Gerry Marsden's last song on new Merseybeat album

Gerry Marsden was best known as part of the band Gerry and the Pacemakers

A new studio album filled with music from icons of the 60s Merseybeat scene features the last song ever recorded by Gerry Marsden.

'Original 60s Merseybeat Legends' was launched by singer-songwriter and producer Gary Murphy at Liverpool's Cavern Club on Thursday.

The album includes re-recordings of iconic Merseybeat hits, and The Pool of Life, the last song recorded by the Gerry And The Pacemakers front man most famous for Ferry Cross The Mersey.

The album has been described as a "breath-taking tribute to the golden age of Liverpool's music scene".

Murphy told BBC Radio Merseyside: "It was coming up to the 60th anniversary of the 60s and I wanted to commemorate the decade as it was such a special time.

"Everything was changing; but the music was at the forefront of everything."

Tony Crane (L) from the Merseybeats, joined Gary Murphy (R) on the album

Murphy said all the singers involved still sing "like they're 18".

"It's been so much fun, and brought me so much joy.

"And 60 years on the guys are singing like they are 18-years-old, and they have the exact same enthusiasm for the music."

The Pool of Life, which features the voice of Marsden, was recorded before he died, in January 2021.

"When I first wrote the song and played it to Gerry, he loved it, and did a fabulous job of recording it [in the studio].

"We didn't know at the time it would be his last time, but it's a beautiful way to remember Gerry."

Tony Crane, best known as the co-founder of the band The Merseybeats, is also on the album.

"[The recording] has been fabulous", said Tony.

"When Gary first asked me to do it I jumped on board right away.

"He said he had some problems getting people to agree to do it, so [Gary] asked me to ring them up and assure them it'd be okay.

"Everything went fabulously well, and it was marvellous."