Sir George and Lady Martin

SIR GEORGE MARTIN was named the most successful and influential music producer of the 20th Century by USA Today. To be recognized as such here in America by the Grammy Foundation has been as Sir George stated, one of the highlights of his life and an extreme honor, he felt very proud. He’s been inducted into the Hall of Fame, listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most successful producer ever with more than 50 #1 hit record’s over five decades, and collectively he’s sold more than one billion units worldwide.

It was thanks to new found friend Tom Hannon, owner of www.albatrosrecordingstudios.com in Ventura (805) 650-6434 who brought the event to my attention and a delightfully charming and extremely helpful Christina Cassidy, communications manager of www.grammyfoundation.com and www.musicians.com the music organization devoted to helping young people develop their musical skills.

On Friday July 11, at USC Board Auditorium, we got to see and hear a presentation of 82-year-young Sir George Martin with video clips and memories of his life starting with PolyGram Records to his taking on The Beatles when every other record company had turned them down. His grooming and guiding of these four talented and creative lads through their musical career was to his advantage when they no longer wanted to do live performances (but of course to Brian Epstein a huge disappointment). The Making of Sergeant Pepper was a breakthrough in sound and music at that time. It was like a history of our lives and one of the most extraordinarily interesting evenings I think I have ever spent. Sir George is a very modest man, yet very much has that British sense of applying oneself, to get results.

Jimmy Jam, Neil Portnow, Yoko Ono, Sir George Martin, and President/CEO of Borders Books George Jones attend the Grammy Foundation's annual Starry Night gala, which this year honored Sir George Martin July 12 at USC.

The following day Sir George was honored by a Starry Night Tribute Dinner and Concert at USC. Among the many celebrity guests was the host for many years of Breakfast with the Beatles Chris Carter of KLOS, every Sunday 9-12am, a show that’s been running for at least 25 years.

What a night! From the red carpet: Sir George and Lady Judy Martin, their son Giles, Burt Bacharach, Kurt Elling, Chris Botti, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Michael McDonald, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Jam, Yoko Ono, Olivia Harrison, David Foster, Jeff Lynne, Chris Martin, Gerry Buckley, Dewey Burnell, Guy Berryman, Bijou Phillips, Rene Olstead, William Joseph, Dave Grusin, Alison Sudol, Jimmy Webb, Tom Jones, Ricky Minor, Naomi Sommers, Jonny Buckland, Joe Walsh, David Paich, and group America to name few.

Opening the show was the current president of the Grammy Foundation, Neil Portnow, who is also president and CEO of The Recording Academy; with George Jones, as the CEO of Borders Books and the Grammy Foundation’s new Board Chair, plus Steve Schnur who is worldwide executive of music and marketing for Electronic Arts, a Grammy Foundation Board member and outgoing Board chair.

Each performer played or sang music from Sir George’s huge ‘music book.’ Jeff Beck blew us all away with a rendition of A Day in the Life on guitar as only he can play. Alison Sudol got the crowd singing and was very entertaining (a future star in the making?). The ever popular Sir Tom Jones gave us two songs to the delight of the audience. In all, an absolutely fabulous evening! I chatted with Tom after the show and had a picture taken with him. I told him our readers would never forgive me if I didn’t.

Giles Martin was telling me how he’d collaborated with his father on the highly successful Beatles show Love now running in Vegas. (Carman Phil and wife Pat attended opening night and swore it was the best show they’ve ever seen!!) Thank you Sir George for what you’ve given us over the years. The world is a better place with you in it! Noticeably absent, though invited, were Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, both on tour.

An even more noticeable absence now will be Jennifer Gardner MBE who after 31 years has left the British Consulate General’s Office. Jennifer had been the personal assistant to seven Consuls General in LA. 300 loyal Brits and friends paid tribute to her recently at the Marriott Hotel in Marina Del Rey, organized by Gillian Campbell, Dorothy Storer and Tim Burkinshaw.

Ms Jennifer Gardner at her going-away party

An emotional evening, to say the least. Jennifer has served royals, politicians, celebrities and the common folks alike in her career. She has done so in the most loving and charming way possible, with everyone treated the same. She cares about everyone and that was not lost as she was presented with a Commendation Book from all previous Consuls General, the Governor of California, the Mayor of Los Angeles, The County of Los Angeles, Orange County, the Chief of Police of LA as well as the Sheriff and numerous other entertainment and high profile business people, and a bicycle to not only keep her fit, but to beat the gas crunch. There will be no excuse for her not to visit anyone of us.

Jennifer Gardner surely has to be one of the most admired, respected and loved of all the Brits in the colonies!! Not that she’ll retire. She’s way too young and a lady of her talents will be quickly snapped up. For 31 years she held the Brits together as our goodwill ambassador. Maybe we can create a new post? There’s no one that knows more Brits out here than she does. How about “Brits Incorporated?” Now that has a nice ring to it. She is our Constant Gardner!

Ventura is going all out for an attractive place to visit. July 20th found a classic car show at Mission Park that drew both British and American autos. That was followed July 26th with the film premier of Ventura born and raised Kevin Costner and his new movie Swing Vote. 500 people paid $500 dollars to see the new movie with proceeds going to charity with a spectacular party that followed celebrating the long awaited opening of the Watermark Restaurant, where we enjoyed the privilege of eating oysters, crab, lobster, tri-tip and lamb chops (Delicious!) and mixing with Mayor Christie Weir, Deputy Mayor Bill Fulton with daughter Sara, council member Ed Sommers and City Manager Rick Cole.

Then we walked down the street to an outside stage where Kevin Costner performed with his band for a “free concert” to thank Ventura. Ten thousand people showed up including a lot of local Brits. It was brilliant! Everyone made it a fun day

The next day the Central Coast British Car Club held their 18th annual show in the Channel Islands (Oxnard Harbor) which drew over 200 cars. In fact, I think every type of auto to ever be made in GB was on display. Presided over by Gary Rice, president of CCBCC. Well worth attending. An excellent turnout by many Brits, both owners and public alike! www.centralcoastbritishcarclub.com

Hope to see you at Rod Stewart’s Soccer Match August 3 England vs. Scotland in Rolling Hills Estates www.britsatnansen.com or the Royal Society of St George 5th anniversary garden party RSVP to Marion White (310) 514-3773

I almost forgot. The only thing lacking in Ventura, Channel Islands, Oxnard area is a good British Pub. Well that is soon to come to an end. Gary Richards, formerly of the Fox and Hounds and the White Harte Pubs, soccer buff, and The 2G’s fame has sought fit to hear our impassioned cries and is opening (subject to local permits) The Lookout Bar and Grill at 2800 S. Harbor Blvd, Oxnard 93058 in the Channel Islands Harbor (805) 985-6100 www.thelookoutpubchannelislands.com

It’s on the first floor (second floor to you Yanks) and overlooks the harbor, a magnificent view, hence “The Lookout” name. Inside it’s delightfully comfortable and very British, to make a Brit proud and to feel at home, but with good weather. I’ve been following Gary ‘s success for many years now and I’m sure by the end of the month there will be an official opening worth attending. I think we’ll just move the LA Office of the UJ over there with that view. Why not?