Remembering When a Frustrated George Martin Had to Be Coaxed Back Into the Beatles
George Martin helped steward each Beatles album. His steady, experienced hand and a willingness to explore musical boundaries with the band’s four members made a huge difference. Throughout their catalog, his musical genius is a subtle constant.
But Martin nearly wasn’t a part of Abbey Road, the last album that the group ever recorded together. It took some last-minute convincing. Only then did he come aboard and offer his expertise on that monumental record.
George’s Anger
The Let It Be project, initially titled Get Back, did more damage to The Beatles than it was probably worth in the end. Among the casualties was George Martin’s ego. He was largely sidelined by the Fab Four during the sessions at the Twickenham film studio, which were being filmed for a documentary.
Martin later helped the band by convincing EMI to lend portable studios to the group when they decided to relocate the sessions to their Apple home base. But Martin disliked the chaotic nature of the recording process and the fact that the group wasn’t seeking his input as they had in the past.
When the sessions ended following the group’s rooftop concert in 1969, Martin truly thought that he was done with the Fab Four. He didn’t think they’d be able to patch up their personal relationships long enough to record another album together anyway. Martin was happily proven wrong on both counts. A Fateful Phone Call.
In the spring of 1969, Martin received a call from a familiar, yet somewhat timid-sounding voice on the other end of the line. Paul McCartney was phoning, hat in hand, asking if Martin would return to produce another record for The Beatles.
Source: americansongwriter.com/Jim Beviglia
