Wed Mar 09, 2016 11:14 am
Record producer Sir George Martin, known as the "fifth Beatle", has died, aged 90.
His family thanked "everyone for their thoughts, prayers and messages of support" after his death at home on Tuesday, his manager said.
Beatles drummer Ringo Starr broke the news on Twitter and led tributes, saying Sir George "will be missed".
Sir George signed The Beatles and produced more than 700 records.
He also worked with artists including Gerry and the Pacemakers, Dame Shirley Bassey and Cilla Black.
"I have so many wonderful memories of this great man that will be with me forever," said Sir Paul McCartney in a statement on his website.
"He was a true gentleman and like a second father to me. He guided the career of The Beatles with such skill and good humour that he became a true friend to me and my family. If anyone earned the title of the fifth Beatle it was George.
"From the day that he gave The Beatles our first recording contract, to the last time I saw him, he was the most generous, intelligent and musical person I've ever had the pleasure to know."
Manager Adam Sharp said: "The family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and messages of support.
"In a career that spanned seven decades, he was an inspiration to many and is recognised globally as one of music's most creative talents. He was a true gentleman to the end."
A carpenter's son from Holloway in north London, Sir George helped The Beatles achieve global success as the head of the Parlophone record label after hearing their demo tape in 1962.
He took them from their mop-top pop recordings of the early 1960s to the psychedelia of Sergeant Pepper.