Sir George Martin, the record producer known as the “Fifth Beatle”, has died aged 90, Ringo Starr has said on Twitter.

Sir George helped the Beatles achieve global success as the head of the Parlophone record label after hearing their demo tape in 1962.

Ringo, 75, tweeted again, sharing a picture of the Fab Four and Sir George.

Sir George was the man who made the Beatles.

Not only did he give the band their record deal, but he brought their visions to life and pieced together their recordings from fragments of tape amassed during long hours in the Abbey Road studios.

Sir George Martin with Ringo Starr (Kevork Djansezian/AP/PA)

 

The Liverpool quartet had been turned down by every record company as they tried to make it in the music business.

But when Martin – then head of the Parlophone label – heard their demo tape in 1962, then attended an audition session, he spotted something special.

The Beatles, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison(PA)

 

There began the partnership which would turn the Fab Four into the world’s greatest band and change the face of popular music.