any Beatles recording, and it's blazingly obvious that there was an additional hand at work, making everything mesh, creating a mood, adding color, texture, narrative arc to fairly raw material to begin with. I imagine it may have made the lads a little insecure to talk publicly about his role, but to their good fortune, Martin was a reticent genius, comfortable enough at staying in the background and enjoying the fruits of their unique collaboration.
That was worth watching, good to see him say good things about his relationship with George Martin
George Martin's musical influence on the Beatles deserves recognition. The Elizabethan piano solo on In my Life, the string arrangement on Yesterday, the opening chord of Hard Day's Night. These and many more contributions to the coloring of their compositions made them unique and iconoclastic songs.
Iconic, yes ;) You, me and countless others agree that Sir George Martin was, in practice, the fifth Beatle. Having said that, he wasn't an ingredient in Lennon/McCartney's creative crucible - a crucible which spawned musical genius. He was undoubtedly a big influence, and as Lennon says here, he educated the band in musical forms, instruments, they'd had little knowledge of. It was a serendipitous confluence of talent, the likes of which has never been seen since in my opinion.
Martin's talents were being wasted at Parlaphone. Lucky for him the Beatles came along, and vice versa.
Fascinating man and fantastic band! George Martin and the Beatles bounced off each other, his involvement fine tuned a band of incredible talent and together they made history 👌
Bob Harris is such a sweet, kind and gentle soul. He immediately puts his interviewee at their ease. Zero ego. Much admired.
love this interview x
I was too a bit astonish because Goodall ignored George Martin, but then I remember the deconstruction of Strawberry Fields in an album by George Martin. I always thought that the song complexity came after Martin, but god I was shocked listening to John singing the song with just a guitar, and the full composition was there. A f... guitar and his incredible voice, there you have it.
Just finished George M's book again.. :-). John said to George that he would have liked to record all the Beatles songs again, and George said, "even Strawberry Fields?" and John said "especially Strawberry Fields". George said the first time he heard it, there were a couple of introductory chords on the guitar and they were straight in. George said there was a feeling of luminescence and that he was spellbound and in love. He said he wished he had taken the very first run through on tape and released it like that........but of course John rejected Take 1.
The lennon comment is his very best imo "esp strawberry fields" the final result is light years behind what he had in his head and what he spent months banging away on in almeria.That production worked excellently for Penny lane which is pop perfection but lennon was after something very ethereal, they made a balls of it i think.
An incredible group of people got together to make absolute magic.
George Martin was the fifth Beatle IMO. His influence on the band can't be over-emphasized.
Great segment of the interview!! Very insightful
George Martin was definitely the fifth Beatle, you've only got to hear his work with other musical artists such as America for instance to where the Beatles got their sound. Martin was only too happy to help these talented guys with their musical journey. Five very gifted guys who worked hand in hand with each other with the utmost respect.
And why dont we say Martin was the fourth member of América.?
And hear his work with Gerry & The Pacemakers,Billy Kramer & The Dakotas
or The Fourmost.
Interesting to see how calm and positive and happy he seems, and natural, without Yoko. Completely different interview.
George Martin was pretty much their editor. Some of their songs would be somewhat sloppy or not as pristine without him
Well said.
For example, the Let It Be album...
We all know that the Beatles were uniquely talented. Fate also provided them with superb collaborators like George Martin, Norman Smith and Geoff Emerick. Nice to see John Lennon's acknowledgement of Mr. Martin's significant contributions here.
Sir George Martin, the producer of the century.
and the 21st so far!
Probably yes when you include the Goon Show of the 50’s . Still one of the cleverest & if you understand it funniest radio shows ever.
This is a great interview.
When you find out the role George Martin played on songs like Walrus, Strawberry Fields, Tomorrow Never Knows and Mr Kite, you realize how good he was. Those songs would've been an absolute mess with most other producers. His input on Day in the Life was pivotal. McCartney's idea for the crescendos just didn't work - it was George Martin who had the key to that.
Read/Listen to the story of Dave Gilmour and Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights, to find out how crucial a producer is to a song. Gilmour suggested Kate and her song to a number of excellent producers of the day and none of them could make it work. George Martin was the same with the Beatles. Even his work on Please Please Me, turned that song from run-of-the-mill to number one material.
Where did you get that information on McCartney and Martin’s input on “A Day in the Life”?
@@hw343434Yeah, I thought that was John's song. I know Paul did the Woke up, got out of bed" part
This is one of the best interviews with Lennon, done at a time when he had escaped the orbit of Yoko, during that nearly two year separation that is deceptively referred to as the “lost weekend”.
He was free to speak, meeting with old and new friends, making music. Soon thereafter he would be practically locked away in the Dakota, his phone calls and mail screened by Yoko. Even Paul McCartney’s phone calls were screened out. Such a sad ending…
The plain truth: without Mr. George Martin, the Beatles would not have been the Beatles: the best band in the world (and vice versa, now that I'm thinking of it).
You can't have one without the other you might say .
A miracle none the less.......
Eh, George didn't really make that much of a difference in the first two years, when Beatlemania was at its height. "Saw Here Standing There", "She Loves You", "TIcket to Ride" "Help" would have kept the Beatles on top with another producer. But starting with Rubber Soul, George M. was an essential cog in the wheel. But then, how much did he help with White Album (my favorite). How much difference did he make with "Hey Jude"? He didn't produce "Long and Winding Road". I'd say the Beatles still would have been the best band in the world.
But my all time favorite Beatles track - Strawberry Fields - couldn't have happened without Martin.
@@aquamarine99911 Not exactly. "Please Please Me" was originally a country-like song with a slower tempo. George Martin decided to "speed it up" and make it sound like a good rocker. This was a pivotal moment since it was the Beatles' 2nd single and skyrocketed in the charts up to Nr. 2! That was it, the band reached stardom status, when after "Love Me Do" was just a promising band. You have a point that much of their material at this time was their own, still without GM's impeccable production it would not have sounded the same. GM transferred successfully the energy of their live shows into vinyl - and this kept the hits coming! Mr. Martin was the key man in every step of the way - from the very beginning!
a great Interview, probably the best Post Beatles Interview
What a refreshing interview! Nice to see John out of his “Bash Beatles Mode” and reminiscing fondly about that time period in his life. Wonder what’s different about this interview? Hmmmm...here’s a clue for us all...he’s by himself...
...and not on heroin.
He must have sent Yoko off to do her own thing
@@ElvarMasson Me thinks it was the other way around.
This was the real John. About 73 onwards. No chips on his shoulders and no come downs.
I like it so much when John does a push accent. Such a great conversation.
Great to hear an interview where John is not constantly interrupted by Yoko's useless jabber
I’d love to see this interview in its entirety. John seems so relaxed, comfortable, and talkative. Above all, positive about his experience with The Beatles.
it's amazing how not using heroin all day improves one's outlook on life
@@lukeingram7655 - 🤣
I am now 17 years older than John Lennon was when he died.
God damn it to hell.
Sean Lennon is now older than John when he died.
I am about the same age, I knew at the time he was far too young and I feel it more now.
I remember 5th grade, my mom waking me to tell me, let me come down and watch the news. In morning prayers at Catholic school, the nun always asked if we had someone we wanted to pray for. I suggested Lennon and she said no. He was a degenerate. I swear to God, true story.
jackal59 Knock off the blasphemy
jackal59 I know exactly how you feel. :(
Wonderful to see John v. 1975
All the orchestral arrangements were the work of George Martin. He also provided the connections to top musicians .
Except for She’s Leaving Home and the stuff on Let It Be.
@@thefonzkiss the terrible "heavenly choirs" on let it be album (as Paul put it), which everyone hated? Yup, George Martin wouldn't have ever written that steamy pile 😂🤣
I don’t think this is entirely true. All of the members of the band were well connected to different other top musicians at the time as they networked and socialized together resulting in some collaboration also. Paul was responsible for many of the arrangements too.
@@user-tb5ns7hc5i Orchestral
That little minuet Martin does on keyboard for "In My Life" says it all.
On reflection, that was a distinctly leading, rather furtive, question from Bob Harris, to which Lennon responded in a way Harris wasn't expecting, and probably didn't like - namely the idea that George Martin was a mere technician. Good for John.
+AntPDC Wait, just to be clear, you're saying that you think the "mere technician" idea was implicit in Harris's question, not in John's response, right? (from the wording, some folks might interpret your comment the wrong way.)
That's right. And to be clearer, John totally rejected Harris' leading question in which he implied that Martin was a "mere technician". No doubt Bob wasn't happy...
John called Martin a mere technician himself, in some public letter in 1971 (calling him the cameraman to the beatles being the directors), so Bob got the idea from John himself. It's very nice to see John with such apparent peace of mind here, instead of spouting against people close to him whom he somehow felt threatened by, like he did early in that decade. Sadly, a lot of that inner peace seemed to be gone in 1980.
He had a really bad yeast infection.
I think he's talking about the period where he became deceased?
Could not imagine growing up (born in 51) without the Beatles in my life.
1:03 sums up their relationship. Rock'n'roll meets an oboe.
Probably a very correct way of describing it.
The recent interviews I've seen ... McCartney, Harrison, and now Lennon, ... these guys were very humble about their musical abilities. Somehow, magic though.
Well, they might sound humble but they were also accurate when talking about their talent. John just used the term "primitive musical ability" and that's largely right. None of the Beatles got close to being virtuosos, yet somehow they made amazing music that changed rock and roll forever and music that still sounds fresh and relevant today. It's one of the things that never fails to amaze me about the Beatles how 4 guys playing fairly basic music in that '62-'66ish period somehow managed to create magic together. Their song writing, voices and later on their experimentation in the studio was what really set them apart from anyone else.
@@ajo3085 Well Said ✌🏻
@@ChichesterClark11 Thank you. 😊
@@ajo3085 Like wise so well said. It was wonderful to hear John speak so highly of George Martin.
I'd love to see the rest of this interview. It's a delight seeing John in such an equanimous mood. I must say though, that having heard the famous Decca demo tape (on which the label execs passed saying: "The era of the guitar band is over"), I've always suspected that George Martin may not have been merely the fifth Beatle, but perhaps as much as the sixth and seventh Beatle, as well.
I wouldn't have signed them with what was on that Decca tape. Martin admitted he signed them mainly based on their personalities, charisma and humor- not primarily for their music. Also Epstein had dragged him to a Cavern show, so he saw the crowd (girl) reaction. "I figured something would probably come out of them, since they were so fascinating and enjoyable as people." (paraphrasing here)
Its from a bbc radio recording on dec 2 1980. Andy peebles
Thanks, Michael. It took 2 years, but I finally got your info. Much obliged, mate.@@michaelsrowland
How amazing in the comments that some people are rehashing 50 year old arguments.
That was surprisingly generous and appreciative of John, and I'm glad. I expected him to be otherwise.
Martin was the key to making there songs magical
Well, I think this is probably a very honest and accurate assessment. It amuses me that when Lennon brings up the oboe he starts to sound just like McCartney. Of course, they did grow up in the same area, but I suspect it’s more than that; they unconsciously passed back and forth certain mannerisms, gestures, and verbal tics.
It is true to say, as Lennon explains here, that producers often have a LOT of musical input into final outcomes. People say, and album covers say, "written by ..." and "produced by ..." but so often both infuse into the other. The thing is, the musos DON'T LIKE TO ADMIT any producer's input into the writing or arrangement because it dampens their ego and might give them royalties. They give the impression that producers just twiddle the sliders on the mixing desk!
Sounds like a spot on analysis.
After the Rolling Stone interview, in which, John takes out some of his pent up anger, on George Martin, must have been feeling a bit guilty of being so hard on Martin, wanted to make sure he gave him his credit and respect from John, that Martin deserved!
John seems very generous towards Martin here because he appreciates the ideas coming out of the collaboration between The Beatles and their producer.
At other times he’s been having a more negative view, remembering Martin lecturing them about the rules and limitations from music theory.
Leaning towards each other and learning from each other the collaboration between The Beatles and their producer wasn’t the logical choice from the beginning but at the end of the day the most fruitful collaboration ever in rock and pop music.
John at his best...when he was thinking straight and being himself.
Delicious. Love John in this groove. But clearly Martin was the band's orchestrator in some often non-traditional ways. Martin added some essential "kinky" aural aspects to season the band to perfection! The Beatles without Martin would NOT have risen to such mercurial success.
The Beatles As a group was looking to evolve their music. And George Martin helped to make that happen. They made each other better.
BUT---it was Paul, who pushed for the musical break-out, and he's the one who succeeded in it most. I think John was a 'Jealous Guy' over this.He had lost the leadership of the band's direction.
Gotta love John ❤
God I miss John
i really like the beatles, warts and all. always have, always will. i've been a fan since i was a teen in the 60's. i've also been a life-long musician. the beatles influenced me into picking up a guitar and i've played in "bar" bands all my life.
It's nice to hear lennon expressing some humility.
Sir George Martin “imposed” his footprint on their music, from the outset. Please Please Me is an example which John has explained was originally going to be a Roy Orbison like ballad. Sir George persuaded “the boys” that it would be better if the tempo was sped up. When they did so, he allegedly exclaimed “There is your first No 1 single.”
I love John, but I never take ANYTHING that he ever said seriously.
I could listen to John talk all day.
John summed it up pretty accurately !
Wotta great vid.
The Beatles would never have existed without George Martin who without doubt added that something extra that made the Beatles what they became. Its a shame that GM never benefitted financially at the time of the Beatles because he added those essential elements needed for their success.
+carl T I think he means to say the Beatles wouldn't have existed as we know them without George Martin. I don't think they would have been able to flourish as they did and have enjoyed so much acclaim and success as a result.
...I love how John is like Bob Wills; always open to suggestions and something different. That's what makes both of them so great.
They would't have been the spectacular band they were without George Martin!!!
I assume many/most Beatles fans are enjoying a greater academic interest in the band.
As a result of deeper research, its becoming clearer that the story begins years before Epstein crafted their Fab 4 personae.
To summarize, they had played together as a band unit approx 10,000 hours by 1963. That is 8-10 hours every night fueled by alcohol and speed.
Sourced material indicates they electrifing audiences with their raw rock n roll act. This rep is why Epstein was interested.
Let's not forget that cut their first album in ONE day, over the course of 10 hours. GM himself was amazed at their stamina and tight playing.
The more you dig, the more you'll understand these guys were super ambitious and willing to push limits.
All other "5th Beatles" were just lucky to have come in contact with them and enjoy the ride.
He is very charming during this period
The Beatles, without George Martin? Well, for anybody of a musical "bent"... that would be a resounding NO!
George Martin was as much an integral part of the Beatles as any one of the Fab Four
End of discussion
I agree but the discussion will go on.
ROAD To The Top and Epstein brought them to EMI and George Martin. It was a stunning move of circumstances that resulted in a collaboration that will never be repeated. In those days of recording, the producers were the preeminent monarchs in the recording process. Artists did as they were told and hit records were made. George Martin saw something in the Beatles and chose not to be that way with them, and great music - and, indeed, history - got made.
simple....Beatles before Nov '62 and Beatles after Nov '62....all George Martin.
Lennon & McCartney are the most successful and most covered songwriters in the entire history of this planet. And it's not even close, btw - Dylan is over 1200 covers behind, everyone else is in 3 figures at best. That didn't happen because of George Martin's knob twiddling or a handful of his syrupy string arrangements. In fact the sound engineers probably deserve more credit than Martin.
If he was such a genius then how come 1) he couldn't achieve anything like the same impact with the many other artists he worked with? b) his own music is almost entirely forgotten? Only one of his pieces, Theme One - basically a glorified fanfare with a spectacularly clunky tune - has any kind of following today, and that's mainly because Van der Graaf Generator released a cover of it that they made when they were goofing around in the studio.
did you read my post above? nuf said...listen to Lennon too. McCartney called Martin the "Fifth Beatle".