Gerry Marsden death: Gerry and the Pacemakers star passes away aged 78

The Merseybeat singer whose band rivalled The Beatles had an infection in his heart, says friend

Marsden with his MBE for services to charity at Buckingham Palace in December 2003. He helped raise more than £35m for good causes (Rex)

Gerry and the Pacemakers star Gerry Marsden, whose Sixties hits include “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, “Ferry Cross The Mersey” and “I Like It”, has died aged 78.

Broadcaster Pete Price announced the news on social media with a loving tribute to his friend, who died after tests showed he had a blood infection in his heart.

A statement issued by Marsden’s family said: “Gerry died earlier today after a short illness in no way connected with Covid-19. His wife, daughters and grandchildren are devastated.”

Marsden’s daughter, Yvette Marback, also spoke to reporters on Sunday to say she was “just devastated and heartbroken”.

“Unfortunately he died in hospital which was devastating for us because we were not allowed in due to the current [Covid] regulations. It is just a dreadful situation for everyone,” she told the PA news agency. 

“He was our dad, our hero, warm, funny and what you see is what you got.”

Minutes after the announcement came, Liverpool Football Club (LFC)’s official Twitter account shared two posts. In the second, the club wrote: “Gerry’s voice accompanied our biggest nights. His anthem bonded players, staff and fans around the world, helping create something truly special.”

“You’ll Never Walk Alone,” the tweet added, followed by a red heart emoji. The club was referring to the song Marsden later become most known for, and which LFC adopted as its official anthem.

Sir Kenny Dalglish, who was Liverpool’s manager at the time of the Hillsborough tragedy in 1989, also took to Twitter to share his grief, writing he was “saddened to hear the news”. 

“You’ll Never Walk Alone is an integral part of Liverpool Football Club, and never more so than now. RIP Gerry, our thoughts are with Pauline and his family,” he said. 

Marsden formed the Packemakers in 1959 with his brother Fred, Les Chadwick, and Arthur McMahon. At a time when Liverpool was emerging as the musical capital of the world, the group were the most serious early rivals to The Beatles. 

The bands first played together in early 1961, during a four-month stint in Hamburg. On their return to Merseyside they became regulars at the city’s Cavern Club and shared the same manager in Brian Epstein. 

Between March and October of 1963 the first three Gerry and the Pacemakers singles – “How Do You Do It?”, “I Like It” and the soon-to-be ubiquitous football anthem taken from the Rogers and Hammerstein musical Carousel – all topped the British charts. 

In keeping with their close-knit relationship, the first of those hits had been recorded by The Beatles in 1962, but rejected by them and given to Marsden’s band by the producer, George Martin.

The Beatles’ Sir Paul McCartney shared a statement about the band’s “mate from our early days in Liverpool”, saying he would always remember Marsden “with a smile”. 

“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,” Sir Paul said, nostalgically, adding: “My sympathies go to his wife Pauline and family. See ya, Gerry.”

“Ferry Cross the Mersey”, released in late 1964, reached No 8 in the UK. However, in 1989, Marsden topped the charts with a new version of the song recorded with fellow Merseyside artists The Christians, Holly Johnson and Paul McCartney in aid of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster.

He re-recorded the track in April last year, in tribute to the NHS during the pandemic.

Mr Johnson, the Frankie Goes To Hollywood singer, tweeted: “So sorry to hear about the passing of Gerry Marsden what a Liverpool Legend. So glad I met him.”

Liverpool mayor Steve Rotherham also paid tribute, saying: “Lost too many good friends in 2020, so was glad to see the back of it. Was notified of the death of another of my great friends this morning. Devastated.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool West Derby’s Labour MP, Ian Byrne, shared a picture of the Anfield gates, upon hearing the news. “RIP Gerry Marsden,” he tweeted. “YNWA.” 

Ms Marbeck, Marsden’s daughter, said the tributes had “been wonderful” though she admitted “it can break your heart in reading them”. 

Over the course of his life, Marsden helped raise more than £35m for charity, including with the recordings he made with other artists after the Bradford City stadium fire in 1985 as well as the Hillsborough tragedy in 1989.

He was awarded the MBE in 2003 and six years later was given the freedom of the city of Liverpool for his charitable works for the city and for his contribution to Liverpudlian culture.

He is survived by his wife Pauline and their two daughters, Yvette and Victoria.