'Fifth Beatle' George Martin laid to rest in private ceremony

George Martin, producer of the Beatles, has been laid to rest.

The Beatles producer George Martin has been laid to rest in a private ceremony in southwest England.

Martin, who was often dubbed the Fifth Beatle, died on March 8 aged 90. A whole host of tributes poured in on social media from stars worldwide, including Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.

Martin was laid to rest on Monday surrounded by family and friends at a private funeral at All Saints Church in Coleshill, Wiltshire, England, where he lived and passed away.

A neighbour tells Britain's The Sun newspaper, "It was a very quiet affair."

He is survived by wife Judy Lockhart Smith and their children Lucy and Giles, plus children Alexis and Gregory from his first marriage to Sheena Chisholm.

Following his death, McCartney wrote a lengthy tribute on his personal website, calling Martin his "second father".

A passage reads, "I'm so sad to hear the news of the passing of dear George Martin. I have so many wonderful memories of this great man that will be with me forever. He was a true gentleman and like a second father to me.

"He guided the career of The Beatles with such skill and good humour that he became a true friend to me and my family.

"If anyone earned the title of the fifth Beatle it was George. From the day that he gave The Beatles our first recording contract, to the last time I saw him, he was the most generous, intelligent and musical person I've ever had the pleasure to know."

Martin's final project was an eight-part documentary series about record producing called Soundbreaking: Stories From the Cutting Edge of Recorded Music.

Two episodes of the show, which features Starr, Elton John and Bonnie Raitt, premieres at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas this week ahead of an airing on US TV in November.

- AAP