The opening was a short film about the 1960s, set to ‘Green Onions’ by Booker T. and the MGs. As it ended, Murphy and his band tore into ‘I Like It’ and ‘How Do You Do It?’, two of Marsden’s three consecutive number-one singles. Murphy then told an anecdote about playing with Marsden on the famous Mersey Ferry. Naturally, ‘Ferry Cross the Mersey’ followed, which segued into ‘Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying’. With one exception, that was Marsden’s songbook done and the show had barely got going.
Murphy then played ‘Johnny B. Goode’ and really upped the tempo of his guitar playing. I was beginning to see that his reputation as one of the UK’s finest guitarists was well deserved. From the enviable twangle of guitars at his disposal, Murphy picked up a beautiful white Burns and proceeded to play The Shadows’ ‘Apache’ and ‘Wonderful Land’.
His band consisted of Robbie Shirley (guitar and vocals), Glyn Williams (keyboards), Brian Murphy (drums), Jade Thunder (guitar and vocals), and Mal (sorry, didn’t catch your surname) on bass. Before playing ‘Hippy Hippy Shake’, Murphy announced that Ray Ennis, lead singer of The Swinging Blue Jeans, was in the house. The format of the show was then set: some preamble, then a song accompanied by a slideshow featuring the band who originally performed it. Rinse and repeat.
The night’s highlight arrived in the form of Merseybeats lead singer Tony Crane, who ran through their biggest hits, ‘Don’t Turn Around’, ‘I Think of You’ and ‘Sorrow’. The band left the stage, leaving Murphy to play both parts of ‘Duelling Banjos’ himself. His technique was hugely impressive.
Jade Thunder returned to the stage to sing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, accompanied by Murphy. Thunder also took lead vocals on ‘Proud Mary’, ‘You’re My World’, ‘River Deep Mountain High’, and Dusty Springfield’s ‘Son of a Preacher Man' which, for me, was her best performance of the night.
The band finished the first half with ‘Bus Stop’, The Beatles’ ‘Get Back’, and the aforementioned ‘Proud Mary’. The second half opened with Cliff Richard’s ‘Move It’ and another Hollies song, ‘Just One Look’. The audience, most of whom were old enough to have been at the Cavern in its heyday, sang along with gusto to The Monkees’ ‘Daydream Believe’.
The band’s highlight was a great version of The Rolling Stones’ ‘Honky Tonk Women’. Robbie Shirley took over lead vocals for ‘Blackberry’ and ‘Pinball Wizard’. ‘It’s Only Make Believe’, ‘Suspicious Minds’, and ‘Spirit in the Sky’ further enhanced the set.
Tony Crane returned to the stage to sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, Marsden’s other number one, which earned a standing ovation from the audience. The band encored with The Beatles’ ‘Golden Slumbers’, ‘Carry That Weight and ‘The End’.
This wasn’t The Gerry Marsden Story; rather, it was a lively, nostalgic trip through the greatest hits of the 1960s, filled with familiar guitar riffs, upbeat rhythms, and crowd-pleasing singalongs. The atmosphere was fun and relaxed, with a touch of charm that made it feel authentic and down-to-earth.
Reviewer – Adrian Cork
On – 12.10.2025
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