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'Fifth Beatle' Sir George Martin Has Died; Latest on US Election Campaign; French Football Association Offices Searched in Regards to FIFA Probe; Iran Reports Test Launches of Two Missiles; Total Solar Eclipse Seen Across Indonesia, Pacific. Aired 3-3:30a ET

Aired March 09, 2016 - 03:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[03:00:00] ERROL BARNETT, CNN NEWSROOM SHOW HOST: You are watching CNN. I'm Errol Barnett at CNN center.

We want to begin this hour with breaking news. The legendary record producer who brought The Beatles to the world has passed away. Sir George Martin Management Company says the 90-year-old died peacefully at home on Tuesday.

He signed The Beatles to a contract in 1962 and produced and arranged most of their music. He worked with other artist in a career that spanned seven decades. But his collaboration with The Beatles was unsurpassed, earning him the name 'Fifth Beatle.'

Fred Pleitgen joins us now from London on the phone with more on this. Fred, this is the type of musical great that the death is usually followed by many mentions from celebrities and musicians who worked with him. What can you tell us about George Martin?

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Errol, that's exactly what's happening. Certainly many people coming and giving condolences for this actually legend of the music industry.

David Cameron is among them, Ringo Starr is among them, many musicians, as well, Boy George. There are many who are coming in and just expressing their condolences. And really not only saying that this was a man, obviously, who is well known for believing in The Beatles and for making The Beatles famous, but also for basically creating The Beatle's, creating the way that they sound, which of course want something that very much led to their popularity as well.

Many people also pointing out, of course, that The Beatles was not his only achievement. That he worked with many, many others including Elton John, including Jeff Beck, including Celine Dion, you name it. So, this is certainly someone who had a very big career, a very important career. Died when he was 90 years old. And someone who is absolutely being celebrated right here, not only in this country, of course, but around the world, Errol.

BARNETT: He had such a rich and full life. He's been described as, you know, The Beatles would have been a band if not an orchestra if it were not for him. What -- what -- did he have any health issues, do we know what led up to his passing? PLEITGEN: Well, he turned 90 years old, so he did -- he did live to a

very, very old age. And one of the last big projects that he had with The Beatles music was, so when he was 80 years old. So, this was a man who certainly that works until he was at a very old age, and certainly someone who might have had small health issues but whose passing is certainly is something that is of natural causes.

And you know, one of the things that people keep saying now that he has to weighs that it was so important for him to collaborate with The Beatles not just because they had been rejected by so many record labels in the early 1960s.

And in 1962, he apparently heard their sound and he felt that there was something special too. He didn't believe that they were great song writer but he certainly believed that they had a special sound to them.

And that's when he started to rearranging their music, spent endless hours at the Abbey Road Studios pouring over the music as trying to give that special ring to it. And that certainly as many people credit with making this one of the biggest bands of all time, Errol.

BARNETT: And moments ago, or just about an hour ago or so, you had Ringo Starr send out condolences over social media, he sent out a message on Twitter. We have it on the screens here, one of the messages he sent there, quote, "Thank you for all your live and kindness, George. Peace and love."

As you mentioned, Fred, Prime Minister David Cameron has already made comments on his passing. Are there any other producers or musical great like this in the U.K.? It's the kind of career that is really unmatched in many ways?

PLEITGEN: It is, it is certainly very much unmatched. And of course one of the reason why it is also unmatched is because it came during a time that rock in roll music, pop music was really being pioneered and very much being pioneered in the United Kingdom. It was the time that the United Kingdom was really the center of the music universe.

You have bands like The Beatles of course, then you had the Rolling Stones as well. And really the time when people were experimenting with this kind of music as well.

And one of the things that he said, that it was one of the most beautiful moments for him, was the first time that he heard John Lennon play "Strawberry Fields" because it was such a new and such a special sound.

So, this was really a time when music that had never been heard before was being created a very exciting, a very pioneering time. And this meant certainly was very much at the heart of it and certainly driving that forward.

And it is something that his management agency also said as well, they said over the span of his very long career he was always someone who pioneered in music, who came up with new sounds, who believed in new talents and, therefore, brought the music industry forward.

[03:05:04] So, certainly someone who I would necessarily say is completely unmatched but certainly someone who is very much unrivalled not just in making these bands popular and bringing them out, but certainly also in driving the music forward, driving the sound forward as well, Errol.

BARNETT: Fred Pleitgen is on the line with us from London as we discuss the impact of George Martin's life. The man known as the Fifth Beatle has passed away at the age of 90. Fred, we'll speak with you a short time from now.

Well, one interesting point to make just for our viewers is this is the man credited for really discovering The Beatles and developing their sound. There's an interesting quote I want to read to you from him. When he met The Beatles he said first in 1962, quote, "I didn't think much of their songs at all."

This is what he told jazzwax.com, he went on to say, quote, "But they learned so quickly how to write a hit. They were like plants in a hot house. They grew incredibly fast." Many people saying he wasn't just a collaborator to The Beatles but somewhat of a father figure. The Beatles described as scruffy lads from Liverpool. This was a man who worked with them and tried to really develop their sound into what is now world renowned.

Joining us from Los Angeles is Shirley Halperin, she's a news director of Billboard and the music editor of the Hollywood reporter. Shirley, thanks for joining us. First, I just want to get your reaction to the passing of Sir George Martin.

Shirley, if you can hear me, this is Errol. You're on the air. What's your reaction to the passing of George Martin? All right. We'll try and reconnect with Shirley in just a moment.

You're seeing some footage there from Sir George Martin here in these past few years. He was characterized as well as a very typically modest man, coming from a working class neighborhood. He went on, though, throughout his career to win Grammy Awards and Academy Award.

He received the Knighthood in 1966. He signed The Beatles back in 192. And as we've just mentioned, passed away at the age of 90. Working not just with The Beatles, but also the likes of Elton John, Celine Dion.

And for those of you with a memory that stretches back further, he worked with Phillip Black, Jerry and Peacemakers as well. We will continue to cover reaction to the death of George Martin, so, please, do stay with us for that.

For the moment, we to want switch to the U.S. presidential election where republican frontrunner Donald Trump is pulling further ahead of the pack with wins in the Mississippi and Michigan primaries and the Hawaii caucuses.

First, we want to show you the numbers out of Mississippi as they came in just a few hours ago. You see there, Donald Trump pulling in 47 percent of the vote, followed closely by Ted Cruz at 36 percent. There's 40 delegates there. They will be assigned proportionately.

So, a big win for Donald Trump. Take a look at the numbers in Michigan. Donald Trump also coming in first place with more than 36 percent of the vote and Ted Cruz, as you see, not too far behind at 24 percent.

Let's take a look at the Hawaiian republican caucuses where the story is the same. The votes may be smaller but votes are similar. Donald Trump first place there with 44 percent. And in Idaho, Ted Cruz changing the narrative quite a bit, winning that republican primary at 45 percent.

Throughout all of those you will have noticed that Marco Rubio, the establishment figure, is falling even further behind and yet to receive any delegates.

Now Donald Trump spoke to supporters and took questions at his campaign headquarters in Jupiter, Florida. It was, I guess you could call it, half press conference and half infomercial as Trump showed off a number of his products.

We're talking about Trump steaks, Trump wines and Trump's bottled water. The billionaire businessman says he's most impressed by the large republican turnout but he was disappointed by all the negative advertising. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, (R) U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I don't think I've ever had so many horrible, horrible things said about me in one week. Thirty eight million dollars' worth of horrible lies, but that's OK. It shows you how brilliant the public is because they knew they were lies and it was just really amazing to watch.

And to get these kinds of numbers where they call them immediately is just very special. So, I want to thank the public, I want to thank the people of Michigan. I want to thank the people of Mississippi. And it is such a great honor.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[03:09:59] BARNETT: Donald Trump there just a few hours ago. Once again, Ted Cruz is the projected winner in the Idaho republican primary. He was hoping for a strong showing in other states as well to prove he is the one republican candidate who can beat Donald Trump. Listen to what he told supporters earlier in North Carolina.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TED CRUZ, (R) U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Our incredible victories in Kansas and Maine were driven by people from other campaigns coming and joining us, coming together, saying the only way to beat Donald Trump is if we stand together.

(APPLAUSE) What Donald Trump wants is he wants us divided. If we are divided, he wins the nomination and Hillary becomes president. If we unite, that is not going to happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BARNETT: Speaking of Hillary Clinton, the democrats, both Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders battle it out all night in Michigan for its 130 delegates. And surprisingly, Sanders pulled off an upset. This is after especially every poll predicted a Clinton win by double digits.

But take a look at how the numbers fell in the end. Bernie Sanders getting just about 50 percent of the vote to Hillary Clinton, 48.2. Those delegates will be split equally between them. Sanders and Clinton clashed repeatedly over issues that are very important to Michigan voters like the auto industry bailout and free trade agreements.

Meantime, Clinton won quickly and early in Mississippi. And that really was a resounding win at 82 percent of the primary vote there to Senator Bernie Sanders' 16 percent.

Keep in mind in the overall race, Clinton has a sizeable delegate lead over Sanders, roughly double what he has at this stage. She rallied Tuesday night in Ohio. That's a state that holds its primary next week. Clinton told supporters the republicans are an embarrassment to the presidential race.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON, (D) U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm proud of the campaign that Senator Sanders and I are running. We have our differences, which you can see when we debate, but I'll tell you what, those differences pale in comparison to what's happening on the republican side.

(CROWD CHEERING)

Every time you think it can't get any uglier, they find a way. And as the rhetoric keeps sinking lower, the stakes in this election keep rising higher. Now, running for president shouldn't be about delivering insults. It should be about delivering results for the American people.

(CROWD CHEERING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BARNETT: Now, Bernie Sanders viewed Michigan as a chance to cut into Clinton's lead, which he did, but before Michigan's results were even known, he pledged to take his bid for the presidency all the way to the democratic convention in July no matter what the delegate count is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BERNIE SANDERS, (D) U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: What we have got to show the American people is that when we don't allow the Trumps of the world to divide us up.

(CROWD CHEERING)

When we stand together, black and white, Latino, gay and straight.

(CROWD CHEERING)

They may have all of the money and all of the power. But you know what we got, you're seeing it here tonight. We have the people.

(CROWD CHEERING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BARNETT: And we have this news just into CNN. Authorities in Paris have searched the offices of the French Football Federation as part of a Swiss probe into former FIFA president, Sepp Blatter.

The Swiss Attorney General's Office says the investigators seized documents related to a suspected payment of $2 million that relates to the probe. Swiss prosecutors are investigating Blatter for criminal mismanagement of funds. Blatter has denied those allegations.

After the break, we'll have more of the day's biggest stories for you, including breaking news out of North Korea. Stay with us.

[03:15:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BARNETT: Iran's state-run press TV reports the country's revolutionary guard test-fired two ballistic missiles. This is a day after earlier missile test through criticism from the U.S. The missiles are part of a military exercise fired from Northern Iran and able to hit targets 1400 kilometers away.

We'll keep you posted on any developments on that story.

There are new claims about North Korea's nuclear program. State-run media report that the country has miniaturized nuclear warheads to fit on ballistic missiles.

I want to show you some images from the state-run newspaper. As you see, they show leader Kim Jong-un visiting a facility where the warheads were allegedly made.

Now CNN cannot confirm those claims but they follow the country's warning of a pre-emptive nuclear strike in a response to joint U.S./South Korean military exercises.

Our Paula Hancocks joins us now live from Seoul with the latest on this. Paula, it's yet another troubling development from the north. What can you tell us?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Errol, this is the first time we've seen these kinds of photos, the photo of the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un standing next to what North Korea claims is a miniaturized nuclear warhead.

So, it's certainly a significant development. Of course we don't know the date and the location of these photos. As you say, we can't independently confirm the veracity of them. They are from a North Korean state-run newspaper.

But what North Korea is saying and what Kim Jong-un himself is saying for the first time is that they have managed to miniaturize a nuclear warhead. Now North Korea itself has said that in the past, but this is the first time we're hearing it from the North Korean leader.

We just heard a response from South Korea the defense ministry saying that they assess that North Korea didn't secure the capability of miniaturizing a nuclear warhead.

So, it looks like South Korea is not believing these photos. Certainly intelligence agencies around the world will be pouring over the photos to see if they give them any indication of exactly what their capability is.

Now we do know that U.S. officials have said in the past they believe North Korea has this ability to miniaturize a nuclear weapon but obviously have not tested this capability.

Now this would be significant because they would then be able to put the nuclear weapon on the tip of a missile and fire it where they wanted to. So, obviously that's a capability the rest of the world does not want North Korea to have. Errol.

BARNETT: And what's strange, Paula, is that it was just last week we had these new sanctions approved on North Korea, much more firm sanctions. They limit sales of natural resources, things like coal, and iron ore, mandatory cargo inspections to ban on small arm sales.

And that was in response to the so-called satellite test. What should we make of the fact that you have these U.S./South Korean military drills and yet, the North Koreans continue to make such bold threats?

HANCOCKS: I think that's probably the reason the north is continuing to make these bold threats. They reacted directly to the U.N. sanctions last week. Kim Jong-un saying that he wanted this nuclear weapons at the ready to be used to the moments noticed.

And then on Monday, when these joint military drills between the U.S. and South Korea started, the largest ever to be held, we're being told, then he said that he threatened nuclear war against Washington and Seoul.

And then today, you see the tensions ratcheting up just a little bit more by publishing these photos, which they say actually shows that they have this capability and they have managed to miniaturize that nuclear warhead.

[03:19:57] So, we're just seeing an uptick of the rhetoric. We are seeing an increase in an already tense situation here on the Korean Peninsula and it's really been like this way since the beginning of the year, since that January 6th, the nuclear test which North Korea claims was a hydrogen bomb but much of the rest of the world do not believe was.

It really has just been steadily increasing in tensions and tensions are always high at this time of this year with these military drills but certainly higher this year than they have been in previous years. Errol.

BARNETT: All right. Paula Hancocks, live for us in Seoul, 5.20 in the afternoon there. I know you continue to watch this story closely. Paula, thank you.

We return now to our top story. The death of Beatles' producer, Sir George Martin, a man nicknamed the Fifth Beatle. Joining us now from Los Angeles is Shirley Halperin, she is the news director of Billboard and the music editor of The Hollywood Reporter.

Shirley, I'm glad we were finally able to connect with you. First, what's your reaction to Sir George Martin's death?

SHIRLEY HALPERIN, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER MUSIC EDITOR: Well, it's a sad day for music, for sure. You know, he was one of the greats, producers, engineer, arranger, conductor. I mean, he kind of did it all. He was instrumental in the group that we now know as The Beatles.

As you said, he was sort of affectionately called the Fifth Beatle. And it's another just giant loss for music. You know, on the heels of several other, you know, greats that have passed in recent weeks.

BARNETT: And tell us just how he discovered The Beatles and why that was so significant. You know, we all wonder, what would The Beatles have sounded like without him. I mean, how did he really mold them into what we've all known to love and appreciate?

HALPERIN: Well, he was involved in every sort of phase of their career, so we really got to see the band evolved because of his direction. I mean, that's the first thing. How he got involved with them initially was he was working for Parlophone Records in London and sort of working on comedy records and things that were popular at the time.

And this rock group came into his orbit. One of the first things he did was ask them to replace their drummer with, Ringo Starr. And then you had "Love me do" and, you know, "I saw her standing there" and " Please, believe me," and all those early '60s hits which eventually, you know, morphed into the sergeant pepper era, "Abby Road" and beyond. You know, he was really instrumental in every turn of The Beatles.

BARNETT: Ringo Starr was the first to publicly confirm George Martin's death. We know that The Beatles themselves had a bit of internal turmoil toward the band's kind of existence and presence. Did he always get along with everyone? HALPERIN: I think he did. I think he was the glue that sort of kept

the legacy going, as it were. And you know, he was involved in many projects with The Beatles even, you know, beyond their time as a band including the anthology series and the love show in Las Vegas, the circumstance Soleil show.

So, you know, he always have a hand in The Beatles music and I think they always welcomed that hand.

BARNETT: And what do you think his legacy will be. I mean, if you look at just music in general these days, it's moved away from percussion. It's moved away from people sitting around, writing songs. It seems to be a bit more formulaic and poppy. What do you think his lasting impact will be?

HALPERIN: I mean, it's a valid point but I always think of him more for the innovation in sound that he made, you know, recording and having lush orchestras accompany sort of accompany pop songs. Really changing the conversation and changing what defined a popular song.

I mean, this was somebody who billboard.com just published an article how as he stands as the record holder for the most hot 100 number ones.

BARNETT: Wow.

HALPERIN: So, you know, this is beyond Britney Spears or Michael Jackson or anybody else you could put in that. This guy has sort of outdone them all.

BARNETT: Well, as you say, certainly a sad day for music. I can say that I had the privilege of going to Abbey Road there in London, the record producing studio where so much of The Beatles' hits were created. Outside there were so many messages for The Beatles.

This is an iconic landmark there in London. And certainly, it's just one example of the lasting legacy of George Martin and The Beatles themselves.

[03:24:59] Shirley Halperin, the music editor there of The Hollywood Reporter. Thanks so much for your time.

And we appreciate viewers joining us here on CNN Newsroom. I'm Errol Barnett at the CNN center. We will continue to follow the top international stories and bring you updates.

For the moment though, we return you to CNN special coverage of the U.S. presidential election primaries.

[03:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)