You’ll never walk alone
Tributes as singer dies at 78
TRIBUTES poured in last night for You’ll Never Walk Alone singer Gerry Marsden, who died, aged 78, after a short illness.
Celtic – who adopted the song as an anthem alongside Gerry’s home club of Liverpool – were among those who remembered the lead singer of the 60s band Gerry and The Pacemakers.
His daughter Yvette said: “We are absolutely devastated… he was our hero. He was a fabulous, fabulous man and a fabulous grandad and husband.
“He had an infection in his blood and it attacked his heart very very quickly but he died peacefully.”
His friend, broadcaster Pete Price, wrote on Instagram: “It’s with a very heavy heart, after speaking to the family, that I have to tell you the legendary Gerry Marsden MBE… has sadly passed away.
“I’m sending all the love in the world to Pauline and his family. You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
Yvette said Gerry , who was awarded an MBE in 2003 for his charity work and married wife Pauline in 1965, had been shielding since March. His death was not Covid-related.
The Hoops tweeted video of the singer leading 60,000 fans in a rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone before Celtic’s UEFA Cup match against Liverpool in 2003.
A post on the club’s Twitter feed said: “Everyone at #Celtic FCsends their deepest condolences to the family and friends of Gerry Marsden. Gerry’s famous lyrics will live on at Celtic Park forever.”
Liverpool FC also paid tribute on Twitter, writing: “It is with such great sadness that we hear of Gerry Marsden’s passing. Gerry’s words will live on forever with us.”
Yvette added: “The love we are getting on social media is incredible. It means so much to us all.”
You’ll Never Walk Alone enjoyed a resurgence during the pandemic after a cover of the song, featuring Captain Sir Tom Moore, reached No1. Last April, Gerry recorded a new version of the hit alongside a video, which featured a number of messages about the NHS.
The band’s three songs reached No1 in 1963 – How Do You Do It, I Like It and You’ll Never Walk Alone. They split in 1967 and Marsden pursued a solo career before the band reformed in 1974.