(December 2024) Episode 618 is GERRY AND THE PACEMAKERS. There are only two groups who can ever be called the biggest bands out of Liverpool. The first was Gerry and the Pacemakers, who hit the charts slightly before those other lads. Their mix of peppy guitar pop and sweet ballads helped define the Merseybeat sound. Their sound is very similar to the Beatles’ first couple of albums – unsurprising as they were managed by Brian Epstein and produced by George Martin. They were even given their own “Hard Day’s Night” film/soundtrack project: Ferry Cross the Mersey. Gerry Marsden was their only singer, though, and they suffered in comparison to the Beatles’ three-part harmony. And once the UK’s center of musical gravity shifted to the London R&B bands, the Pacemakers’ sound fell out of fashion ad they broke up. But they live on at every Liverpool FC* home match when fans chant the team anthem, the Pacemakers’ version of “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
Favourite album: Ferry Cross the Mersey
Favourite song: It’s Gonna Be Alright
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: If you’re looking at one album, try Ferry Cross the Mersey, but a greatest hits package will capture their peppy early chart toppers like “I Like It” and “How Do You Do It?”
* this Everton FC fan says boo.
Opus Project 