First, I came across and video interview (I'll try find the source), but I believe I've remembered correctly.
When Paul was asked: would Beatles be so much popular/good had they not met George Martin, he replied:
- We would be big - but not as that big we became!
Re-e-e-eally?
Yes - you would be surely a very popular bend. In Germany alone. Or maybe in Liverpool alone. Maybe just in Liverpool area, maybe only in England and not in the U. S. Who knows?
Next. John:
John Lennon trivialised Martin's importance to the Beatles' music. In his 1970 interview with Jann Wenner, Lennon said, "[Dick James is] another one of those people, who think they made us. They didn't. I'd like to hear Dick James' music and I'd like to hear George Martin's music, please, just play me some."[67] In a 1971 letter to Paul McCartney, Lennon wrote, "When people ask me questions about 'What did George Martin really do for you?,' I have only one answer, 'What does he do now?' I noticed you had no answer for that! It's not a putdown, it's the truth."[68] Lennon wrote that Martin took too much credit for the Beatles' music. Commenting specifically on "Revolution 9", Lennon said with ironic authority, "For Martin to state that he was 'painting a sound picture' is pure hallucination. Ask any of the other people involved. The final editing Yoko and I did alone."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Martin
Again, re-e-e-eally John?
OK, I understand that Lennon wanted to disconnect himself from his former band, so he was negative about it. But this...?
"[Dick James is] another one of those people, who think they made us. They didn't. I'd like to hear Dick James' music and I'd like to hear George Martin's music, please, just play me some.
Well, you know, I'd like to read some good poetry from John. Like you know, Shakespeare. So, can someone show me John's song or poem which is good as that man from Stratford-upon-Avon?
Or - can someone show my a rock'n'roll song written by William Shakespeare?
You know, John, if someone is a very good singers/songwriter - what does that mean - that everyone should do song-sing-writing?
Where is George Martin's music? GM music equals Beatle's Music - it is there, on records, CDs etc, you just press to play and enjoy!
It was Martin's idea to make a strings arrangement for 'Yesterday'. Moreover, I read somewhere that Paul initially disliked the idea.
So, if the song had only Paul's guitar - or whatever he had in mind - I don't know - maybe it would be great, maybe it wouldn't.
Also, it was Martin's idea to record 'Eleanor Rigby' without the Beatles playing on the track - they were just singing.
(Ringo's drumming was great on that song! - if I may joke!
).
OK, the Fab Four and their Producer had some disagreements (he wanted to replace Ringo initially), and they didn't agree on some other things at the start of the career,
but it was him ho connected together everything they composed/wrote.
And no - Martin wasn't the Fifth Beatle. Sir George Martin was the
First Beatle.