Editing Gerry and the Pacemakers (section)

== History ==
Marsden formed the group in 1956 with his brother Fred, Les Chadwick, and Arthur McMahon.<ref name="AMG"/>  At the time, Gerry had been working for [[British Rail]] as a deliveryman.<ref name="Rolling Stone 1986">{{cite web |last1=Fricke |first1=David |title=Gerry and the Pacemakers: Where Are They Now? |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/gerry-and-the-pacemakers-where-are-they-now-107595/ |website=RollingStone.com |publisher=Rolling Stone |access-date=January 14, 2024 |date=September 11, 1986}}</ref>  They rivalled [[the Beatles]] early in their career, playing in the same areas of Liverpool.<ref name="AMG" /> McMahon (known as Arthur Mack) was replaced on piano by [[Les Maguire]] around 1961.<ref name="AMG" /> The group's original name was '''Gerry Marsden and the Mars Bars''',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://triumphpc.com/mersey-beat/archives/gerrymarsden.shtml|title=Meet The Singer: Gerry Marsden – Mersey Beat|access-date=23 January 2016}}</ref> but they were forced to change this when the [[Mars, Incorporated|Mars Company]], producers of the chocolate [[Mars (chocolate bar)|Mars bar]], complained.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spectropop.com/remembers/FreddieMarsden.htm|title=Freddie Marsden Remembered|website=Spectropop.com|access-date=23 January 2016}}</ref>

{{citation needed span |text=The band was the second to sign with Brian Epstein (becoming one of his favourite artists. |date=January 2024}} Epstein later signed them to [[Columbia Graphophone Company|Columbia Records]] (a sister label to the Beatles' label [[Parlophone]] under [[EMI]]).<ref name="AMG" /> They began recording in January 1963 with "[[How Do You Do It?]]", a song written by [[Mitch Murray]].<ref>[[The Beatles Anthology (film)|''The Beatles Anthology'']]: Episode 1, chapter 16 "Please Please Me"-"We're No.1"</ref> The song was produced by [[George Martin]] and became a number one hit in the UK, the first by an Epstein-managed Liverpool group to achieve this on all charts.<ref>[http://www.beatlesbible.com/songs/how-do-you-do-it/ The Beatles Bible: How Do You Do It] Retrieved 22 August 2008</ref> "How Do You Do It?" was also reluctantly recorded by the Beatles (they eventually convinced Martin to let them release their song "[[Love Me Do]]"<ref>''Tune In'' by Mark Lewisohn</ref> as a single instead).  Both the Pacemakers' and Beatles' versions of "How Do You Do It?" were recorded at [[Abbey Road Studios]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Gerry & the Pacemakers|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/gerry-the-pacemakers-mn0000541125|access-date=2021-01-03|website=AllMusic|language=en}}</ref>

Gerry Marsden was quoted as saying:

{{Blockquote|The Beatles and ourselves (The Pacemakers)—we let go, when we get on-stage. I'm not being detrimental, but in the south, I think the groups have let themselves get a bit too formal. On Merseyside, it's beat, beat, beat all the way. We go on and really have a ball.<ref name="NME Rock 'N' Roll Years">{{cite book|title=NME Rock 'N' Roll Years|last=Tobler|first=John|publisher=Reed International Books Ltd|year=1992|edition=1st|location=London|page=123|id=CN 5585}}</ref>}}

[[File:Shankly Gates.jpg|thumb|left|The 'Shankly Gates' entrance to Liverpool's home stadium [[Anfield]]. The anthem of [[Liverpool F.C.]], "You'll Never Walk Alone" is sung by its fans before the start of each home game, with the Gerry and the Pacemakers version played over the [[Public address system|PA system]].]]

Gerry and the Pacemakers' next two singles, Murray's "[[I Like It (Gerry and the Pacemakers song)|I Like It]]" and [[Rodgers and Hammerstein]]'s "[[You'll Never Walk Alone]]", both also reached number one in the UK Singles Chart,<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book |first=David |last=Roberts |year=2006 |title=British Hit Singles & Albums |edition=19th |publisher=Guinness World Records Limited |location=London |isbn=1-904994-10-5 |page=264}}</ref> the latter recorded instead of the Beatles' "[[Hello Little Girl]]". "You'll Never Walk Alone" had been a favourite of Marsden's since seeing ''[[Carousel (musical)|Carousel]]'' when he was growing up. It quickly became the signature tune of [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool Football Club]] and, later, other sports teams around the world.<ref>Nik Brumsack. [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/hillsborough-25th-anniversary-the-story-of-youll-never-walk-alone-9259702.html The story of 'You'll Never Walk Alone'], ''Independent'', April 14, 2014.</ref><ref>[http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/why-liverpool-fans-sing-youll-never-walk-alone#QiSeISUZmHOwOU5L.99 Why Liverpool fans sing 'You'll Never Walk Alone']. Four Four Two. Retrieved 10 October 2016</ref> The song remains a football anthem.<ref name="500 Number One Hits">{{cite book |first=Jo |last=Rice |year=1982 |title=The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits |edition=1st |publisher=Guinness Superlatives Ltd |location=Enfield, Middlesex |page=74 |isbn=0-85112-250-7}}</ref> The group narrowly missed a fourth consecutive number one when "[[I'm the One (Gerry and the Pacemakers song)|I'm the One]]" was kept off the top spot for two weeks in February 1964 by fellow Liverpudlians [[The Searchers (band)|The Searchers]]' "[[Needles and Pins (song)|Needles and Pins]]".

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.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Paul Gambaccini|author2=Jo Rice|title=British Hit Singles: Every Single Hit Since 1952|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jnHOozGqYN0C|date=July 1991|publisher=Random House Incorporated|isbn=978-0-8230-7572-0}}</ref> 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 [[Billboard Hot 100|United States Billboard pop charts]].

[[File:Gerry and the Pacemakers New York arrival 1964.JPG|thumb|The group's New York arrival in 1964.]]

Despite this early success, Gerry and the Pacemakers never had another number one single in the UK. Marsden began writing most of their songs, including "I'm the One", "It's Gonna Be All Right" and "Ferry Cross the Mersey", as well as their first and biggest US [[chart hit|hit]], "[[Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying]]", which peaked at No. 4.<ref name="AMG" />

The band also starred in the early 1965 film, ''[[Ferry Cross the Mersey (film)|Ferry Cross the Mersey]]'' for which Marsden wrote much of the soundtrack.<ref name="AMG" />  The film was co-written by ''[[Coronation Street]]'' creator and writer [[Tony Warren]] and is considered to be their version of the Beatles' ''[[A Hard Day's Night (film)|A Hard Day's Night]]''.<ref name=":0" />

The title song was revived in 1989 as a charity single for an appeal in response to the [[Hillsborough Disaster|Hillsborough football crowd disaster]], giving Marsden – in association with other Liverpool stars, including [[Paul McCartney]], [[Ringo Starr]] and [[Frankie Goes to Hollywood]]'s [[Holly Johnson]] – another British number one.<ref name="AMG" /><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums 2">{{cite book |first=David |last=Roberts |year=2006 |title=British Hit Singles & Albums |edition=19th |publisher=Guinness World Records Limited |location=London |isbn=1-904994-10-5 |page=106}}</ref>

In the US, their recordings were released by the small New York City record label [[Laurie Records|Laurie]] in 1963, with which they issued four singles without success. When the Beatles broke through in January 1964, Laurie's next regular single release of "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" (Laurie 3284) became a big hit and, during 1964, Laurie coupled "How Do You Do It?" with "You'll Never Walk Alone" (Laurie 3261), and "I Like It" with "[[Jambalaya (On the Bayou)]]" (Laurie 3271), with some success. They appeared in the landmark [[concert film]] ''[[T.A.M.I. Show]]'', released in December 1964, performing alongside [[Chuck Berry]], [[The Beach Boys]], [[James Brown]] and [[The Rolling Stones]].

By late 1965, their popularity was rapidly declining on both sides of the Atlantic.<ref name="AMG" /> They disbanded either in October 1966 or sometime in early-to-mid-1967,<ref name="AMG" /> (or perhaps in 1969<ref name="Rolling Stone 1986"/>) with much of their later recorded material never released in the UK. Gerry Marsden maintained a low-key (but popular) career on television,<ref name=":2" /> including on TV variety shows and as a regular slot on children's television in ''[[The Sooty Show]]''.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Dafydd Rees|author2=Luke Crampton|title=Rock Stars Encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GDUYknYQ-tkC|year=1999|publisher=DK Pub.|isbn=978-0-7894-4613-8|page=409}}</ref><ref name="Rolling Stone 1986"/> He also starred in the [[West End theatre|West End]] musical ''[[Charlie Girl]]'' alongside [[Derek Nimmo]] and [[Anna Neagle]].<ref>{{cite book|author1=Kurt Gänzl|author2=Andrew Lamb|title=Gänzl's Book of the Musical Theatre|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9osYAAAAIAAJ|year=1989|publisher=Schirmer Books|isbn=978-0-02-871941-2|page=207}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Charlie Girl|url=http://www.esos.org.uk/photos/prognotes/notescharliegirl.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107154042/http://www.esos.org.uk/photos/prognotes/notescharliegirl.htm|archive-date=2007-11-07|access-date=2021-01-03|website=East Surrey Operatic Society}}</ref><ref name="Rolling Stone 1986"/>

While working as a solo artist, Gerry Marsden began working with pianist and musical director Jose McLaughlin in 1970.  In 1972, Gerry Marsden and McLaughlin reformed the Pacemakers in 1972 with fellow [[Liverpudlian|Liverpool]] musicians Billy Kinsley (bass) and Pete Clarke (drums).<ref name="triumphpc.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.triumphpc.com/mersey-beat/a-z/universityofmerseysound3.shtml|title=The University of Mersey Sound - Jose McLaughlin - Mersey Beat|website=Triumphpc.com|access-date=2018-12-03}}</ref>  Kinsley had previously been a member of [[The Merseybeats]], the Kinsleys, and Rockin' Horse.  (Kinsley would later reunite Rockin' Horse after leaving the Pacemakers and rename his new group [[Liverpool Express]]).<ref name="AllMusic Billy Kinsley">{{cite web |last1=Eder |first1=Bruce |title=Billy Kinsley: Biography, Discography, Songs, and Credits |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/billy-kinsley-mn0001497494 |website=AllMusic.com |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=January 12, 2024}}</ref>  Clarke had previously been a member of a band called The Escorts.  In April 1973, this second version of the group became the only Merseybeat band to ever record for the [[John Peel|John Peel Show]] on BBC Radio. The tracks from that show have now been included on the album ''Gerry and the Pacemakers Live at the BBC'', released on Parlophone Records in October 2018.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Peel Sessions|last=Garner|first=Ken|publisher=BBC Books|year=2007|isbn=978-1-84607-326-7|location=London|pages=80, 288}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Gerry-The-Pacemakers-Live-At-The-BBC/release/12884998|title=Gerry & The Pacemakers – Live At The BBC (2018, CD)|access-date=3 September 2021|website=Discogs.com|date=26 October 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/sessions/1970s/1973/Apr17gerryandthepacem|title=BBC - Radio 1 - Keeping It Peel - 17/04/1973 Gerry And The Pacemakers|website=Bbc.co.uk|access-date=2018-12-08}}</ref> Since then, Marsden often toured with various lineups of the band on the oldies circuit.  By the mid-1980s, Gerry and the Pacemakers toured nine months every year (in the words of David Fricke of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'') "doing lucrative cabaret gigs and nostalgia rock shows in Europe, North America, and Australia."<ref name="Rolling Stone 1986"/>

Gerry Marsden returned to #1 in the UK charts twice during the 1980s with re-recordings of two of his hits with the Pacemakers, with all profits going to charity. In 1985 after the [[Bradford City stadium fire|Bradford Football Club stadium tragedy]] in which 56 were killed,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Scrivener|first=Peter|date=2005-05-11|title=Bradford remembers fire disaster|language=en-GB|work=BBC|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/4506597.stm|access-date=2021-01-03}}</ref> he formed a group called [[The Crowd (band)|the Crowd]], which included other musicians, singers, and radio disc jockeys, to produce a new version of "You'll Never Walk Alone".<ref name=":0" />  On 18 April 1989, three days after the [[Hillsborough disaster]] in which 97 Liverpool F.C. fans died, he joined forces with [[Paul McCartney]], the [[The Christians (band)|Christians]], [[Holly Johnson]], and the production trio [[Stock, Aitken & Waterman]] on a new version of "Ferry Cross the Mersey".<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Sweeting|first=Adam|date=2021-01-03|title=Gerry Marsden obituary|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/jan/03/gerry-marsden-obituary|access-date=2021-01-03|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/ferry-cross-the-mersey/|title=ferry cross the mersey &#124; full Official Chart History &#124; Official Charts Company|website=www.officialcharts.com}}</ref>

Drummer Freddie Marsden later opened the Pacemaker driving school in [[Formby]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Freddie Marsden Remembered|url=http://www.spectropop.com/remembers/FreddieMarsden.htm|access-date=2021-11-18|website=www.spectropop.com}}</ref> after having previously worked for [[British Telecom]] during the 1980s.<ref name="Rolling Stone 1986"/>  He died on 9 December 2006 in [[Southport]], age 66.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/56444/merseybeat-drummer-fred-marsden-dies|title=Merseybeat Drummer Fred Marsden Dies|date=14 December 2019|website=Billboard.com|access-date=15 June 2019}}</ref>

On 15 March 2017, Gerry Marsden collapsed onstage due to a sore knee while performing at a concert in [[Newport, Wales]]. After being helped offstage, Marsden did not return but was quoted as saying the incident was "nothing serious".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/showbiz/gerry-marsden-gerry-pacemakers-collapses-12755985|title=Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers collapses on stage in Newport|last=Deacon|first=Thomas|date=17 March 2017|website=WalesOnline.co.uk|access-date=15 June 2019}}</ref>

Gerry Marsden announced his retirement on 29 November 2018, in order to spend more time with family,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/pop-icon-famous-youll-never-13659697|title=Pop icon famous for 'You'll Never Walk Alone' hit song retires|last=Allen|first=Kelly|date=28 November 2018|website=Mirror|access-date=15 June 2019}}</ref> but, on 6 June 2019, to commemorate Liverpool's win against [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham]] in the [[2018–19 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]], he surprised [[Take That]] fans by singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" at their show at [[Anfield]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/world-news/and-finally/watch-gerry-marsden-joins-take-that-at-anfield-to-sing-youll-never-walk-alone-38191739.html|title=Watch: Gerry Marsden joins Take That at Anfield to sing You'll Never Walk Alone|last=Dracott|first=Edd|date=7 June 2019|website=Independent|access-date=23 June 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

Original bass player Les Chadwick died on 26 December 2019.<ref>[https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Pacemaker+Les%2C+76%2C+loses+battle+with+brain+cancer%3B+FRIENDS+PAY...-a0610092868 Paddy Shennan, "Pacemaker Les, 76, loses battle with brain cancer"], ''Liverpool Echo'', 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2020</ref>  (After the original lineup broke up during the 1960s, Chadwick moved to Australia.<ref name="Rolling Stone 1986"/>)

In 2020, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]], Gerry Marsden released a new version of "You'll Never Walk Alone" in tribute to the [[National Health Service]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-04|title=Football: Liverpool salute Marsden after You'll Never Walk Alone singer dies aged 78|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-liverpool-salute-marsden-after-youll-never-walk-alone-singer-dies-aged-78|access-date=2021-01-04|website=The Straits Times|language=en}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/gerry-marsden-death-illness-b1781737.html|title=Musician Gerry Marsden dies aged 78|date=3 January 2021|website=The Independent}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url = https://news.sky.com/story/gerry-and-the-pacemakers-star-gerry-marsden-dies-aged-78-12178543|title = Gerry And The Pacemakers star Gerry Marsden who sang You'll Never Walk Alone dies aged 78|last = Robertson|first = Chris|date = 3 January 2021|access-date = 3 January 2021|work = [[Sky News]]}}</ref>

Les Maguire, the last surviving member of the classic 1960s lineup, died on 25 November 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Olivia |date=2023-11-27 |title=Merseybeat legend and 'devoted' dad and grandad dies |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/merseybeat-legend-devoted-dad-grandad-28182793 |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=Liverpool Echo |language=en}}</ref>  (Some time after the original lineup split during the 1960s, Maguire joined the [[Royal Navy]], where he was still serving and employed during 1985.<ref name="Rolling Stone 1986"/>)