Gerry and the Pacemakers shine in new documentary 

by Katie Hickox in Liverpool (Reprinted with Kind Permission of Katie)

A new documentary on Gerry and the Pacemakers featuring 17 performances from 1963-1965 and new interviews taped at the Cavern with Gerry Marsden had its premiere screening Wednesday night, August 26th, at the Hard Day's Night Hotel in Liverpool as part of a series on classic artists of the British Invasion.

With the exception of the Beatles themselves, no other group dominated the early years of the British Invasion like Gerry & The Pacemakers. They were the first artists to have their first three singles top the British charts, and many of their songs are now beloved classics.

Gerry Marsden was on hand to meet with the press and to greet fans, some of whom had flown in from the US especially for the screening and the chance to have their picture taken with Gerry. He watched the documentary for the first time along with the audience and it was great to hear his funny ad lib comments throughout the film, such as, "he's a scouser" during his own songs. Rare performances of Gerry and the Pacemakers from 1963-65 are shown and one includes a never before seen clip of Brian Epstein introducing Gerry and the Pacemakers. Gerry talks about how he came to write "Ferry Across the Mersey" in just over 6 minutes and how his version of "You'll Never Walk Alone" has become the anthem of the Liverpool Football Club. Both songs are invariably associated with Liverpool.

 
Yours truly with Gerry Marsden 

Afterwards he held a short question and answer in which he talked about how he was a great friend of the Beatles and in particular with John Lennon. He said while they, his band were friends off stage with all of the Beatles, they were rivals on stage and were very competitive especially after Gerry & the Pacemakers had three number one hit songs in a row from three singles. He revealed that Ed Sullivan loved having them on the show more than the Beatles. He also shared how proud he is that his song, "Ferry Across the Mersey", is still played on every Ferry that crosses the Mersey and that he has stayed in Liverpool because he loves the city.

The new documentary, 95 minutes, will be released as a DVD for sale from Amazon UK September 7th and includes interviews with Bill Harry, founder and publisher of Mersey Beat paper and MerseyBeat historian.

Gerry & The Pacemakers: It's Gonna Be All Right 1963 – 1965 features 15 complete songs filmed between 1963 to 1965 and is the group's first official DVD release. Included are the classic "How Do You Do It", "I Like It" and "I'm The One", timeless masterpieces "Ferry Cross The Mersey" and "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying" and the number one anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone". The DVD bonus section includes a new solo rendition of "Ferry Cross The Mersey" filmed at the Cavern Club.

For more information on the documentary, go to www.the-britishinvasion.com/gerryandthepacemakers.php   

Gerry continues to perform and has a busy concert tour schedule for the UK in the fall. Go to www.gerryandthepacemakers.co.uk   for tour dates.