Gerry and the Pacemakers were a British rock and roll band that emerged in the early 1960s. Led by Gerry Marsden, the band achieved considerable success both in the UK and internationally, thanks to a string of hit singles that captured the spirit of the era. In this article, we’ll take a look at their discography and explore the legacy of Gerry and the Pacemakers.
Formation and Early Career
Gerry and the Pacemakers were formed in Liverpool in 1959, at the height of the city’s musical explosion. The band consisted of Gerry Marsden (lead vocals, guitar), his brother Fred (drums), Les Chadwick (bass), and Arthur McMahon (piano). Originally called Gerry Marsden and the Mars Bars, the band changed its name to Gerry and the Pacemakers in 1960, after signing with manager Brian Epstein.
The band’s early career was marked by a string of local gigs and small-scale releases, with their first single “How Do You Do It?” becoming a hit in 1963. This was followed by the chart-topping “I Like It” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, which became the band’s signature tune.
Discography
Gerry and the Pacemakers released a total of three studio albums, five extended plays (EPs), and seventeen singles over the course of their career. Here’s a look at their key releases:
Studio Albums:
- How Do You Like It? (1963) – The band’s debut album, featuring the hit singles “How Do You Do It?” and “I Like It”.
- Gerry and the Pacemakers’ Second Album (1964) – The band’s second album, featuring the hit singles “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying” and “It’s Gonna Be Alright”.
- Ferry Cross the Mersey (1965) – The band’s third and final album, featuring the hit singles “Ferry Cross the Mersey” and “I’ll Be There”.
Extended Plays (EPs):
- Gerry and the Pacemakers (1963) – Featuring the hit singles “How Do You Do It?” and “I Like It”.
- Gerry and the Pacemakers No. 2 (1964) – Featuring the hit singles “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying” and “It’s Gonna Be Alright”.
- Gerry and the Pacemakers No. 3 (1964) – Featuring the hit singles “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and “I’m the One”.
- Gerry and the Pacemakers No. 4 (1965) – Featuring the hit singles “Ferry Cross the Mersey” and “I’ll Be There”.
- The Best of Gerry and the Pacemakers (1965) – Featuring a selection of the band’s greatest hits.
Singles:
- “How Do You Do It?” (1963) – The band’s debut single, which reached #1 in the UK charts.
- “I Like It” (1963) – The band’s second single, which also reached #1 in the UK charts.
- “You’ll Never Walk Alone” (1963) – The band’s third single, which became their signature tune.
- “I’m the One” (1964) – A top 20 hit for the band in the UK.
- “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying” (1964) – A top 10 hit in both the UK and the US.
- “It’s Gonna Be Alright” (1964) – A top 20 hit for the band in the UK.
- “Ferry Cross the Mersey