Smiterick

"As the group ran through their first few takes, I remember commenting to Norman on how great the drums sounded. He turned to me with a wink and said, “This old dog still has a few new tricks up his sleeve, mate.” It was the kind of thing one would say to a peer, not a subordinate, and it stayed with me for a long time afterward. For the first time, I began to feel that we were operating as a team."

- Geoff Emerick on Here There and Everywhere

Smiterick is the slash ship between Norman Smith and Geoff Emerick from the The Beatles fandom.

Canon
Around 1962 evening is where Richard Langham former tape OP / Norman Smith's assistant introduced Geoff Emerick who was 15 and Norman Smith 40 for the first time. Geoff first saw Norman as this "dapper and clean man" he also recalls Norman complimenting him for his ruddy complexion. As days go by they have been working with The Beatles, Geoff is the new assistant of Norman in the Please Please me album sessions. This day Geoff and Richard were taking a lunch break as Norman joins them, Geoff starts asking Norman sorts of question about his background, he finds it interesting. He also found the discovery that Norman is friends with Geoff's parents and that Norman also sings for parties, weddings, events and etc.

Years pass the two got into a very close relationship the both like working together, Geoff learned alot of stuff from Norman. Geoff likes being with Norman as one particular day where the two went to their so called "favorite restaurant " called Black Tulip. The two dined in there and ate spaghetti as they talk more about themselves and The Beatles later on. Geoff even says that Norman was the first person to teach him how to eat spaghetti properly and that he sees Norman as his father figure to him. Norman would occasionally offer Geoff a lift to work and to home as EMI closes every 10 pm or if The Beatles end their sessions very late Norman would drive Geoff home since Geoff only uses public transportation.

After Rubber Soul album ended Norman was promoted to become a EMI producer which means he is no longer a sound engineer, Geoff wasn't aware that Norman was promoted neither aware he's leaving soon because probably Norman kept it as a secret to him but he heard rumors around that Norman got his promotion to become a producer which Geoff believe that it was just a rumor, until Geoff got called into the managements office to discuss about it and that Martin offered Geoff to become the new Beatles engineer at 18 years old to replace Norman. This time Norman was willing to stay with The Beatles but George Martin said no he didn't like the idea of having two producers in one control room so it means Norman has to go. Norman's position was given up to his assistant Geoff as the new Beatles sound engineer at the age of 19 years old, Geoff was obviously sad and terrified about being this young as a sound engineer, he never actually knew how old was Norman neither Norman never knew what was Geoff's age too since the two have lied their ages when applying a job in EMI (age limit in EMI was over 25-28 years old). Geoff only knew Norman could possibly be over 40 years old or George Martin's age which he wasn't wrong at all.

As Norman leaves the band to find other artists he tells Geoff that if he needs anything or help please call him he'll be always there for him in any case. Norman recalls that Geoff did called him several times and he too sat with Geoff in his first session which was the Revolver album of The Beatles, Geoff's first album that he engineered on the band. All artists of Norman engineered became Geoff's and that Norman soon finds this band called Pink Floyd as he decided to sign them in EMI to produce them. In 1966 The Sgt pepper's album of the Beatles were held in studio 2 next to studio 3 where I believe Pink Floyd's The Piper at the Gates of Dawn album were also recorded there, now Smith is still their producer. This particular day Norman approaches Martin with along side with his boys asking permission if he could maybe pop right into a Beatles session, George thought of it as he was about to decline but agreed only around evening he said to Norman. As that day arrived the lovely Rita sessions was held, this night Norman with his boys arrived in the recording studio to take a sit and observe with them in session. Geoff haven't seen Norman for a year he recalled seeing Norman, "in a florid purple shirt instead of his usual suit and tie." Later on Geoff and Norman had an awkward conversation which lead Norman leaving Geoff behind after, Geoff says that that's the last time he ever seen Norman pop in a Beatles session.

Geoff finally accepts the concept of Norman leaving and was also happy that years later Norman reach his dreams becoming a jazz musician under the name Hurricane Smith hitting charts in his first hit of 'Oh Babe What Would You Say?' He was grateful that Norman gave up his position on him and is also thankful for after 4 years of working together Norman had gave him alot of information and knowledge he needs.

Quotes
"Richard and I grabbed a quick bite of dinner at the pub down the street and then headed to the control room of Studio Two, where I was introduced to Norman Smith for the first time. He was a slight, dapper handsome man with carefully coiffed hair, and he put me at ease immediately with a lighthearted comment about my ruddy complexion."

- Geoff Emerick on Here There and Everywhere

"I was constantly asking Norman questions about what he was doing and why he was doing it, and he was very good about answering them and being patient with me."

- Geoff Emerick on Here There and Everywhere "So I always remember Norman when I'm starting a session and the melody of the song or the vibe hits me."

- Geoff Emerick on a interview "He called me a few times, yes he did he did call me a few times to seek some advice I went to sort him a bit. I said to him anytime if you get into trouble or you want my advice whatever please call me."

- Norman Smith on a interview

Fanon
Smiterick is not a well known ship that much. Some amount of people love this ship, and some don't due to the big age gap between the two. In Geoff's book Here There and Everywhere, he explains his close relationship with Norman very well and what the two have done not only that but of course his perspective working with The Beatles. There's a in-joke in the books reviews that they have suspected Emerick was gay because being to much of a pro McCartney.

Geoff may had agreed in multiple interviews and this is also a in-joke on Smiterick shippers that there's no one interview that Geoff would never mention Norman's leaving the band and go produce after.

Fandom
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