LIVERPOOL legend Gerry Marsden is returning to Eastleigh just weeks after he was one of the main mourners at the funeral of former fellow Cavern star Cilla Black.

It was more than 50 years ago that Gerry & The Pacemakers were signed by pop mogul Brian Epstein as his second group to The Beatles.

The Pacemakers’ personnel might have changed over the years but Gerry is still going strong on the sixties revival circuit.

Although he is about to celebrate his 73rd birthday he has no intention of hanging up his guitar and says: “I love what I do. If I retired I do not know what I would do.

“I fish and golf but that would not give me the buzz or the joy that I get from walking on stage.”

On September 17 Gerry & The Pacemakers will be headlining at Eastleigh’s Concorde Club where last time they were an instant hit with fans singing and dancing in the aisles. Gerry will be showcasing the hits which soared into the charts and turned him into a household name.

The back catalogue will include How Do You Do It, Ferry Cross the Mersey, I Like It and Don’t Let The Sun Catch Me Crying.

And You’ll Never Walk Alone, which was adopted by Liverpool’s Kop as its football anthem, will be the cue for mass arm swaying.

Gerry, who has fond memories of Cilla Black, always knew she would make it and become a big star.

He vividly remembers her first performances at Liverpool’s famous Cavern Club where she worked as a cloakroom girl before finding fame.

Gerry recalled: “When we had a little break between sets she would come into the dressing room and say ‘can I get up and sing?’”

Any opportunity she could get she would be up on stage performing her favourite track, Fever.

Gerry praised her as both a great entertainer and personality, who was his wife’s best friend.

After being signed by Brian Epstein, Cilla toured with Gerry & The Pacemakers. Her first acting role was in Gerry’s film, Ferry Cross The Mersey.

And he still mourns another close pal from those Cavern days, Beatle John Lennon.

Gerry said: “John was my best friend for many years. We met when we were 15 and played in The Cavern.”

It’s 35 years ago that Lennon was gunned down outside his luxury Dakota building opposite New York’s Central Park. But the pain of losing such a close friend does not go away. Gerry & The Pacemakers’ first hit, How Do You Do It had originally been part of The Beatles’ portfolio but Lennon said: “Give it to Gerry.”

And it was to put the lad from Toxteth and his Pacemakers on the road to stardom.

It is something Gerry has never forgotten and he makes a point of mentioning in his act.

As he introduces the chart topper he says: “I thank John every night and I will see him in heaven.”

Gerry Across The Mersey with Gerry & The Pacemakers, on September 17 at The Concorde, Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh. Contact: 02380613989 or www.the concordeclub.com