Gerry Marsden, singer of the Liverpool band Gerry And The Pacemakers, has died, it has been confirmed.

The musician was 78 years outdated and died at this time (January 3) from an an infection in his coronary heart, pal and broadcaster Pete Value wrote on social media.

“It’s with a really heavy coronary heart after chatting with the household that I’ve to let you know the Legendary Gerry Marsden MBE after a brief sickness which was an an infection in his coronary heart has sadly handed away,” Value stated.

“Sending all of the love on the earth to Pauline and his household. You’ll By no means Stroll Alone.”

It’s with a really heavy coronary heart after chatting with the household that I’ve to let you know the Legendary Gerry Marsden MBE after a brief sickness which was an an infection in his coronary heart has sadly handed away. Sending all of the love on the earth to Pauline and his household. You’ll By no means Stroll Alone pic.twitter.com/Ezd9WcdeQK

— Pete Value (@PeteCityPrice) January 3, 2021

Marsden was greatest recognized for Pacemakers songs together with ‘Ferry Throughout The Mersey’, ‘I Like It’, and the band’s model of ‘You’ll By no means Stroll Alone’. He based the group in 1959 they usually went on to turn out to be the second group signed by The Beatles’ supervisor Brian Epstein.

They launched their debut single ‘How Do You Do It?’ In March 1963, with the observe reaching the highest of the singles chart in April.

Later that yr, the group launched their tackle ‘You’ll By no means Stroll Alone’, which has since turn out to be the anthem of Liverpool FC. Firstly of the coronavirus pandemic, the music additionally noticed a spike in streams within the UK because it was used to indicate assist for NHS and frontline employees. It was also covered by Lana Del Rey in 2020 for a documentary on Liverpool soccer membership.

The Pacemakers disbanded in 1967 however Marsden revived them in 1972 with a brand new line-up and continued to carry out till he retired in 2018.

All through his life, Marsden is alleged to have helped elevate greater than £35million for charity, together with particular releases with different artists within the wake of the 1985 hearth at Bradford Metropolis’s stadium and the 1989 Hillsborough catastrophe.

His charity work and his contribution to the tradition of Liverpool led to him being awarded the Freedom Of The Metropolis Of Liverpool in 2009.

Tributes to Marsden have begun to pour in on-line because the information of his dying broke. “It’s with such nice disappointment that we hear of Gerry Marsden’s passing,” Liverpool FC tweeted. “Gerry’s phrases will reside on eternally with us. You’ll By no means Stroll Alone.”

It’s with such nice disappointment that we hear of Gerry Marsden’s passing.

Gerry’s phrases will reside on eternally with us. You’ll By no means Stroll Alone ❤️ pic.twitter.com/5W4yspmLRV

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 3, 2021

The Cavern Membership, the place the Pacemakers performed almost 200 instances, additionally honoured the musician. “Devastated to listen to of the passing of Gerry Marsden earlier at this time,” they wrote. “The phrase legend is usually overused however Gerry was not solely a legend, but additionally an excellent pal of The Cavern.”

Devastated to listen to of the passing of Gerry Marsden earlier at this time.

The phrase legend is usually overused however Gerry was not solely a legend, but additionally an excellent pal of The Cavern. pic.twitter.com/74HQZP4gio

— The Cavern Membership (@cavernliverpool) January 3, 2021

Frankie Goes To Hollywood singer Holly Johnson added: “So sorry to listen to in regards to the passing of Gerry Marsden what a Liverpool legend. So glad I met him.”

So sorry to listen to in regards to the passing of Gerry Marsden what a Liverpool Legend . So glad I met him . #ferryacrossthemersey #youllneverwalkalone https://t.co/UnrOxkkWcq

— HOLLY JOHNSON (@TheHollyJohnson) January 3, 2021

See extra tributes beneath.

Such unhappy information about Gerry Marsden. His music will reside on eternally. You may By no means Stroll Alone.

— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) January 3, 2021

RIP Gerry Marsden!What a beautiful bloke I used to be fortunate to fulfill!zHe might have handed away however His voice will reside on eternally at Anfield !He won’t ever stroll alone!YNWA

— John Aldridge (@Realaldo474) January 3, 2021

Very unhappy information to listen to of the passing of Gerry Marsden.

So far as Scouse icons go they do not come a lot greater. #RIPGerryMarsden

We By no means Walked Alone.

pic.twitter.com/5LYXzxXnS8

— Paul Doward (@RadioNewsDigger) January 3, 2021

Everybody at #CelticFC sends their deepest condolences to the household & buddies of Gerry Marsden.

Gerry’s well-known lyrics will reside on at Celtic Park eternally. You’ll By no means Stroll Alone ?? https://t.co/JlNIVglFO1

— Celtic Soccer Membership (@CelticFC) January 3, 2021

RIP Gerry Marsden. You’ll By no means Stroll Alone. pic.twitter.com/iB7tq0axuY

— Lightning Seeds (@Lightning_Seeds) January 3, 2021

So unhappy to listen to Gerry Marsden has handed away. I did a few gigs with him and he was nice. RIP Gerry.