L
egendary Merseybeat
figure and ex-Pacemaker
Gerry Marsden has died
following a short illness. As well as
penning the iconic hit Ferry Cross
The Mersey, Marsden’s version of
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s You’ll
Never Walk Alone went on to become
a terrace anthem for Liverpool
Football Club, as well as other
sporting giants including Celtic and
Borussia Dortmund. In April 2020,
Marsden recorded a new version
of the band’s hit alongside a music
video, which featured the singer and
a number of positive messages about
the NHS. Marsden was made an MBE
in 2003 for his services to supporting
the victims of the Hillsborough
disaster (shown below) and awarded
the Freedom of Liverpool in 2009.
With the Pacemakers, Marsden was
a key component of the Merseybeat
scene – the band’s first three UK
singles, How Do You Do It?, I Like It
and You’ll Never Walk Alone, all made
it to No.1 in the UK charts, a feat that
remained unequalled until the arrival
of fellow Liverpool band Frankie Goes
To Hollywood 20 years later. The
Pacemakers split in 1967 and Marsdenpursued a solo career before the band
reformed in 1974 for a world tour.
Marsden’s family said in a statement:
“Gerry died after a short illness in
no way connected with Covid-19.
His wife, daughters and grandchildren
are devastated.”
The singer was admitted to hospital
on Boxing Day after tests showed he
had a serious blood infection that had
travelled to his heart. His daughter
Yvette Marbeck explained: “It was
a very short illness and too quick to
comprehend really. His heart had
taken some battering over the years.
He had a triple bypass, an aortic valve
replacement and ironically he also
had a pacemaker. I’m heartbroken.
Unfortunately, he died in hospital,
which was devastating for us because
we were not allowed in due to the
current regulations.”
Paul McCartney paid tribute
to Marsden on Twitter: “Gerry
was a mate from our early days in
Liverpool. He and his group were our
biggest rivals on the local scene. His
unforgettable performances of You’ll
Never Walk Alone and Ferry Cross
The Mersey remain in many people’s
hearts as reminders of a joyful time
in British music. My sympathies go
to his wife Pauline and family. See ya,
Gerry. I’ll always remember you with
a smile.”
The Cavern Club’s official account
tweeted: “Devastated to hear of the
passing of Gerry Marsden. The word
‘legend’ is often overused, but Gerry
was not only a legend, he was also
a very good friend of The Cavern.
Gerry And The Pacemakers played
the Cavern Club nearly 200 times and
Gerry returned to perform numerous
times over the years. Always a great
show, always good fun and a fantastic
storyteller. Our sincere condolences to
his wife Pauline and the family at this
incredibly sad time.”Gerry Marsden
1942-
Paul McCartney leads those paying tribute
to the former Pacemakers frontmanOBITUARY
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