A Night to Remember: Merseybeat Legends Premiere & Gerry Marsden’s Final Recording Launch at The Cavern Club
Yesterday evening, Liverpool’s iconic Cavern Club played host to an emotional and historic night as the Merseybeat Legends documentary and live concert premiere was unveiled to a specially invited audience. The event, celebrating the golden era of Merseybeat and its enduring legacy, was met with warmth, nostalgia, and more than a few tears — not least for the unveiling of the brand-new single and final-ever recording by the late, great Gerry Marsden.
The film, featuring a live concert recorded at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, brought together original Merseybeat stars with members of the Philharmonic Orchestra, delivering powerful and moving new arrangements of some of the genre’s most beloved songs. The live show — captured on film by organiser, producer and Cavern resident musician Gary Murphy was presented last night for the first time.
Among the star-studded crowd were some of the very names who helped shape the sound of a generation. Ricky Tomlinson, Billy Butler, Billy Kinsley, Brian Jones, Beryl Marsden and Tony Crane were among those in attendance, adding their support to a project that honours their contributions and those of their peers.
A highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the emotional unveiling of Gerry Marsden’s final recording On Merseyside (The Pool of Life), written and produced by Gary Murphy — a beautiful new track that marks the end of an era while reaffirming the connection that Gerry had to the city of Liverpool throughout his life. Gerry’s wife Pauline and daughter Yvette (pictured) joined the celebrations, as the audience sang and applauded the moving performances.
The premiere marks the start of a wider release for the documentary produced by Colin McKeown’s LA Productions and is due to be released later this spring. The concert film and documentary is expected to strike a chord not just with Merseybeat fans, but with music lovers around the world. For those lucky enough to attend last night’s launch, it was more than just a premiere — it was a tribute, a celebration, and a reminder of the powerful role music plays in shaping our cultural identity.
As the credits rolled and the final echoes of Merseybeat rang out beneath the brick arches of the Cavern, one thing was clear: the legacy of Liverpool’s music scene is in safe hands — and its heartbeat still sounds as strong as ever.
The Live Album and Studio Album of The Merseybeat Legends is available now to purchase from Lastnightfromglasgow.com
Catch highlights from the evening here: