Wikipedia

Gerry Marsden

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

Gerry Marsden
MBE
Marsden in 1964
Marsden in 1964
Background information
Birth nameGerard Marsden
Born(1942-09-24)24 September 1942
Toxteth,Liverpool, England
Died3 January 2021(2021-01-03)(aged 78)
Arrowe Park,Merseyside, England
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician, television personality
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active1959–2021
Labels
Websitewww.gerryandthepacemakers.co.uk

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 charts.[1]Although they never had a number 1 in the United States, they were the second-most successful group from Liverpool, afterthe Beatles,to have hits on theUnited States Billboard pop charts.Their 1965 musical filmFerry Cross the Merseywas co-written byTony Warren.

Early life

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Marsden was born at 8 Menzies Street,Toxteth,Liverpool,[2]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.[3]

Career

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Gerry and the Pacemakers formed in 1959.[4]They were the second group signed byBrian Epstein,the first being theBeatles,and remained among his favourite artists.[3]Their first single was 1963's "How Do You Do It?",recommended byGeorge Martinafter it was initially given to the Beatles. This was the first number one hit for the Pacemakers. It was recorded atAbbey Road Studiosand was released on EMI's Columbia label.[5]

The group's second number one was "I Like It",followed by"You'll Never Walk Alone",both released later in 1963. The group's other singles included" It's Gonna Be Alright ","I'm the One","Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying",and"Ferry Cross the Mersey",all released in 1964.[5]A musical filmFerry Cross the Mersey,considered to be their version of the Beatles'A Hard Day's Night,was co-written byCoronation Streetcreator and writerTony Warren,and was released in 1965.[6]

The Pacemakers disbanded in October 1966.[4]After leaving the group, Marsden maintained a low-key career on television,[5]including a regular slot on children's television inThe Sooty Show.[7]He also starred in theWest EndmusicalCharlie GirlalongsideDerek NimmoandAnna Neagle,replacing another pop singer,Joe Brown.A new song, "Liverpool", was added to the score to tie in with Marsden's Liverpool accent.[8][9]

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).[10]By that time, Marsden also owned a radio station in Liverpool and owned real estate in England and Spain.[10]

Marsden returned to #1 in the charts twice during the 1980s with re-recordings of two of his old hits, with all profits going to charity. In 1985 after theBradford Football Club stadium tragedyin which 56 were killed,[11]he formed a group calledthe Crowd,which included other musicians, singers, and radio disc jockeys, to produce a new version of "You'll Never Walk Alone".[6]On 18 April 1989, three days after theHillsborough disasterin which 97 Liverpool F.C. fans died, he joined forces withPaul McCartney,theChristians,Holly Johnson,and his production trioStock, Aitken & Watermanon a new version of "Ferry Cross the Mersey".[6]

In 1993 Marsden published hisautobiography,I'll Never Walk Alone,co-written with formerMelody MakereditorRay Coleman.[12][13]In 1990, he recorded the song "Red White and Blue", withThe England Supporters Club,[14][15]that also appears on theEuro 96albumEngland's Glory.[16][17]

Marsden performing in 2011

In 2012, Marsden and Paul McCartney were among another of musicians that recorded a cover of "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"for charity; the single was credited tothe Justice Collective.[18]

In 2020, during theCOVID-19 pandemic,he released a version of "You'll Never Walk Alone" in tribute to theNational Health Service.[19]

Personal life and death

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Marsden had an older brother, Freddie, who co-founded and played drums in Gerry and the Pacemakers and who died in 2006.[20]

In 1965, Marsden married Pauline Behan, and they had two daughters, Yvette and Victoria.[6]Yvette introduced her father to Frankie Goes To Hollywood's cover of "Ferry Cross the Mersey" after hearing it being played in adiscotheque.[10]

In September 2003, Marsden hadtriple bypass heart surgeryat Broad Green Hospital in Liverpool.[21]He had a second heart operation in 2016, and announced his retirement in November 2018, although he appeared withTake Thatat their concert at Anfield in June 2019.[6]

Marsden died on 3 January 2021 atArrowe Park HospitalinMerseyside,after being diagnosed with ablood infectionin his heart. He was 78 years old.[22][23]

Awards and honours

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In 2003, for his services supporting the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, Marsden was madeMember of the Order of the British Empire(MBE).[6][24]

In 2009, he was awarded theFreedom of the CitybyLiverpool.[6][25][26]

In 2010, Marsden was awarded an Honorary Fellowship fromLiverpool John Moores University.[27]

Solo discography

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For releases with the Pacemakers, seeGerry and the Pacemakers.

Albums

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  • A Tribute to Lennon & McCartney(Dominion, 1995)[28]
  • One 2 One(Pulse Records, 1999)[29]
  • Much Missed Man: Tribute to John Lennon(Ozit, 2001)[28]
  • My Home Town(Angel Air, 2021)

Singles

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References

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  1. ^Paul Gambaccini; Jo Rice (July 1991).British Hit Singles: Every Single Hit Since 1952.Random House Incorporated.ISBN978-0-8230-7572-0.
  2. ^"Gerry Marsden – The Florrie Archive".Retrieved3 January2021.
  3. ^ab"Gerry Marsden MBE".Liverpool John Moores University.Retrieved3 January2021.
  4. ^ab"Biography by Richie Unterberger".Allmusic.com.Retrieved4 March2009.
  5. ^abc"Gerry & the Pacemakers".AllMusic.Retrieved3 January2021.
  6. ^abcdefghSweeting, Adam (3 January 2021)."Gerry Marsden obituary".The Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.Retrieved3 January2021.
  7. ^Dafydd Rees; Luke Crampton (1999).Rock Stars Encyclopedia.DK Pub. p. 409.ISBN978-0-7894-4613-8.
  8. ^Kurt Gänzl; Andrew Lamb (1989).Gänzl's Book of the Musical Theatre.Schirmer Books. p. 207.ISBN978-0-02-871941-2.
  9. ^"Charlie Girl".East Surrey Operatic Society.Archived fromthe originalon 7 November 2007.Retrieved3 January2021.
  10. ^abcFricke, David (11 September 1986)."Gerry and the Pacemakers: Where Are They Now?".RollingStone.com.Rolling Stone.Retrieved14 January2024.
  11. ^Scrivener, Peter (11 May 2005)."Bradford remembers fire disaster".BBC.Retrieved3 January2021.
  12. ^Leigh, Spencer (3 January 2021)."Remembering Gerry Marsden, the musician who sung Liverpool FC's 'You'll Never Walk Alone'".The Independent.Retrieved3 January2021.
  13. ^"I'll never walk alone. Review".Kirkus.20 May 2010.
  14. ^"Gerry Marsden & The England Supporters Club - Red, White & Blue - 7" Record ".Atlas Records.Archived fromthe originalon 8 January 2021.Retrieved4 January2021.
  15. ^"Gerry Marsden And The England Supporters Club Discography - UK".45cat.Retrieved4 January2021.
  16. ^"England's Glory - England Squad and Supporters 1966-1996".England Football Online.Retrieved4 January2021.
  17. ^England's Glory: England's Squads & Supporters 1966-Euro '96 - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic,retrieved4 January2021
  18. ^"Paul McCartney guests on Hillsborough charity single with Robbie Williams".The Guardian.23 November 2012.
  19. ^"Football: Liverpool salute Marsden after You'll Never Walk Alone singer dies aged 78".The Straits Times.4 January 2021.Retrieved4 January2021.
  20. ^"Freddie Marsden".AllMusic.Retrieved4 January2021.
  21. ^"Gerry Marsden Has Triple Heart Bypass Op".NME.15 September 2003.Retrieved3 January2021.
  22. ^"Musician Gerry Marsden dies aged 78".The Independent.3 January 2021.
  23. ^Robertson, Chris (3 January 2021)."Gerry And The Pacemakers star Gerry Marsden who sang You'll Never Walk Alone dies aged 78".Sky News.Retrieved3 January2021.
  24. ^"Liverpool FC anthem singer Gerry Marsden dies aged 78".BBC News.3 January 2021.Retrieved3 January2021.
  25. ^"Gerry Marsden to receive Freedom of Liverpool".The Telegraph.20 January 2009.Retrieved4 January2021.
  26. ^Mitchell McCluskey (3 January 2021)."Gerry Marsden, lead singer of Gerry and the Pacemakers, dies at 78".CNN.Retrieved4 January2021.
  27. ^"Honorary Fellows Index".Liverpool John Moores University.Retrieved4 January2021.
  28. ^ab"Gerry Marsden".AllMusic.Retrieved3 January2021.
  29. ^"Gerry Marsden - One 2 One".Discogs.January 1999.Retrieved5 January2021.
  30. ^abcdefghijkl"Gerry Marsden Discography - UK - 45cat".www.45cat.com.Retrieved4 January2021.
  31. ^"ferry cross the mersey | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company".www.officialcharts.com.
  32. ^"Paul McCartney guests on Hillsborough charity single with Robbie Williams".The Guardian.23 November 2012.
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