The Almanac Singers music.group_membership which Seeger co-founded in 1941 with Millard Lampell and Arkansas singer and activist Lee Hays , was a topical group , designed to function as a singing newspaper promoting the industrial unionization movement , racial and religious inclusion , and other progressive causes .

Martin has produced recordings for many other artists , including contemporaries of the Beatles , such as Matt Monro , Cilla Black , Gerry & The Pacemakers , Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas , The Fourmost , David and Jonathan , and The Action , as well as The King 's Singers music.group_membership the band America , guitarists Jeff Beck and John Williams , sixties duo Edwards Hand , Gary Brooker , Neil Sedaka , Ultravox , country singer Kenny Rogers , Cheap Trick , Elton John , Celine Dion and Yoshiki Hayashi of X Japan .

Other artists who have used the studio include Ani DiFranco , Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros , Greg Dulli , The Twilight Singers music.group_membership Mandrill , Tony Joe White , Zachary Richard , Wayne Newton , Dash Rip Rock , Melanie , The Scoundrels ( UK ) , C.C . Adcock and Revolution Mother , whose lead singer is professional skateboarder Mike Vallely .