Gerry and the Pacemakers with "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)" (Laurie 3271) with some success. By late 1965, their popularity was rapidly declining on both sides of the Atlantic. They disbanded in October 1966, with much of their latter recorded material never released in the UK. Gerry Marsden became a popular cabaret and children's TV entertainer. He reformed the Pacemakers in 1972 with prominent Liverpool musicians Jose McLaughlin, Billy Kinsley and Pete Clarke. This second version of the group, as well as touring internationally, became the only 'Merseybeat' band to ever record for "The John Peel Show" on BBC Radio 1in April 1973. The tracks
Gerry and the Pacemakers famous songs, "Ferry Cross the Mersey", refers to the River Mersey that flows past Liverpool. Gerry Marsden formed the group in 1959 with his brother Fred, Les Chadwick, and Arthur McMahon. They rivalled the Beatles early in their career, playing in the same areas of Hamburg, Germany and Liverpool. McMahon (known as Arthur Mack) was replaced on piano by Les Maguire around 1961. They are known to have rehearsed at Cammell Laird shipping yard at Birkenhead. The group's original name was Gerry Marsden and the Mars Bars, but they were forced to change this when the Mars Company, producers of