Thursday's Top Tune Throwback: Gerry & The Pacemakers 'Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying'

Released in April 1964, “Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying” was the Pacemakers’ first and biggest U.S. hit. The song was written by the brothers Gerry and Freddie Marsden along with Les Chadwick and Les Maguire.

Gerry & the Pacemakers accomplished a feat in the UK that would not be equaled for 20 years when their first three singles all went to Number 1. These classics included “How Do You Do It,” “I Like It” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
The Liverpool-based band was very active between 1959 and 1966. They would reform in 1974. Originally named “Gerry Marsden and the Mars Bars,” the group would rise to hall of fame status. In February 1964, they almost had a fourth consecutive number one single when “I’m The One” topped out in the place position, getting edged out by The Searchers’ “Needles and Pins.”
My personal favorite song by the group is “Ferry Cross the Mersey,” which references the river Mersey in Liverpool. Returning to our featured song this week, it was produced by George Martin of Beatles fame. And speaking of the Beatles, Gerry & The Pacemakers was the second band signed by Brian Epstein. On May 3, 1964, the band performed on The Ed Sullivan Show singing “Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying,” which landed at #4 on the Billboard charts.
Gerry continues to perform today at age 75!

Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.