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The Merseybeat live - Gerry and the Pacemakers in Concert (Australia:1994)Feb 04 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Gerry and co are Merseybeat pioneers who specialize in giving the audience what they came for - ie. hits from an era when British beat groups dominated the airwaves.
I have had the privilege of seeing legendary Merseybeat pioneers Gerry and the Pacemakers in concert on three separate occasions. The concert that is the main focus of this review, however, is a performance by the group at the Twin Towns auditorium on the Queensland and New South Wales border, Australia, on 19 February 1994. By way of background, Gerry and the Pacemakers, had their heyday in the mid 60’s and were part of the so-called “British Invasion”. Like the Beatles, Brian Epstein originally managed them and to their credit the group’s first three releases all hit #1 in the UK. This was the first time that this had ever been achieved and from memory a record that took some 15 years to equal. Some of their well-known hits include “How Do You Do it”(1963: US #9; UK #1), “I Like it” (1963: US #17; UK #1), You’ll Never Walk Alone” (1963: UK #1), “Ferry Across the Mersey” (1964: US#6; UK#8) and “Don’t Let the Sun Catch you Crying” (1964 US#4; UK#6). In terms of more recent history, re-recordings of their inspirational classics “You’ll Never Walk Alone” are “Ferry Across the Mersey” hit the top spot on the UK charts in the 1980’s. The 1990’s and current incarnation of the group still features original member Gerry Marsden on lead, the Pacemakers, however, are all new comers. Fortunately, Gerry’s continued presence has ensured that their classic sound has remained unaffected by the change in personnel. Also of significance is the fact that Gerry’s natural vocal abilities including his high register have not been noticeably withered by the passage of time. His enthusiasm for live performing has also stayed with him. The best part of attending a Gerry and the Pacemakers concert is that Gerry and co make every effort to ensure that the audience has a good time and is not disappointed. For example, the group always sing their hits and most importantly they are done with enthusiasm and commitment. Gerry also relates well on a personal level with his audience. His comments between songs are often humorous and there is a penchant towards English seaside humor when the opportunity arises. The 1994 concert that I attended contained two particular highlights that I will always remember. Of interest both arose from unexpected curve balls that if thrown at a less professional outfit could have been quite embarrassing. The first started with a request for one of their minor hits in the US and UK but which was a big hit here in Australia. The number in question was the old Bobby Darin standard “I’ll be There”. Someone from the audience shouted out the request and then numerous others followed suit. The problem for the band was that they had not rehearsed the number and there was more than a look of concern by the Pacemakers when Gerry casually informed us that he would happily sing the number. Gerry then picked up his guitar, told the Pacemakers to have a break (to their obvious relief) and sang the song alone with only his own accompaniment. Despite the odd stumble, it was a terrific performance characterized by outstanding vocalizing. The second curve ball that faced the group was that “You’ll Never Walk Alone” was sang about three quarters through the concert and was an absolute showstopper. Unfortunately (or fortunately as it turned out), there was a large contingent of Liverpool Football Club fans in the audience (for the uninitiated the song is their club anthem) who brought scarves, sang along and went wild when Gerry broke into the number. Not to be left out, and buoyed by their enthusiasm, the rest of the 3000 strong in attendance also joined in. Nothing seems to get an Australian audience going like a group sing-a-long and by the end of the number the group faced a never-ending standing ovation accompanied with shouts to sing the number again. Gerry of course complied and happily did another chorus. He then faced the difficult problem, however, of how to keep the momentum for the rest of the set. His unique solution, to the audience’s obvious delight and amusement, was to end every number thereafter (about ten in total) with a rollicking chorus of “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. The audience sang along with unbridled enthusiasm on every repeat chorus. In short this was a most enjoyable concert and was well worth the quite modest price of admission. Gerry and the Pacemakers are consummate professionals that know what their audience want to hear and go out of their way to accommodate them. As mentioned above, I have been to a number of other Gerry and the Pacemakers concerts and though the subject concert was my favorite, I have never once been disappointed or not had a great time. An added bonus on every occasion was that Gerry stayed around after the show to sign autographs and meet the fans.  |
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