Last original Pacemaker, Wallasey-born Les Maguire, has died aged 81

Born on December 27, 1941 in Wallasey, Les, was best known as the keyboardist for Merseybeat band Gerry and the Pacemakers who he joined in 1961.

After the Pacemaker split in 1967, Les would go on to play in clubs and bars around ­Merseyside with Ian and the Zodiacs.

Fellow Zodiacs band member, Neil Lancaster, from Widnes, spoke to the Globe about Les, who he said was "like a father figure" to him.

The Zodiacs 2001-2016 Neil Lancaster, Carl Hardin, Colin Fabb (deceased) and Les Maguire (deceased) (Image: Neil Lancaster)

He said: "I've known Les for 25 years. He was performing with The Zodiacs when we met.

"They were looking for a singer and auditioned me and we were then stuck together for nearly 15 years.

"We were very fortunate as we played some great venues. We played at The Cavern a couple of times, we also played The Empire and the Liverpool and Everton grounds."

After the deaths of the original Pacemakers drummer Freddie Marsden in 2006, Chadwick in 2019 and Gerry Marsden in 2021, Les was the last surviving member of the band.

Merseycats charity, Christmas 2003. L-R Neil Lancaster - Colin Fabb - Les Maguire (Image: Neil Lancaster)

He sadly died on Saturday, November 25 at Aintree Hospital following a short illness and was surrounded by family.

Remembering Les, Neil described him as a "very kind and helpful gentleman who had a passion for music".

The 58-year-old added: "He loved all kinds of music but really loved Elton John and Billy Joel because they were piano players like him.

"He loved classical music and he was one of Liverpool's unknown favourite sons because he played the piano in You'll Never Walk Alone so it's going to be very emotional listening to that now.

"Les was an Evertonian so we always used to joke about that."

While touring in Germany, Les met his wife Brigitte and they went on to have two daughters and the family settled in Formby.

Brigitte sadly died in 2012 to cancer.

For the past 10 years, Les had spent his time with Irene Heyes and Neil explained that the couple "loved boat trips, adventures and walking and cycling together" in Turkey.

Les and Neil on holiday in Fethyie in Turkey (Image: Neil Lancaster)

He said: "They were always doing something and he loved to get out.

"He was like a father figure to me, sometimes like a brother, but in recent years I suppose the roles slightly reversed between us.

"I will miss his friendship and his wonderful musicianship."

After signing to EMI Records In 1963, and being managed by Brian Epstein, Gerry and the Pacemakers achieved immediate success in the British chart and later in the United States.

Gerry Marsden leaping over his supporting Pacemakers, including Les Maguire, far right (Image: PA)

They were the first group to hit number one in the British charts with their first three singles, starting with How Do You Do It?

The band would go on to have many more hits, including I Like It, You'll Never Walk Alone and Ferry Cross the Mersey.