YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE SINGER GERRY DIES AT 78
GERRY Marsden’s family revealed Covid rules prevented them being with him in hospital as he died early yesterday morning aged 78.
In a heartbreaking tribute his daughter Yvette said: “He was our hero. We are absolutely devastated. He was a fabulous man and a fabulous grandad and husband.”
The Gerry and the Pacemakers singer will always be remembered for his hit You’ll Never Walk Alone which has become the world’s most famous football anthem after it was adopted by Liverpool FC.
Yvette added: “He has always been a good man. He had his feet on the ground. He made us laugh every single day. It was a very short illness
– an infection in his blood – and too quick to comprehend.
“Unfortunately he died in hospital which was devastating for us because we were not allowed in due to the current regulations.”
Born in Toxteth, Liverpool, in September 1942, Gerry married Pauline in 1965 and had another daughter Victoria. He underwent a triple heart bypass in 2003 and more heart surgery in 2016, having his own pacemaker fitted.
Yvette said Gerry, grandad to Tom and Maggie, had been shielding since March and became poorly recently before being taken to hospital, where he passed away. It was unrelated to Covid. “The love we are getting on social media is incredible,” said Yvette. “It means so much to us all.”
Sir Paul McCartney led tributes, saying: “My sympathies go to his wife Pauline and family. See ya, Gerry. I’ll always remember you with a smile – Paul.”
Singer Elvis Costello posted a link to the song Away From You and added: “His voice will always lead the way at Anfield, in times of celebration or lament.”
You’ll Never Walk Alone had a resurgence this year after a cover of the song featuring Captain Sir Tom Moore reached No 1 in the UK singles chart.
In April, Gerry, who was awarded an MBE in 2003, recorded a new version with a video. Yvette recalled Gerry saying that day: “I’m just a lad from Toxteth, I don’t know how this is happening”.
Gerry and the Pacemakers, whose other big success was Ferry Cross the Mersey, enjoyed sell- out tours around the world.
The Beatles manager Brian Epstein signed them up in 1962 and their first three releases – How Do You Do It, I Like It and You’ll Never Walk Alone – reached No 1 in 1963. The group split in 1967 and Gerry pursued a solo career before the band reformed in 1974 to tour.
He also raised £ 35million for charity, including with recordings with other artists after the 1985 Bradford City stadium fire and the Hillsborough tragedy in 1989.
He sang the anthem at the service for Hillsborough’s 25th anniversary in 2014. The club tweeted yesterday: “His anthem bonded players, staff and fans around the world, helping create something truly special. Gerry’s words will live on forever with us. You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
GERRY Marsden, and Gerry And The Pacemakers, were once as big as the Beatles. The irrepressible Merseybeat band’s first three singles – How Do You Do It?, I Like It and You’ll Never Walk Alone – went straight to number one in the charts, the first act ever to achieve this.
Now Gerry Marsden MBE has died at 78 and the grief will be keenest in Liverpool. He was given the Freedom of the City for such hits as Ferry Cross The Mersey, and You’ll Never Walk Alone became the anthem for Liverpool FC.
Toxteth- born Gerry hardly stopped touring in his 60- year career, and raised huge sums for charity, including to support those affected by 1989’ s Hillsborough disaster. He will be deeply missed.