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Martin made the

Beatles great

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

The Beatles wanted to be the best rock ’n’ roll band there ever was. George Martin made them into something more than that. In so doing, he broadened the appeal of the Beatles’ music, and not only created a more diverse musical experience for the listener, but he also gave all musicians, not just those who played guitar or drums, a way to identify with popular music.

All of a sudden, the “not cool” instruments were being heard on the biggest hits by the greatest band in the world. Songs like “Yesterday” and “Eleanor Rigby” created a connection for all string players. “Got to Get You Into My Life” brought all the horn players into the band. Woodwinds were happy to hear the flutes, clarinets, oboes and saxophones incorporated into “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away,” “When I’m Sixty-Four,” “All You Need Is Love” and many others.