Gerry Marsden
Gerard Marsden MBE (24 September 1942 – 3 January 2021) was an English singer-songwriter, musician and television personality, best known for being leader of the Merseybeat band Gerry and the Pacemakers. He was the younger brother of fellow band member Freddie Marsden.
Gerry Marsden
Gerard Marsden
3 January 2021 (aged 78)
Arrowe Park, Merseyside, England
Singer-songwriter, musician, television personality
Vocals, guitar
1959–2021
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.
Personal life and death[edit]
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.[6] Yvette introduced her father to Frankie Goes To Hollywood's cover of "Ferry Cross the Mersey" after hearing it being played in a discotheque.[10]
In September 2003, Marsden had triple bypass heart surgery at Broad Green Hospital in Liverpool.[21] He had a second heart operation in 2016, and announced his retirement in November 2018, although he appeared with Take That at their concert at Anfield in June 2019.[6]
Marsden died on 3 January 2021 at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside, after being diagnosed with a blood infection in his heart. He was 78 years old.[22][23]
Awards and honours[edit]
In 2003, for his services supporting the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, Marsden was made Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).[6][24]
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]