R.I.P Gerry Marsden

[Boatbuilder]

It has just been announced that Gerry Marsden (of the Pacemakers) has sadly died, aged 78.

So sad, - 'You'll Never Walk Alone", Gerry. RIP.

[Barnard]

As well as ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, Gerry and the Pacemakers recorded another wonderful song called ‘Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying’. RIP Gerry.

[Eddie Muir]

What sad news.

I was fortunate enough to have met Gerry backstage at Jenkinson's in Brighton on 29th September 1976. He was a very friendly person without any airs and graces. We spent a little time talking about our love of rock 'n' roll music, but most of our time together was spent discussing our football teams. Gerry was an avid Liverpool fan and he called me a "raving loony" for supporting West Bromwich Albion.

Gerry and the Pacemakers were the first act to reach number one in the UK singles charts with their first three releases: How Do You Do It?, I like It and You'll Never Walk Alone - all in 1963. The group's fourth single, I'm The One reached number two at the beginning of 1964.

RIP Gerry Marsden. It was a pleasure meeting you and it continues to be a pleasure listening to the recordings of Gerry and the Pacemakers.

[Jack400]

RIP Gerry, such lovely songs.

[Boatbuilder]

Eddie, the BBC website has, so far, got the facts wrong on his number 1's. They are currently saying the second one was 'Ferry Cross the Mersey', which never made it to number 1 at the end of 1964. It also seems to imply that 'You'll Never Walk Alone' may have been his first, going by the wording. No doubt they will change it from this:


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55524795" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Eddie Muir]

It’s a great pity that those responsible at the BBC don’t do some research before posting incorrect information, John! It can’t be that difficult to get the facts right.

[Lucky Star]

RIP Gerry Marsden. What a great story Eddie. As you say it continues to be a great pleasure to listen to his recordings.

[Anita Bensoussane]

RIP Gerry Marsden. My sister, two of our friends and I often crossed the Mersey by ferry as teenagers and we would always sing Ferry Cross the Mersey. It's interesting to hear about your conversation with Gerry, Eddie.

[Eddie Muir]

Thank you for your comments, John (LS) and Anita.

[number 6]

Fabulous story, Eddie! Very saddened to hear of Gerry Mardens passing.

[Boatbuilder]

It’s a great pity that those responsible at the BBC don’t do some research before posting incorrect information, John! It can’t be that difficult to get the facts right.

I emailed the BBC a couple of hours ago about the error and they have now re-worded the page. Whether or not it was a result of my email (or maybe somebody else's), or they had discovered it themselves, I don't know.

[Eddie Muir]

Fabulous story, Eddie! Very saddened to hear of Gerry Mardens passing.

Thank you, Adrian.

It’s a great pity that those responsible at the BBC don’t do some research before posting incorrect information, John! It can’t be that difficult to get the facts right.

I emailed the BBC a couple of hours ago about the error and they have now re-worded the page. Whether or not it was a result of my email (or maybe somebody else's), or they had discovered it themselves, I don't know.

Great news. Well done for emailing the BBC, John!

[Courtenay]

He's not even from "my era" and my first words on seeing this thread were "Oh no!!"... I love his songs. (Yes, my parents' musical tastes have rubbed off on me.) Such sad news.

Gerry and the Pacemakers recorded another wonderful song called ‘Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying’. RIP Gerry.

I was just thinking that — my favourite song by them! Even just the opening instrumental gives me a shiver down the spine. Here it is in tribute... why doesn't anyone write songs like this any more???

RIP Gerry Marsden.

[Boatbuilder]

Great news. Well done for emailing the BBC, John!

I just found a reply at 21:15 from the BBC in my inbox, Eddie. This is it:

Thanks for getting in touch.

My apologies, I’m a big fan of Merseybeat and could rattle off all those songs in order - but that was a miscommunication to the writer. It was meant to say the group’s second best known hit.

That detail was later corrected that as you can see, with the explanation that Ferry Cross The Mersey did eventually get its number one spot in 1989.

John Hand
Duty Editor, BBC News website.

You can now Rest in Peace, Gerry.

[Eddie Muir]

Thank you for posting the reply from the BBC, John.

Here’s a great lively track from Gerry and the Pacemakers from their first album, How Do You Like It?, released in October 1963. It’s called Chills:

https://youtu.be/ctNu0w-T64c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;