Kurt Cobain Influenced by George Martin, Says 'Nevermind' Producer

Kurt Cobain Influenced by George Martin, Says ‘Nevermind’ Producer

2016-03-17

Story by Cat Badra

Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain looked up to Beatles producer George Martin

Last week, legendary Beatles producer George Martin passed away, leaving a hole in the music world. Many artists were influenced by Martin and his work, including late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain.

Speaking with The Guardian, Burch Vig, who produced Nirvana’s seminal sophomore album “Nevermind,” discussed how Martin’s production with the Beatles included the sound and style of “Nevermind.”

“I can’t tell you how many bands I have worked with who would bring up Martin’s production techniques,” Vig says. “There was a point where I wanted Kurt Cobain to double-track his vocals on a song when we were recording ‘Nevermind,’ and he was reluctant to do so because he thought it sounded too fake and I said: ‘Well, John Lennon double-tracked his vocals.’ And as soon as I said that, Kurt said: ‘OK.’ He pretty much double-tracked all the vocals after that.”

Martin, who was often called “the fifth Beatle,” passed away on March 8 at age 90.