London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Apr 12, 2026

How Dylan marked the life of Liverpool 'ferryman' Gerry Marsden - The Leigh G Banks Preservation Society

How Dylan marked the life of Liverpool 'ferryman' Gerry Marsden - The Leigh G Banks Preservation Society

Gerry and the Pacemakers singer Gerry Marsden has died at the age of 78. His family said he died after a short illness not linked to Covid-19. Gerry’s band was one of the biggest successes of the Merseybeat era, and in1963 their first three songs hit the top of the charts. The band’s second best …
Gerry and the Pacemakers singer Gerry Marsden has died at the age of 78.

His family said he died after a short illness not linked to Covid-19.

Gerry’s band was one of the biggest successes of the Merseybeat era, and in1963 their first three songs hit the top of the charts.

The band’s second best known hit, Ferry Cross The Mersey, came out in 1964. And it was a track that Bob Dylan seems to have always remembered.

The single was released in America in 1965 and soon after that Dylan played Liverpool where he was captured on film sitting in a doorway in Dublin Street, close to Liverpool’s Dock Road, surrounded by local children.

He was playing Liverpool’s Odeon Theatre that evening.

Dylan was always drawn to the New Yorkian decay of Britain’s North-west cities like ‘The Pool’ and Manchester and did many publicity shoots on the streets.

There is also a tape circulating of him actually singing The Leaving Of Liverpool.

Later, when he was playing the Echo Arena in 2009 Bob joined a conducted tour of John Lennon’s childhood home, Mendips.

I don’t think Gerry and Bob ever actually met but (please tell me if you know different) but he mentioned him and played Ferry Cross the Mersey as he went Around The World in a 2008 edition of his Theme Time Radio show.. Bob also played Celia Cruz’s Africa, When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano by The Ink Spots and Whole Wide World by Wreckless Eric.

But an equally important recognition came in his sprawling Murder Most Foul last year when Gerry and his Pacemakers got another poetic mention:

Hush little children you’re gonna stand

The Beatles are coming they’re going to hold your hand

Slide down the Bannister go get your coat

Ferry cross the Mersey and go for the throat

There’s three bums coming all dressed in rags

Pick up the pieces and order the flags

Gerry Marsden was made an MBE in 2003 for services to charity after supporting victims of the Hillsborough disaster.

At the time, he said he was “over the moon” to have received the honour.

Probably his best-known record was his version of You’ll Never Walk Alone which became an anthem amongst Liverpool football fans.


#bobdylan #gerrymarsden #liverpool #johnlennon #pacemakers #
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Meghan Markle Plans Exclusive Women-Focused Retreat During Australia Visit
Starmer and Trump Hold Strategic Talks on Securing Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Unofficial Australia Visit by Prince Harry and Meghan Expected to Stir Tensions with Royal Circles
Pipeline Attack Cuts Significant Share of Saudi Arabia’s Oil Export Capacity
UK Stocks Rise on Ceasefire Momentum and Renewed Focus on Diplomacy
UK to Hold Further Strategic Talks on Strait of Hormuz Security
Starmer Voices Frustration as Global Tensions Drive Up UK Energy Costs
UK Students Voice Concern Over Proposal for Automatic Military Draft Registration
Rising Volatility Drives Uncertainty in UK Fuel and Petrol Prices
UK Moves to Deploy ‘Skyhammer’ Anti-Drone System to Strengthen Airspace Defense
New Analysis Explores UK Budget Mechanics in ‘Behind the Blue’ Feature
Man Arrested After Four Die in Channel Crossing Tragedy
UK Tightens Immigration Framework with New Sponsor Rules and Fee Increases
UK Foreign Secretary Highlights Impact of Intensified Strikes in Lebanon
UK Urges Inclusion of Lebanon in US-Iran Ceasefire Framework
UK Stocks Ease as Ceasefire Doubts in Middle East Weigh on Investor Confidence
UK Reassesses Cloud Strategy Amid Criticism Over Limited Support Measures
UK Calls for Full and Toll-Free Access Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Starmer Signals Strategic Shift for Britain Amid Escalating Iran-Linked Tensions
UK Issues Firm Warning to Russia Over Covert Underwater Military Activity
OpenAI Halts Stargate UK Project, Casting Uncertainty Over Britain’s AI Expansion Plans
Starmer Voices Frustration Over Global Pressures Driving UK Energy Costs Higher
UK Deploys Military Assets to Protect Undersea Cables From Suspected Russian Threat
Canada Aligns With US, UK and Australia as Europe Prepares Major Digital Border Overhaul
Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Appearance Sparks Fresh Speculation
Starmer Warns Sustained Effort Needed to Ensure US–Iran Ceasefire Holds
UK to Partner with Shipping Industry to Rebuild Confidence in Strait of Hormuz, Cooper Says
UK Interest Rate Expectations Ease Following US–Iran Ceasefire Agreement
Starmer Signals Major Effort Needed to Fully Reopen Strait of Hormuz During Gulf Visit
UK Fuel Prices Face Ongoing Volatility Amid Global Pressures and Domestic Factors
Kanye West’s Planned Italy Festival Appearance Draws Debate After UK Entry Ban
Smuggling Routes Shift Toward Belgium as Migrant Crossings to UK Evolve
Ceasefire Offers Potential Relief for UK Fuel and Food Prices Amid Ongoing Uncertainty
Iran Conflict Raises Questions Over UK’s Global Influence and Military Preparedness
Senator McConnell Visits Kentucky to Highlight Federal Investment in Local Projects
Kanye West Barred from Entering UK as Legal Grounds Come into Focus
UK Denies Visa to Kanye West After Sponsors Withdraw from Wireless Festival
Trump-Era Forest Service Restructuring Leads to Closure of UK Lab Focused on Kentucky Woodland Health
Foreign Students in the UK Describe Harsh Living Conditions and Financial Pressures
Reform UK Proposes Visa Restrictions on Nations Pursuing Reparations Claims
Public Reaction Divides Over UK Decision to Bar Kanye West
Calls Grow for UK to Review US Base Access Following Concerns Over Escalating Rhetoric
UK Indicates It Will Not Permit Use of Its Bases for Potential US Strikes on Iran’s Energy Infrastructure
UK Prime Minister Defends Decision to Bar Kanye West, Questions Festival Booking
UK Accelerates Efforts to Harmonise Medical Technology Rules with United States
Wireless Festival Cancelled After Kanye West Denied Entry to the United Kingdom
Australia’s most decorated living soldier was arrested at Sydney Airport and charged with five counts of war-crime murder for the killing of unarmed Afghan civilians
The CIA’s Secret Technology That Can Find You by Your Heartbeat Successfully Locates Downed Airman
Operation Europe: Trump Deploys Vance to Hungary to Save the EU
King Charles Faces Criticism From Some UK Christians Over Absence of Easter Message
×