George Martin’s first of two appearances on the long-running BBC radio series Desert Island Discs was broadcast on 31 July 1982.
The Beatles’ producer was interviewed by the show’s creator, Roy Plomley, and chose the eight records, luxury item and book he would take if stranded as a castaway on a desert island.
His choices were:
- Judy Garland & Mickey Rooney: ‘Good Mornin”
- Claude Debussy: ‘Prélude à l’après midi d’un faune’ (London Symphony Orchestra; soloist Peter Lloyd; conductor Andre Previn)
- Flanders and Swann: ‘A Song Of Patriotic Prejudice’
- Domenico Cimarosa: ‘Concerto in C Major For Oboe and Strings’ (Bamberg Symphony Orchestra; soloist Heinz Holliger; conductor Peter Maag)
- The Beatles: ‘Here, There And Everywhere’
- Peter Sellers: ‘Any Old Iron’
- The Beatles: ‘In My Life’
- Johann Sebastian Bach: ‘St Matthew Passion – Kommt, ihr Töchter’ (Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra; conductor Herbert von Karajan)
Martin’s chosen book was a manual on practical engineering, and his luxury item was a clavichord. If he were allowed to keep just one record from the eight it would be Bach’s ‘St Matthew Passion – Kommt, ihr Töchter’.
He appeared again on the show on 19 November 1995.
Last updated: 9 February 2023
Also on this day...
- 2023: Paul McCartney announces Australian tour dates
- 2015: Paul McCartney live: Lollapalooza 2015
- 2011: Paul McCartney live: Wrigley Field, Chicago
- 2010: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville
- 2008: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Dodge Theatre, Phoenix
- 2003: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville
- 1995: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati
- 1989: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls
- 1969: Recording: You Never Give Me Your Money, Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight
- 1968: Recording: Hey Jude
- 1968: The Apple Boutique closes down
- 1967: John Lennon and Paul McCartney return to England from Greece
- 1963: The Beatles live: Imperial Ballroom, Nelson
- 1961: The Beatles live: Litherland Town Hall, Liverpool
- 1961: The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime)
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.