Listen to this man. Seven years of college, you know. Trying to reason with 2020 and, now, 2022.

Friday, January 29, 2021

Music Deaths 2021: Gerry Marsden of Gerry & the Pacemakers, British Invasion

GERRY MARSDEN, 78

Died 3 January 2021

Singer / guitarist / leader of Mersey Beat band Gerry & the Pacemakers.

One of the big bands on the British Merseybeat scene.  In common with the Beatles, they came from Liverpool, were managed by Brian Epstein and were recorded by George Martin.

Their most famous song refers to the "Ferry Cross the Mersey" refers to the Mersey River which  flows past Liverpool.  His older brother, Fred, was also in the band.  They had three #1s in the UK before getting airplay in the U.S.

This was definitely one of the 1964 bands that made an impression on the very young me.  "Ferry Cross the Mersey" always reminds my of my MYF group at church.

Some of their hits, U.S. positions and year:

"Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying"  (#4-1964)

"How Do You Do It"  (#9-1964)

"I Like It"  (#17-1964)

"It's Gonna Be Alright"  (#23-1965)

"Ferry Cross the Mersey"  (#6-1965)

"I'll Be There"  (#14-1965)


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