Gerry Marsden
Gerry Marsden MBE | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Gerard Marsden |
Born | Toxteth, Liverpool, England | 24 September 1942
Died | 3 January 2021 Arrowe Park, Merseyside, England | (aged 78)
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician, television personality |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
Years active | 1959–2021 |
Labels | |
Website | www |
Gerard Marsden
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, after the Beatles, to have hits on the United States Billboard pop charts. Their 1965 musical film Ferry Cross the Mersey was co-written by Tony Warren.
Early life
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
Gerry and the Pacemakers formed in 1959.[4] They were the second group signed by Brian Epstein, the first being the Beatles, and remained among his favourite artists.[3] Their first single was 1963's "How Do You Do It?", recommended by George Martin after it was initially given to the Beatles. This was the first number one hit for the Pacemakers. It was recorded at Abbey Road Studios and was released on EMI's Columbia label.[5]
The group's second number one was "
The Pacemakers disbanded in October 1966.
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 the
In 1993 Marsden published his autobiography, I'll Never Walk Alone, co-written with former Melody Maker editor Ray Coleman.[12][13] In 1990, he recorded the song "Red White and Blue", with The England Supporters Club,[14][15] that also appears on the Euro 96 album England's Glory.[16][17]
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 to the Justice Collective.[18]
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he released a version of "You'll Never Walk Alone" in tribute to the National Health Service.[19]
Personal life and death
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.
In September 2003, Marsden had
Marsden died on 3 January 2021 at
Awards and honours
In 2003, for his services supporting the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, Marsden was made
In 2009, he was awarded the Freedom of the City by Liverpool.[6][25][26]
In 2010, Marsden was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University.[27]
Solo discography
Albums
- 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
- Please Let Them Be / I'm Not Blue (CBS, March 1967)[30]
- Gilbert Green / What Makes Me Love You (CBS, August 1967)[30]
- Liverpool / Charlie Girl (released as Gerry Marsden & Derek Nimmo, CBS, April 1968)[30]
- In the Year of April / Every Day (NEMS, November 1968)[30]
- Every Little Minute / In Days of Old (NEMS, May 1969)[30]
- I've Got My Ukulele / What a Day (Decca, May 1971)[30]
- Amo Credo / Come Break Bread (Phoenix UK, April 1972)[30]
- They Don't Make Days Like That Any More / Can't You Hear the Song? (DJM, August 1974)[30]
- Your Song / Days I Spent with You (DJM, April 1975)[30]
- My Home Town / Lovely Lady (DJM, September 1976)[30]
- You'll Never Walk Alone / Messages (with the Crowd, (Spartan Records, 1985)[6]
- Ferry Cross the Mersey / Abide with Me (with Paul McCartney, the Christians, Holly Johnson and Stock Aitken Waterman, PWE, 1989)[31]
- Red, White and Blue / Red, White and Blue (Backing Track) (Gerry Marsden and the England Supporters Club, Westmoor Music, 1990)[30]
- As Time Stood Still (The Sun: Gulf Aid, GULF, 1991)[30]
- He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother (as part of the Justice Collective, Metropolis, 2012)[32]
References
- ISBN 978-0-8230-7572-0.
- ^ "Gerry Marsden – The Florrie Archive". Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Gerry Marsden MBE". Liverpool John Moores University. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Biography by Richie Unterberger". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 4 March 2009.
- ^ a b c "Gerry & the Pacemakers". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ISBN 978-0-7894-4613-8.
- ISBN 978-0-02-871941-2.
- ^ "Charlie Girl". East Surrey Operatic Society. Archived from the original on 7 November 2007. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ a b c Fricke, David (11 September 1986). "Gerry and the Pacemakers: Where Are They Now?". RollingStone.com. Rolling Stone. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ Scrivener, Peter (11 May 2005). "Bradford remembers fire disaster". BBC. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ Leigh, Spencer (3 January 2021). "Remembering Gerry Marsden, the musician who sung Liverpool FC's 'You'll Never Walk Alone'". The Independent. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ "I'll never walk alone. Review". Kirkus. 20 May 2010.
- ^ "Gerry Marsden & The England Supporters Club - Red, White & Blue - 7" Record". Atlas Records. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ "Gerry Marsden And The England Supporters Club Discography - UK". 45cat. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ "England's Glory - England Squad and Supporters 1966-1996". England Football Online. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ England's Glory: England's Squads & Supporters 1966-Euro '96 - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 4 January 2021
- ^ "Paul McCartney guests on Hillsborough charity single with Robbie Williams". The Guardian. 23 November 2012.
- ^ "Football: Liverpool salute Marsden after You'll Never Walk Alone singer dies aged 78". The Straits Times. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ "Freddie Marsden". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ "Gerry Marsden Has Triple Heart Bypass Op". NME. 15 September 2003. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ "Musician Gerry Marsden dies aged 78". The Independent. 3 January 2021.
- ^ Robertson, Chris (3 January 2021). "Gerry And The Pacemakers star Gerry Marsden who sang You'll Never Walk Alone dies aged 78". Sky News. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ "Liverpool FC anthem singer Gerry Marsden dies aged 78". BBC News. 3 January 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ "Gerry Marsden to receive Freedom of Liverpool". The Telegraph. 20 January 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ Mitchell McCluskey (3 January 2021). "Gerry Marsden, lead singer of Gerry and the Pacemakers, dies at 78". CNN. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ "Honorary Fellows Index". Liverpool John Moores University. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Gerry Marsden". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ "Gerry Marsden - One 2 One". Discogs. January 1999. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Gerry Marsden Discography - UK - 45cat". www.45cat.com. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ "ferry cross the mersey | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com.
- ^ "Paul McCartney guests on Hillsborough charity single with Robbie Williams". The Guardian. 23 November 2012.
External links
- Official website
- Gerry Marsden discography at Discogs
- Gerry Marsden at IMDb
- Portraits of Gerry Marsden at the National Portrait Gallery, London