Without George Martin, the Beatles would have been just another pop group. He is the one who gave them permission and space to develop. It is hard to imagine anyone else at that time -- remember this was before the Beatles!! -- combining classical music training, working on Peter Sellers' records (the crucial Indian music sounds), Goon shows, and so on. Martin latched on to both their rock background and their "songster" background (complex songs like Besame Mucho as part of their staple act) and ensured they could combine them both. After a while, once they had the idea and were rolling, they needed him less. But he was their oxygen at an early stage. George Martin is being typically modest.

yours,

Peter T.