PBS To Air George Martin Backed Series ‘Soundbreaking’

Prior to passing away last week, legendary producer Sir George Martin had a hand in creating a new eight-part television series set to air on PBS called Soundbreaking: Stories From The Cutting Edge Of Recorded Music. Martin’s son Giles Martin also contributed to the final project his father worked on, which will premiere two episodes today at SXSW, with the full series coming to PBS in November.

Over 150 artists and producers were recruited to discuss the process that went into making some of their best-known recordings. Directed and produced by Jeff Dupre and Maro Chermayeff, the series includes interviews with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Brian Eno, Bonnie Raitt, Mickey Hart, Questlove, Roger Waters, Roger Daltrey, Glen Johns, Don Was and many more across its eight episodes.

“Music is the only common thread and universal language that binds us together regardless of race, nationality, age or income,” Sir George Martin said prior to his passing. “And, recorded music is how we experience it and what makes it accessible. Soundbreaking afforded me the opportunity to tell the story of the creative process of so many of the artists I have worked with throughout my life.”

Rolling Stone magazine premiered a trailer for Soundbreaking which can be viewed here:

Soundbreaking will broadcast on PBS stations weeknights from November 14 – 23 at 10 p.m. ET. Here’s a rundown of the eight episodes:

• George Martin and the Beatles’ groundbreaking work in the studio creates a new paradigm for pop music
• Phil Spector’s rise as the first ‘rock star producer’
• Paul Epworth’s collaboration with Adele on “Rolling in the Deep”
• Stevie Wonder embraces the synthesizer and makes a break with Motown
• Giorgio Moroder fuses R&B with electronica and the dance floor explodes
• The art of sampling gives rise to hip hop
• Michael Jackson and Madonna take the art of the music video to new heights
• Miles Davis and Marvin Gaye use the long-playing record for new kinds of expression

Last week, in response to Martin’s death at age 90, the producers of Soundbreaking, posted a video tribute to the late “Fifth Beatle” culled from footage made for the series. Watch it here: