Gerry Marsden

Gerard Marsden MBE (24 September 1942 – 3 January 2021) was an English singer-songwriter, musician and television personality, best known for being leader of the Merseybeat band Gerry and the Pacemakers. He was the younger brother of fellow band member Freddie Marsden.

Gerry and the Pacemakers had the distinction of being the first act to have their first three recordings go to number 1 in the UK singles chart. Although they never had a number 1 in the US, they were the second-most successful group from Liverpool, after the Beatles, to have hits on the Billboard pop charts. Their 1963 UK chart-topper "You'll Never Walk Alone" became the anthem of Liverpool F.C., Marsden's lifelong club, and in 1964 his group along with the team performed it on The Ed Sullivan Show. The group's 1965 musical film Ferry Cross the Mersey was co-written by Tony Warren.

Early life Marsden was born at 8 Menzies Street, Toxteth, Liverpool, to Frederick Marsden and Mary McAlindin. His interest in music began at an early age. He remembered standing on top of an air-raid shelter singing "Ragtime Cowboy Joe", and getting a great reception from onlookers.

Career Gerry and the Pacemakers formed in 1959. They were the second group signed by Brian Epstein, the first being the Beatles, and remained among his favourite artists. A musical film Ferry Cross the Mersey, considered to be their version of the Beatles' A Hard Day's Night, was co-written by Coronation Street creator and writer Tony Warren, and was released in 1965. He also starred in the West End musical Charlie Girl alongside Derek Nimmo and Anna Neagle, replacing another pop singer, Joe Brown. A new song, "Liverpool", was added to the score to tie in with Marsden's Liverpool accent.

In 1983, Marsden and the Pacemakers' "Ferry Cross the Mersey" was covered by another band from Liverpool, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, in a new arrangement as the B-side of their song "Relax"; at least partly due to this, Marsden began receiving significant royalties (with his total yearly publishing royalties at the time being equivalent to $250,000 USD). By that time, Marsden also owned a radio station in Liverpool and owned real estate in England and Spain. he formed a group called the Crowd, which included other musicians, singers, and radio disc jockeys, to produce a new version of "You'll Never Walk Alone".

In 1993 Marsden published his autobiography, I'll Never Walk Alone, co-written with former Melody Maker editor Ray Coleman. In 1990, he recorded the song "Red White and Blue", with The England Supporters Club, that also appears on the Euro 96 album England's Glory.

In 2012, Marsden and Paul McCartney were among another group of musicians that recorded a cover of "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" for charity; the single was credited to the Justice Collective. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he released a version of "You'll Never Walk Alone" in tribute to the National Health Service.

Personal life and death In 1965, Marsden married Pauline Behan, and they had two daughters, Yvette and Victoria.

A lifelong Liverpool F.C. supporter, Marsden's rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone" was adopted by the Kop upon its release in October 1963 and became the club's anthem. In 1964, Marsden and his group along with the Liverpool squad performed the track on The Ed Sullivan Show, with Marsden stating, "Bill came up to me. He said, 'Gerry my son, I have given you a football team and you have given us a song'."

In September 2003, Marsden had triple bypass heart surgery at Broad Green Hospital in Liverpool. He had a second heart operation in 2016, and announced his retirement in November 2018, although he appeared with Take That at their concert at Anfield in June 2019. Sir Paul McCartney led the tributes to his old friend, ending his message with "See ya, Gerry. I'll always remember you with a smile", while Liverpool F.C. released a statement saying the club was "deeply saddened" by his passing. In 2009, he was awarded the Freedom of the City by Liverpool. In 2010, Marsden was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University.

Solo discography

Albums A Tribute to Lennon & McCartney (Dominion, 1995) One 2 One (Pulse Records, 1999) Much Missed Man: Tribute to John Lennon (Ozit, 2001) Gilbert Green / What Makes Me Love You (CBS, August 1967) Red, White and Blue / Red, White and Blue (Backing Track) (Gerry Marsden and the England Supporters Club, Westmoor Music, 1990)