Gerry and the Pacemakers, were a British beat group prominent in the 1960s Merseybeat scene. In common with the Beatles, they came from Liverpool, were managed by Brian Epstein, and were recorded by George Martin. Their early successes alongside the Beatles were instrumental in popularizing the Merseybeat sound and launching the wider British beat boom of the mid-1960s.
The Fourmost are an English Merseybeat band that recorded in the 1960s. Their biggest UK hit single was "A Little Loving" in 1964.
Gerard Marsden MBE was an English singer-songwriter, musician and television personality, best known for being leader of the Merseybeat band Gerry and the Pacemakers. He was the younger brother of fellow band member Freddie Marsden.
The Black Knights were a Merseybeat three-piece band formed in Liverpool in the early 1960s. Their lead singer and rhythm guitarist was Ken Griffiths, the bassist and backing vocalist was Bill Kenny, and the drummer was initially Taffy Jones, who left to join The Tempos and later Allan Schroeder, formerly of Cliff Roberts & the Rockers.
"Ferry Cross the Mersey" is a song written by Gerry Marsden. It was first recorded by his band Gerry and the Pacemakers and released in late 1964 in the UK and in 1965 in the United States. It was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, reaching number six in the United States and number eight in the UK. The song is from the film of the same name and was released on its soundtrack album. In the mid-1990s, a musical theatre production, also titled Ferry Cross the Mersey, related Gerry Marsden's Merseybeat days; it premiered in Liverpool and played in the UK, Australia, and Canada.
The Remo Four were a 1950s–1960s rock band from Liverpool, England. They were contemporaries of The Beatles, and later had the same manager, Brian Epstein. Its members were Colin Manley, Phil Rogers, Don Andrew, and Roy Dyke (drums). Andrew and Manley were in the same class at school as Paul McCartney.
Produced by George Martin is a 2001 various artists compilation box set of tracks produced by Sir George Martin. It is also the title of a documentary film on George Martin co-produced by the BBC's Arena team and released in 2012 by Eagle Rock Entertainment on DVD and Blu-ray.
Liverpool has a lengthy tradition of music both classical and pop. It is well known for the Beatles. Its pop and rock music scene has also been important in the development of a number of other bands and artists since the 1950s.
Ferry Cross the Mersey is the soundtrack for the 1965 film of the same title, starring Gerry and the Pacemakers, who recorded the titular song. Both the UK and US editions feature music by the Pacemakers, although other artists featured include the George Martin Orchestra, Cilla Black, the Fourmost, the Black Knights, Earl Royce and the Olympics, and the Blackwells.
"A Shot of Rhythm and Blues" is a song written by Terry Thompson and first recorded by US soul singer Arthur Alexander. It was originally released in the United States in 1961 and in the United Kingdom the following year, as the B-side of "You Better Move On".
The Koobas were an English beat group from Liverpool. Their music, and their early history, is similar in some ways to that of fellow Liverpudlians The Beatles, though they never achieved widespread popularity.
Work Is a Four-Letter Word is a 1968 British satirical comedy film directed by Peter Hall and starring David Warner and Cilla Black, in her only acting role in a cinematic film. The film was not well received by critics even though it was based on the award-winning play Eh? It also marked the acting debut of Elizabeth Spriggs.
Leslie Charles Maguire was an English musician and retired who was a principal member of the Merseybeat band Gerry and the Pacemakers from 1961 to 1966.
Beryl Marsden is a British R&B and pop singer, who first came to notice on the Liverpool club scene of the early 1960s. She recorded a number of "powerful and soulful", but unsuccessful, records, and has been described as "undeservedly neglected".
Is It Love? is Cilla Black's 1965 first US album. Originally the ballad "Is It Love?", written by her manager and future husband, Bobby Willis, was recorded for the Ferry Cross the Mersey LP and film of the same name. Instead, it became the title track of her first and only album for Capitol Records.
Faron's Flamingos were an English Merseybeat band. Despite their lack of commercial success, they remain an important part of Merseybeat history and have the distinction of being the first major example of the "Mersey Motown" sound with their release of "Do You Love Me".
Midas Man is an upcoming British biographical film about the life of music entrepreneur Brian Epstein, who managed The Beatles. Based on a story and screenplay by Brigit Grant, the film is directed by Joe Stephenson, previous directors Sara Sugarman and Jonas Åkerlund having moved on from the project. After starting filming in October 2021, there were various hold-ups until it resumed in 2023, finishing in June.
William Henry "Billy" Hatton was the bass guitarist for The Fourmost.
