TRIBUTE TO
Sir George MartinT
1926- 2016
Sir George Martin was one of music’s most versatile and imaginative talents, as record producer, arranger, composer, conductor, audio engineer and musician. Sir George and Lady Martin have been associated with Montserrat since the early 1970s when he visited and fell in love with the island. He had opened his AIR Studios in London in 1969, and his AIRStudios-Montserrat, built in 1978 and opened in 1979, made Montserrat a world renowned music/tourism destination.
Music Legends such as Paul McCartney, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and the Climax Blues Band visited to enjoy the tranquility of the island while they recorded their Music at AIRStudios-Montserrat. After Montserrat was devastated by volcanic activity, some of the artistes came together in 1997, under the leadership of Sir George and Lady Martin, to raise funds at a Concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London. On the same date “Many Happy Returns” concert was held in Montserrat to provide psychological and monetary relief to the people during the height of the crisis.
The Martins set up a charity, Montserrat Foundation UK, and raised further funds for the building and equipping of the Montserrat Cultural Centre at Little Bay. They also worked with the Montserrat UK Community and assisted resettlement of Montserratians in the UK. Sir George’s contribution to Montserrat continued up to his death through the provision of music teachers to the island through the Music for Montserrat programme.
His historic Montserrat home “Olveston House” housed the relocated Government Offices in 1996 and is now being shared as Guest House to provide much needed Tourist accommodation
The Montserrat National Trust honours the memory and contribution of Sir George Martin and thanks his family for sharing him with the people of Montserrat.
