The Beatles were revolutionaries – they left music, pop culture, film, the very concept of stardom altered by their massive footprint.
George Martin was a quiet revolutionary: the genius connector who drew inspiration from a variety of musical streams and help shape pop songs that transcended their genre. (One voice professor of mine said she never liked The Beatles until she heard Eleanor Rigby, which was accompanied by a string quartet that Martin arranged.) His imprint is on so many of the creative choices that make The Beatles great.
There is tremendous value in standing ever so slightly to the side of fame/power/success, and quietly affecting the world. Martin left the world this week at 90, but left behind a powerful legacy of musical revolution.
Whenever I see a “Which Beatle are you” quiz pop up, I never take it because I know which one I want to be – George Martin.