by With classic Beatles hits such as All You Need Is Love and We Can Work It Out, Sir George Martin was instrumental in creating the soundtrack for a generation’s relaxed view of relationship strife.
But the legendary music producer’s family has been embroiled in an apparent rivalry since his death in 2016.
That has now resurfaced, in the form of controversy over an initiative to donate instruments to children in the Caribbean in the name of Martin’s musical legacy.
Martin’s firstborn, Alexis Stratfold, appears to have been overlooked by the organizers of a ceremony in which the Guernsey government is giving more than 30 instruments to young musicians in the British Overseas Territory of Montserrat.
Ms Stratfold’s friends are furious that although Martin’s two children from his second marriage, Lucie and Giles, were invited as representatives of their father’s foundation to the transfer ceremony on the island, she appears to have been left out.
This comes despite the fact that Miss Stratfold – Martin’s daughter from his first marriage in 1948 to Jean “Sheena” Chisholm – lives on the island of Alderney, which is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
“It is appalling and heartbreaking that she should be excluded from this charity event organized in honor of her late father as her first born child and indeed the only one of his children living in the Bailiwicks,” said a friend. “It’s as if she’s being airbrushed out of his life, which is very poignant.”
A source close to Miss Stratfold said: “It’s only right that Alexis should be invited to take part in the handover ceremony for what should be a wonderful initiative to help children pursue their passion for music, which represents pioneering work. her father as a pioneer. record producer.”
Announcing the initiative to donate the instruments to Montserrat, the Guernsey government said: “There is a musical connection between Montserrat and the Bailiwick of Guernsey through the family of Sir George Martin, the producer of the Beatles, who lived in Alderney and Montserrat during his life , and So it was decided to continue this connection with the donation of violins, violas, cellos, clarinets, French horns and a drum set, with accessories such as instruction books, reeds and drumsticks. Mr Martin’s children, Giles and Lucie, are also supporting the donation.
“The instruments will be formally received in Montserrat by Giles and Lucie Martin and the island’s governor, Mrs Sarah Tucker, at a special event at the end of the month.”
Tim Wright, Head of Guernsey Music Service, said: “George Martin was an inspirational producer, and many of the biggest names in music were recorded at his studio in Montserrat. The fact that he and his family connect us to Montserrat only makes this more special, especially as Giles produced the Beatles’ recent release Now and Then which was released in November.”
But friends of Ms Stratfold have revealed that as her first child, born in 1953, her memories of her father’s career in music – when he produced The Beatles’ hit singles and albums from 1963 to 1969 – a strong and close bond. his heritage.
“It’s obscene to ignore Alexis when it comes to anything related to George Martin’s legacy. After all, she’s been there the longest,” said a close confidante.
The dispute over the origins of Montserrat is the latest chapter in the long-running feud between the two halves of the family of the man known as ‘the fifth Beatle’.
Martin, who died aged 90, is said to have left £325,000 – a sum small enough to avoid UK inheritance tax – to be shared between Alexis and several others, including his former driver, three grandchildren and niece Martin’s eldest son, Gregory, Alexis’ brother, was written out of the will entirely.
The remainder of Martin’s £1million estate – a figure disputed by some – is understood to have gone to his 87-year-old widow, Judy Lockhart Smith, mother of Lucie and Giles.
“It was never about money for Alexis,” the friend said. “George Martin’s first wife and children were being erased from the history books – as this latest bit shows again. It’s unfair.”
In one very fortunate incident, all four of Martin’s children were invited to attend a major performance of his music, but Miss Stratfold and her brother Greg were asked to sit in the stalls while Martin sat in the royal box with Lucie and Giles, who followed his music. . father in record production.
A spokesman for the Guernsey government said: “The arrangements for the event to receive the instruments are being managed by Montserrat.”
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office sources said that, as part of the Guernsey initiative, the George Martin Foundation “has donated some funds to support music in Montserrat” and that invitations to the handover ceremony “were open to members of the foundation which will be held. in Montserrat”.
Giles Martin has been approached for comment.
