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Gerry And The Pacemakers singer Gerry Marsden, whose hits include I’ll Never Walk Alone, has died at the age of 78.
His friend, announcer Pete Price, announced the news, saying, “It is with great regret after speaking with the family that I have to tell you that the legendary Gerry Marsden MBE after a brief illness that was an infection in his heart, sadly passed away .
“Sending all the love in the world to Pauline and her family. You will never walk alone.”
Gerry Marsden with Gerry and pacemakers in the 1960s. Image: Denis Cameron / Shutterstock
Marsden, who was born in the Toxteth area of Liverpool in 1942, is perhaps best known for covering I’ll Never Walk Alone with his band, prompting Liverpool FC to adopt it as their official motto.
He also wrote 1960s hits like Ferry Cross the Mersey and Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying.
Gerry and the Pacemakers followed The Beatles to chart success, starting a local Merseybeat music scene in Liverpool, but the original group later broke up in 1967, after seeing a decline in popularity.
He reformed the group with a new line-up a decade later and, until 2018, continued touring places.
Tributes for the singer were led by Liverpool FC, who tweeted to say: “It is with such sadness that we learn of the passing of Gerry Marsden. Gerry’s words will live forever with us. You will never walk alone.”
Peter Moore, former CEO of Liverpool FC, shared an online video of Marsden in the stands at Anfield singing You will never walk alone in 2018, calling the news of his death “tragic”.
Gerry Marsden’s version of I’ll Never Walk Alone led to it being a Liverpool anthem
Frankie Goes to Hollywood frontman Holly Johnson added her tributes, saying, “I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of Gerry Marsden, what a Liverpool legend. I’m glad I met him.”
Liverpool’s legendary venue The Cavern Club, which Marsden performed more than 200 times, called Liverpool a “legend” and a “very good friend.”
The club tweeted that it was “devastated” to learn of his death.
Announcer Piers Morgan called Marsden “a great singer, a great character”, while former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson said “he and his anthem will be forever in our hearts.”
Radio host Tony Blackburn tweeted to say: “Very sad to hear that Gerry Marsden has passed away. I did a couple of shows with him and he was great.
“RIP Gerry”.
Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotherham also paid tribute, saying: “I lost too many good friends in 2020 so I was glad to see the back. I was notified of the death of another of my great friends this morning. Devastated.”
Marsden is survived by his wife, Pauline, to whom he was married for 55 years, and his two daughters Yvette and Victoria.
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