Posted on 01/04/2021 10:39:42 AM PST by Red Badger
Abbey Road Studios @AbbeyRoad
Gerry Marsden, frontman of the Merseybeat band Gerry and the Pacemakers has sadly passed away at the age of 78.
We're honoured that Gerry and the band are part of the Abbey Road story, having recorded much of their material at the studios, including their first session in 1963. Image 7:00 AM · Jan 4, 2021
===================================================================
Liverpool legend Gerry Marsden, lead singer of Gerry and the Pacemakers has died.
He was 78.
His family confirmed his death was unrelated to Covid, and his friend Pete Price said the rocker died after a short illness related to a heart infection. Paul McCartney and others have honored the musician’s legacy.
“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…”
VIDEOS AT LINK...................
RIP. I loved Ferry Cross the Mersey after it was released, even though I knew nothing of what the song meant.
Gerry & The Pacemakers were never favored by hipsters, but their catchy tunes kind of represented the essence of the British Invasion. They had a good run for a year or so, but then along came Acid Rock, the hippies, and the anti-war movement. They became dinosaurs in a period of about three years.

Gerry And The Pacemakers
“Ferry Cross The Mersey”
Life goes on day after day
Hearts torn in every way
So ferry, cross the Mersey
‘Cause this land’s the place I love
And here I’ll stay
People they rush everywhere
Each with their own secret care
So ferry, cross the Mersey
And always take me there
The place I love
People around every corner
They seem to smile and say
We don’t care what your name is boy
We’ll never turn you away
So I’ll continue to say
Here I always will stay
So ferry, cross the Mersey
‘Cause this land’s the place I love
And here I’ll stay
And here I’ll stay
Here I’ll stay
His rendition of You’ll never walk alone is the theme song of the Liverpool football club.
What was the earliest acid rock song? Tomorrow Never Knows, on the Beatles revolver album maybe?
Used to think he was saying “Mary, Cross of Mercy”.
LOL!!! Not that that makes any sense, but just assumed they must be a Catholic band.
It looks like Gerry and his Pacemaker couldn’t keep up the beat.
Gerry & The Pacemakers “Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying” on The Ed Sullivan Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy7BZ0v4lPo
Gerry & The Pacemakers - Ferry Cross The Mersey (1965)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08083BNaYcA
Gerry & The Pacemakers - You’ll Never Walk Alone [Official Video]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV5_LQArLa0
The very best of Gerry & The Pacemakers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQPCvYOILg4
LOL! Not really a big fan of gallows humor but that’s a good one. Keith “Methuselah” Richards.
“You’re Gonna Miss Me” by the 13th Floor Elevators and “Psychotic Reaction” by the Count Five were before that.
Peter Noon of Herman's Hermits is still alive.
Just listened to “You’re Gonna Miss Me”, I don’t remember that song at all (age 12 in 66). Do remember Psychotic Reaction though and still love the song! Every time I hear it I think of my fifth grade teacher who used to throw things at us, one time she threw a pair of scissors across the room. She also put something like a choke hold on one poor kid. She was definitely psychotic...LOL!
Before joining The Beatles, Ringo Starr considered an offer to join the Pacemakers. Paul McCartney called Gerry and the Pacemakers The Beatles’ first big rival.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.