Gerry Marsden Comes to the Civic
Gerry Marsden is a name synonymous with the swinging sixties and a musical revolution that changed the face of music forever. Gerry was slap bang in the middle of everything with his band The Pace Makers and, man, did Gerry and The Pacemakers certainly leave their mark.
Managed by the legendary Brian Epstein whom Gerry describes as ‘an absolute Gentleman', Brian also managed another small unknown scouse band called The Beatles.
Gerry is on tour with his brand new band and will be performing at The Whitehaven Civic hall on April 3.
I caught up with Gerry for a chin wag to find out what the oldest swinger on tour is up to.
 |
SM What's the score with the tour?
GM It's called Gerry Across The Mersey and we are playing about 50 dates in the UK. After that we are off to the States then Canada which will make it about 85 shows all in all.
SM What can we look forward to?
GM The show is in two parts: the first half is about my early life and I tell people about the songs, where they came from, what they're about and the great stories behind them all. The second half is one big party, the fun really kicks in.
SM How did you capture Brian Epstein's attention?
GM When we were kids we would go to Brian's music shop, buying and listening to Rhythm and Blues and all the imports from the States. Brian asked me one day: "Why are you buying all this strange music?" I explained what it was and told him about the bands playing these songs live at The Cavern. From there he went to The Cavern to get a first-hand glimpse of what was happening and it was there that he first saw The Beatles. We were in Hamburg at that time and, when we came back, he approached us and asked if he could manage us.
SM My favourite song from Gerry and The Pacemakers is Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying. Where did this song come from?
GM Thanks very much. Well the story behind that song is me and my girlfriend had an argument and fell out. I went home, wrote that song, recorded it on a tape and sent it to her. She phoned me right away and said she loved it; we patched things up and she became my wife.
SM I have heard various stories and one in particular concerning you and your mate John Lennon regarding one particular song. Tell us more.
GM We were on tour, John came in my bedroom with his guitar and sung me a song and asked ‘what do you think?' I told him I thought it was crap. It was I Want to Hold Your Hand, and it went on to sell forty million million records. What do I know about music?!
SM Being a genius, it is well known that you are an avid Red. What are your thoughts on Rafa?
GM Rafa is a really nice guy, but I think it is time for a change. There have been too many buys that I don't like and It think there are too many foreigners in the team. I like to see local lads playing for their local teams and there is not enough of that at Liverpool.
SM What do you think of the recent changes at the centre of the universe - God's Country - the city of life - Liverpool?
GM I am proud of the city and proud to come from Liverpool. The City of Culture year was fantastic and The Lord Mayor, Steve Rotheram, worked really hard. The Albert Dock is fantastic and the new development of the city has really pumped life into the city. The future of Liverpool looks really good. I was awarded the MBE from the Queen but the proudest moment was being awarded the freedom of the city. That is the greatest honour that could have been bestowed on me.
I really enjoyed talking to Gerry. He was funny, charming and talked for ages (that is when he eventually finished his breakfast). He is a legend to many and certainly one of my all-time favourites. He was an original of the sixties and, 50 years on, is still an Original.
Catch Gerry on April 3 at The Whitehaven Civic Hall. Box Office 01946 514 960. Tickets going fast.
Read the full interview at www.thewestcumbriaguide.com
For more on Gerry, visit www.gerryandthepacemakers.co.uk
