McCartney Times

Today in rock history: On this date in 2016, producer, arranger, conductor, composer and audio engineer Sir George Henry Martin passed away at the age of 90. Referred to as the “fifth Beatle,” Martin played an integral role in adding sonic depth and texture to all of the group’s recordings. Credited with producing 30 U.K. no. 1 hits for the Beatles, Martin also lent his talents to Gerry & the Pacemakers, America, Cheap Trick, Ultravox and many more. Martin will always be remembered as being one of the true architects and innovators behind so many great pop arrangements.

 

Today in rock history: On this date in 1969, members of The Small Faces called it quits and went on different paths after a successful run of hit singles and albums in the U.K. Hits like “Itchycoo Park,” “All or Nothing” and “Tin Soldier” marked the band’s time which found it starting as Great Britain’s quintessential Mod band before the group delved into the realm of psychedelic pop as its career progressed. A final album, 1968’s Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake, was the band’s most revered and well received. While fans mourned, lead singer and guitarist Steve Marriott pressed on and formed Humble Pie, a group with a harder edge that leaned more towards blues-based, power chord rock and roll. The remaining members stayed together and, with the help of Rod Stewart and Ron Wood — who served stints as part of The Jeff Beck Group — formed The Faces, a raucous, bawdy rock outfit that became one of the most popular bands of the early ‘70s.

 

Today in rock history: On this date in 1974, Queen II, was released on the heels of Queen’s 1973 self-titled debut album. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the album found fans starting to take note of Queen’s over the top production style, its penchant for overdubbing and outstanding guitar solos as well as the band’s ability to shift from hard rock numbers to gentle ballads at the drop of a hat. Although the cover photograph is arguably the most recognizable image of the superstar band, the fan-favorite record continues to be one of Queen’s lesser-known treasures. The LP produced just one single (the modest hit “Seven Seas of Rhye”) on the way to becoming a U.K. Top 10, but it is home to deep cuts like “Father to Son” and “Ogre Battle,” which hinted at the sonic, bombastic sound the group would master over its next few albums. Its follow-up, Sheer Heart Attack, was released later that year and turned Queen into a worldwide sensation on the strength of its lead single “Killer Queen.”

Today in rock history: On this date in 1965, a young singer named David Jones (who’d later adopt the stage name David Bowie) made his television debut on the BBC’s Gadzooks! It’s All Happening. He did it as a member of one of his early bands, The Manish Boys, whose single was cover of Bobby Bland’s “I Pity the Fool.” Bowie, who was only 17 years old at the time, played saxophone and handled the song’s lead vocals.

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Source: Beatles producer Sir George Henry Martin died on this day in 2016