Gerry Marsden (January 3rd, aged 78)
Gerry Marsden, the leader of the Merseybeat band Gerry and the Pacemakers, died at Arrowe Park Hospital in Northwest England after being diagnosed with a blood infection in his heart.
Formed in 1599, Gerry and the Pacemakers were the second group signed by Brian Epstein, next to the Beatles. Gerry and the Pacemakers’ hits include How Do You Do It, I Like It, and You’ll Never Walk Alone from the musical Carousel, which became the anthem for his hometown football team, Liverpool FC.
After the Gerry and the Pacemakers disbanded in 1966, Marsden had a low-key career on TV, including a regular slot in the British children’s television The Sooty Show.
