Gerry Marsden, Singer Of Liverpool’s Famed Anthem, Passes Away At 78
The lead singer of Gerry and the Pacemakers, whose version of You’ll Never Walk Alone was adopted by Liverpool fans as an anthem, was a beloved local figure
Gerry Marsden, front man of Gerry and the Pacemakers, passed away on Sunday at the age of 78 after a short heart illness. His cover of Roger and Hammerstein’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone” reached #1 on the UK pop charts in 1963, and was subsequently adopted by Liverpool fans as the club’s unofficial anthem.
Marsden grew up in Toxteth, and was a lifelong Liverpool fan. He formed Gerry and the Pacemakers (formerly Gerry and the Mars Bars) at a time where Liverpool was a central location of the music industry. Gerry and the Pacemakers rivaled the Beatles as both bands were first bursting onto the scene.
His version of You’ll Never Walk Alone has been sung on the Kop, and across the world, before every Liverpool match. The anthem has brought solace and strength to the club and its fans through the Hillsborough disaster, and has been sung in joy as the team famously beat Barcelona 4-0 in the Champion’s League semi-finals in 2019.
One of Gerry’s close friends, the DJ Pete Price, provided a statement for the Marsden family:
“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. Sending all the love in the world to Pauline and his family. You’ll Never Walk Alone”
Liverpool’s official twitter account shared the club’s sorrow of hearing of Marsden’s passing.
It is with such great sadness that we hear of Gerry Marsden’s passing.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 3, 2021
Gerry’s words will live on forever with us. You’ll Never Walk Alone ❤️ pic.twitter.com/5W4yspmLRV
Here at TLO towers, we would also like to pass our condolences to the Marsden family during this difficult time. We can only hope that Gerry is given a proper send off when fans are allowed back in Anfield. YNWA.
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
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