ALBUM DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF GERRY MARSDEN RELEASED BY ANGEL AIR RECORDS
Angel Air Records are proud to announce the release of a new Gerry Marsden album entitled ‘My Home Town’ dedicated to the memory of such a successful artiste and exceptional individual performing about his love for Liverpool. The tracks have never been available as an album collection in this combination before and represent a significant tribute to the artistry of Gerry Marsden and his distinctive voice and character.
It was put together by a trio of songwriters who worked with Gerry and features re-mastered old recordings and a new version of You’ll Never Walk Alone.
“I don’t think it should ever be underestimated how important Gerry has been to millions of Liverpool fans.” – Sir Kenny Dalglish
Gerry Marsden was an English singer-songwriter, musician and TV personality, best know for being leader of the Merseybeat band Gerry and the Pacemakers. The band have the distinction of being the first act to have their first three hits go to Number 1 in the UK charts and being the second-most successful group from Liverpool, after The Beatles.
Gerry was born in his beloved Liverpool in September 1942 and his interest in music began at a very early age. He remembered standing on top of an air-raid shelter singing Ragtime Cowboy Joe and getting
a great reception from onlookers! The band formed in 1959 and were the second to be signed by manager Brian Epstein. Their first single was 1963s How Do You Do It? recommended by George Martin after it was initially given to The Beatles. Recorded at Abbey Road, it was their first Number 1.
The Pacemakers disbanded in October 1966 and Gerry went on to a career in television and on the West End stage. He returned to Number 1 in the charts twice during the 1980s with re-recordings of two of his old hits, with all profits going to charity. In 1985 after the Bradford FC stadium tragedy which killed 56 people, he formed a group called ‘The Crowd’ to produce a new version of You’ll Never Walk Alone. In 1989 he joined forces with Paul McCartney, The Christians, and Holly Johnson for a new version of ‘Ferry Cross the Mersey’ following the Hillsborough disaster.
In 1990 he recorded the song Red White and Blue with The England Supporters Club that appeared on the Euro 96 album England’s Glory and in 1993 he published his autobiography I’ll Never Walk Alone.
In 2003, for his services supporting the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, Gerry was made Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and in 2009 he was awarded the Freedom of the City by Liverpool.
He died on 3rd January 2021 after being diagnosed with a blood infection in his heart. He was 78 years old.
Track Listing
1. My Home Town / 2. Here I Go Again / 3. Remember The Days Of Rock ‘n’ Roll / 4. Red White And Blue / 5. Can’t You Hear The Song / 6. They Don’t Make Days Like That Anymore / 7. There’s Still Time / 8. Lovely Lady / 9. Girl What You Doin / 10. You’ll Never Walk Alone (Bonus Track)
Songwriter David Martin who wrote many of the tracks above along with his songwriting partners Chris Arnold and Geoff Morrow (and most famously the Barry Manilow smash hit Can’t Smile Without You) befriended Gerry in the 1980s and they stayed close right up until his death. With the help of Angel Air, it is these three individuals that have been essential in instigating this album project in memory of their dear friend. As David says in the liner notes: –
“The most wonderful thing about dear Gerry Marsden was that what you saw was what you got. That cheery smile which exuded such happiness and the gentle soul who was always ready to befriend was exactly what he was all about. If there was ever a man who never walked alone, that man was Gerry Marsden. He is dearly missed and will never be forgotten.”
Gerry Marsden MBE
1942-2021
