Gerry Marsden, lead singer of the 1960s British band Gerry and the Pacemakers, best known hit, “Ferry Cross The Mersey”, came in 1964.
Marsden died of a heart infection at 78, his friend and radio broadcaster Pete Price announced Sunday. “It’s with a very heavy heart after speaking to the family that I have to tell you the Legendary Gerry Marsden MBE after a short illness which was an infection in his heart has sadly passed away,” Price said on Twitter. “Sending all the love in the world to Pauline and his family. You’ll never walk Alone. “Marsden was known for his cover of the song “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from the musical “Carousel.” It became the anthem for his hometown football team, Liverpool FC.
His family said he died on Sunday after a short illness not linked to Covid-19.
The band’s other best known hit, “Ferry Cross The Mersey”, came in 1964. It was written by Marsden himself as a tribute to his city, and reached number eight. Marsden, was made an MBE in 2003(MBE is the third highest ranking Order of the British Empire award (excluding a knighthood/damehood), behind CBE and then OBE.) for services to charity after supporting victims of the Hillsborough disaster. At the time, he said he was “over the moon” to have received the honor, following his support for numerous charities across Merseyside and beyond.
