Sir George Martin inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame

Sir George Martin inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame

Thursday November 16, 2006



George Martin at UK Hall of Fame awards.


Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, left, presents music producer George Martin with the award to mark the latter's induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame 2006, at Alexandra Palace in London, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2006.

Gordon Brown was booed last night as he presented a music award to 'fifth Beatle’ Sir George Martin in front of a star-studded audience.

The Chancellor ignored whistles, shouts and boos from some sections of the crowd, as he walked on stage to present an honorary award to the legendary Beatles producer and induct him into the UK Music Hall of Fame.

Mr Brown, a surprise guest at the event at London’s Alexandra Palace, told the audience: “George Martin is the most amazing man and I’m proud to be able to present him this evening.”

He added: “In 1962, even after every major producer rejected The Beatles and one producer said guitar groups had no future, George Martin made The Beatles the most successful group in history. George was the architect of the most creative period in music that this country has seen.”

Mr Brown said he had spoken to Sir Paul McCartney that afternoon, who said Sir George was 'the great creative genius of our time’. The Chancellor added: “Self-made, self-taught, he worked his way up, he is a great national icon. He is a great national institution.”

Sir George, 80, who produced every record made by the Fab Four until they disbanded in 1970, said it was a great honour to be given the award by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The producer, who also made his name as a film composer said: “I never realised I was as good as all that. I’m not, to be honest, this is hyperbole.

“I think the reason I am here today is I have been a very lucky man and I have worked with the greatest people in show business, performers and writers. It rubs off working with people like that, it makes all the difference in the world.”

Sir George also brought comedy names like Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore into recording studios. He recorded top jazz acts such as Cleo Laine and Stan Getz and in the Seventies and Eighties worked with the likes of the Bee Gees, Dire Straits and Ultravox.

Sir George also made his name as a film composer, scoring Live And Let Die and The Beatles' Yellow Submarine.

At the event, Queen drummer Roger Taylor and Razorlight singer Johnny Borrell helped perform classic Beatles tracks alongside a 31-piece orchestra and 20-piece London community gospel choir conducted by Sir George.

There were performances from some of the biggest names in music, including James Brown, Beach Boys star Brian Wilson and Bon Jovi, and British soul singer Joss Stone was invited to induct the late Dusty Springfield into the Hall of Fame.

Former US president Bill Clinton and chat show host Oprah Winfrey paid tribute to US rockers Bon Jovi in a recorded message as they were inducted. Rocker Rod Stewart accepted his award by video link from Los Angeles, saying: “It’s only quarter to one here but what the hell, I’m going to have a drink.”

Since the launch of The UK Music Hall of Fame in 2004, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Madonna, Bob Dylan, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, U2, Bob Marley, Elvis Presley and the Kinks have been inducted. Musicians are selected by a panel of 60 artists and executives in the music industry, broadcasters and journalists.

Yay for Sir George.

The event is being shown on television.....VH1, Saturday Nov. 25 at 9pm et. It is a two hour program.

Watched it on TV this evening. Very moving.

A well-deserved honor for George Martin!

Why was Gordon Brown booed?

Oh how fabulous!! Well deserved indeed!

Elton John & David Bowie turned down induction!

I saw it on VH1 Classic last night. Good tribute to him with messages from Ringo, Cilla Black, Michael Palin, Ozzy Osborne, and Billy Connelly. When they were mentioning about the comedy albums he had produced, they showed a b/w clip of Peter Sellers in a Shakespearean costume and reciting the opening lines to AHDN in Shakesperean style. I thought it was funny! Would have loved to have seen more of that. I wonder what show it came from?
Aside from Gordon Brown, the exchequer for the Bank of England, saying he had spoken to Paul and all the great things he had to say to him, I wish Paul would have taken the time to do a small video greeting for GM like Ringo and Cilla did. Or they could have recorded his comments about GM and have played them there in the auditorium. He does have his plate full right now, so-to-speak, with the promotion of 'Ecce Cor Meum' and 'The Space Within Us' Dvd,etc. Well done, GM! You deserve this great honour,sir!

Great news! About time, after all the work he's done. Congrats Sir George, you certainly deserve the honor.

I watched the whole thing just for George (had to see his reactions to things when the camera panned to him in the audience, of course). Oh yeah, and Brian Wilson. But George, what a guy- I love him and I'm glad he's getting recognition from everybody.

I did not watch part of the show where sir George Martin was inducted. I missed it.

Good old George! deserves it indeed!

George Martin made his own good fortune by being intrigued by an audition tape that nobody else wanted.

go George!

Way to be, George!

Congrats Sir George!