His career as a producer began when he joined EMI’s Parlophone label as a promotions man in 1958.

It was not long before his potential for production was noticed by Sir George when he discovered young songwriter Jerry Lordan and produced his hits I’ll Stay Single and Who Could Be Bluer? in 1960.

After working with Paul Raven, who later became Gary Glitter, and Clyde Valley Stompers Richards was assigned to record Parlophone’s new signing – The Beatles.

Their first session in June 1962 prompted a shake-up of drummers and discussions between Richards and Sir George over who would be band leader.

A week later both helped to produce The Beatles first Parlophone single, Love Me Do, and its B side P.S. I Love You, which was subsequently released in December that year.

Throughout his long career Richards produced records for Ella Fitzgerald, The Hollies and The Spencer Davis Group, and even worked on the soundtrack for the iconic Beatles film Yellow Submarine.

He retired after his final album with The Hollies, 5317704, in 1979, after he felt production had become a young man’s game.

He died on April 30.