SANTA MONICA, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Recording Academy) - The GRAMMY Foundation announced today that it will honor Sir
George Martin, a GRAMMY Trustees Award recipient, six-time GRAMMY Award winner and one of music's most successful and influential producers, at its annual signature gala Starry Night - an intimate benefit concert and dinner - on July 12, 2008, at the University of Southern California.
Martin will be the recipient of the Foundation's Leadership Award, which salutes noteworthy humanitarians whose charitable work and contributions align with the mission of the Foundation.
This prestigious award is being presented to
Martin in recognition of a lifetime of commitment and dedication to social, cultural, economic and educational issues spanning the globe. The annual benefit raises funds for the GRAMMY Foundation, which helps preserve our nation's musical heritage and provides programs that foster future generations of music professionals. Organized under the banner GRAMMY in the Schools, the Foundation's education programs for young people include GRAMMY Camp - held this year from July 12-26 at USC - as well as the Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles, GRAMMY Career Day, GRAMMY Signature Schools and GRAMMY SoundChecks.
"Throughout his legendary career, Sir George has had an impact on music and popular culture that is immeasurable," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy® and President of the GRAMMY Foundation. "We look forward to paying tribute to a man who has had an indelible influence on generations of music lovers around the world."
"Sir George's celebrated career has extended far beyond the recording studio," added Steve Schnur, GRAMMY Foundation Board Chair. "His is a lifetime commitment to both music and humanity, and it is only fitting that this year's Foundation Leadership Award honors one of the most iconic figures in music history."
Knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1996, producer, arranger, composer and author Martin is also listed in the Guinness World Records as the most successful producer ever, with more than 50 No. 1 hit records over five decades in America and Great Britain alone. The recordings he has produced have collectively sold more than 1 billion units worldwide. His award-winning work across every conceivable recording genre and style is unmatched. It includes classical, comedy, jazz, pop, country, R&B, rock and roll, film scores, television scores and more, producing the longest run of No. 1 hits songs in history - more than 36 years.
Of the hundreds of major artists with whom he has worked, a sampling includes: America, Aerosmith, Shirley Bassey, the Bee Gees, Jeff Beck, Bon Jovi, Jimmy Buffett, Jim Carrey, Cheap Trick, Cher, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Celine Dion, Dire Straits, Earth Wind & Fire, Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Getz, Goldie Hawn, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Elton John, Mark Knopfler, Cleo Laine, Paul McCartney, John McLaughlin, Joni Mitchell, Dudley Moore, Kenny Rogers, Neil Sedaka, Peter Sellers, Carly Simon, Sting, Jimmy Webb, the Who, Robin Williams, Brian Wilson, Paul Winter and Stevie Wonder.
As mentor and creative collaborator, Martin helped steward and bring to the world the Beatles - one of the most original, successful, and influential music phenomenons in popular music history. Best known as the Beatles' producer, he signed them and subsequently produced and arranged nearly all the Beatles' records, even playing on many of the most memorable John Lennon/Paul McCartney songs. In 1999, The New York Times noted, "Martin's talents shaped the Beatles' albums and their extraordinary legacy. Sir George and the Beatles changed music and popular culture forever."
Martin is currently in pre-production with PBS and Wildheart Entertainment on the eight-part prime-time showcase series, On Record: The Soundtrack Of Our Lives, a program that traces the history of recorded music and its impact on popular culture. The Wildheart Entertainment-produced epic series will feature hundreds of artists from all genres of music, and will be hosted by Martin and narrated by two-time Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey. On Record is slated to air nationally on PBS in fall 2010.
Martin, who is dedicated to a range of philanthropic causes, helped found the Prince's Trust with Prince Charles, which is a United Kingdom charity that helps young people overcome barriers and get their lives working. He also founded the Montserrat Foundation to aid in the rebuilding of the Caribbean island decimated by a volcano and the George Martin Music Foundation to construct an educational and cultural center there.
"My lifetime involvement in the music industry has been truly rewarding and my desire to encourage others, especially young people, to pursue a career in music is equally as strong," said Martin. "It is truly an honor to be recognized with the Leadership Award from the GRAMMY Foundation, an organization that works year-round to encourage and support music education in the lives of young people."
The star-studded event will feature performances by some of the most celebrated artists in the world. Multi-GRAMMY Award-winning producer and former GRAMMY Foundation Board member David Foster will serve as the evening's musical director. To purchase tables or tickets to the event, contact Dana Tomarken at 310.392.3777 or [email protected].
The GRAMMY Foundation was established in 1989 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture - from the artistic and technical legends of the past to the still unimagined musical breakthroughs of future generations of music professionals. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programs and activities that engage the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public. The Foundation works in partnership year-round with its founder, The Recording Academy, to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music and arts education and the urgency of preserving our rich cultural heritage. For more information, please visit www.grammyfoundation.com.
