Gerry and the Pacemakers

Gerry Marsden went back to the world famous Cavern Club in Mathew street, Liverpool to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the inauguration of the club. Formerly an inner city Jazz club, The Cavern Club converted to beat music and along with dozens of other clubs in Liverpool, Mearsybeat was born.

One of the finest exponents of this music was Gerry and The Pacemakers. Many of the Liverpool club owners had connections with the German club scene and so many of the bands would perform gruelling six hour sessions at these clubs. Gerry and The Pacemakers were no exception and it could be said that this is where they served their apprenticeship.

Gerry Marsden was born in Dingle, Liverpool, on September 24th 1942 just a few miles from The Cavern.

After several jobs including tea chest maker, fish packer, and railway parcels deliverer he was approached in early 1962 by Brain Epstein (who at the time owned and managed a record shop in Liverpool) with a view to a management deal. Gerry accepted this and following in the footsteps of The Beatles a record deal was confirmed with Columbia’s record producer George Martin.

For Gerry’s first visit to the recording studio he was offered a Mitch Murray composition How Do You Do It?. This had previously been turned down by both Adam Faith and The Beatles. However, Gerry, keen to cut his first disc, was very enthusiastic and on April 11th 1963 went to the top of the charts. Gerry’s next two releases I Like It and You’ll Never Walk Alone both went to the top on May 30th and October 10th 1963 respectively. Gerry was the first recording artist in history to have his first three releases all hit number one.

Success continued for Gerry and The Pacemakers during 1964 when they scored hits with I’m The One, Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying, It’s Gonna Be Alright and Ferry Across The Mersey. All these songs being written by Gerry and the last one in1964 “Ferry” being the title track from the film of the same name starring Gerry and The Pacemakers.

More hits followed in 1965 with amongst others I’ll Be There and Walk Hand In Hand.

In 1967 Gerry Marsden went solo starring in the West End “CHARLIE GIRL” along with Dame Anna Neagle and Derek Nimo. This experience proved invaluable as it enabled him to develop his talents as an all round entertainer. In the early seventies he worked in television appearing regularly on “THE SOOTY SHOW” and “HOLD THE FRONT PAGE”. He also appeared in another musical “PULL AT BOTH ENDS” about life in a Christmas cracker factory.

In June 1985 the Bradford fire disaster prompted Gerry to bring together dozens of celebrities under the name of The Crowd to re-record his football anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone. The song went to number one and raised tens of thousands of pounds for the appeal. Another record was on the books as Gerry was the first UK artist in history to top the charts with different recordings of the same song 1963-1985.

In December 1985 Gerry was handed the big red book on Television’s THIS IS YOUR LIFE by the late Eamon Andrews. It topped the TV ratings when transmitted during Christmas week.