Paul McCartney, the former Beatle, has paid a moving tribute to producer George Martin, who has died at the age of 90, calling him a second father and confirming his status as the band's fifth member.The singer, who with John Lennon wrote the Beatles' hit singles and albums that enthralled a generation, said Martin "was the most generous, intelligent and musical person I've ever had the pleasure to know".McCartney said: "I'm so sad to hear the news of the passing of dear George Martin. I have so many wonderful memories of this great man that will be with me forever. 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."McCartney paid tribute to the creative genius of Martin, crediting him with introducing the band to new instruments and recording techniques.He said: "It's hard to choose favourite memories of my time with George, there are so many, but one that comes to mind was the time I brought the song Yesterday to a recording session and the guys in the band suggested that I sang it solo and accompany myself on guitar."After I had done this, George Martin said to me: 'Paul, I have an idea of putting a string quartet on the record'. I said, 'Oh no, George, we are a rock 'n' roll band and I don't think it's a good idea.' With the gentle bedside manner of a great producer he said to me: 'Let us try it and if it doesn't work we won't use it and we'll go with your solo version.' I agreed to this and went to his house the next day to work on the arrangement."He took my chords that I showed him and spread the notes out across the piano, putting the cello in the low octave and the first violin in a high octave and gave me my first lesson in how strings were voiced for a quartet," he said."When we recorded the string quartet at Abbey Road, it was so thrilling to know his idea was so correct that I went round telling people about it for weeks. His idea obviously worked because the song subsequently became one of the most recorded songs ever, with versions by Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye and thousands more."McCartney added: "This is just one of the many memories I have of George,who went on to help me with arrangements on Eleanor Rigby, Live and Let Die and many other songs of mine."I am proud to have known such a fine gentleman with such a keen sense of humour, who had the ability to poke fun at himself. Even when he was knighted by the queen there was never the slightest trace of snobbery about him."My family and I, to whom he was a dear friend, will miss him greatly and send our love to his wife, Judy, and their kids, Giles and Lucy and the grandkids."The world has lost a truly great man who left an indelible mark on my soul and the history of British music. God bless you George and all who sail in you!" ..