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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Dan Haygarth

Gerry Marsden to be celebrated in huge memorial service

The life of singer Gerry Marsden MBE will be celebrated at a memorial in Liverpool this month.

The Toxteth -born frontman of Merseybeat band Gerry and the Pacemakers passed away on January 3 2021 at the age of 78, after being diagnosed with a blood infection in his heart.

Due to the covid pandemic, only a small private funeral could be held following Gerry's death and his legions of fans were unable to pay their respects to him.

READ MORE: Gerry Marsden's widow on LFC tribute and the 'great big hole' he's left behind

Now, Gerry’s family have allocated several hundred tickets to the public for a memorial service, which will take place at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral on March 18.

They free tickets can be collected from Eventbrite ( by clicking here ), Woodside Ferry Terminal in Birkenhead, Jillian Dawn Floral Designs in Willaston, Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, and the Hilton Hotel in Liverpool city centre.

Yvette and Vicky, Gerry’s daughters, said: “We are so very proud of dad and we really want March 18th to be a memorable day and a true celebration of our dad’s life and his incredible achievements.

“We know he touched many hearts and lives and this is the reason we have decided to open up the celebration to members of the community. We know this is what dad would have wanted to happen and we hope as many people as possible will share in this special day and be a part of this moment for our amazing dad.”

Formed in Liverpool in 1956, Gerry and the Pacemakers have the distinction of being the first act to reach number one in the UK Singles Chart with each of their first three singles.

The third of these singles was their cover version of You'll Never Walk Alone, which then became Liverpool FC ’s anthem.

Gerry Marsden singing You'll Never Walk Alone on the pitch at Anfield (Colin Lane)

The band starred in the 1965 musical ‘Ferry Cross the Mersey’, before splitting up 1967. They reformed in the 1970s and continued touring until 2018, when Gerry retired.

Gerry had also worked as a solo artist and reached the top of the charts in the 1980s with re-recordings of his iconic tracks.

He was made an MBE in 2003 for his services supporting the victims of the Hillsborough disaster and he was awarded Liverpool’s Freedom of the City in 2009.

The singer released a new version of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' in 2020, paying tribute to the efforts of the NHS during the covid pandemic.

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