George Martin, the longtime Beatles producer who also often was referred to as The Fifth Beatle, has passed away at 80.

Martin passed away at his home earlier this week. The news was broken in a tweet from Ringo Star, who wrote, "God bless George Martin peace and love to Judy and his family love Ringo and Barbara George will be missed."

Martin signed the Beatles to Parlophone Records in 1962 when others had turned them down and produced all but one of their albums.

Sir Paul McCartney paid tribute to a "great man," saying, "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."

Many more tributes have poured in for Martin, including one from Sean Ono Lennon, son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, who said, "R.I.P. George Martin.

I'm so gutted I don't have many words. Thinking of Judy and Giles and family. Love Always, Sean."