Les Maguire

Leslie Charles Maguire (born 27 December 1941) is an English retired musician who was a principal member of the Merseybeat band Gerry and the Pacemakers from 1961 to 1966.[1]

Les Maguire
Maguire (2nd right) with Les Chadwick, Freddie Marsden and Gerry Marsden.
Maguire (2nd right) with Les Chadwick, Freddie Marsden and Gerry Marsden.
Background information
Birth nameLeslie Charles Maguire
Born (1941-12-27) 27 December 1941
Wallasey, Merseyside, England
OriginLiverpool
GenresMerseybeat, pop, rock and roll
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)
  • Piano
  • saxophone
  • vocals
Years active1961–1970
Formerly of

Since the death of Gerry Marsden in 2021, he has been the last surviving member of the group’s classic lineup.

Early life

Maguire was born in Wallasey, Merseyside, and started his career playing tenor saxophone in a Liverpool pop group called the Vegas Five, which would eventually evolve into The Undertakers.

Gerry and the Pacemakers

Early Years (1961–1963)

In 1961, Maguire joined Gerry and the Pacemakers, replacing the group's original pianist, Arthur MacMahon.

On 19 October 1961, the Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers merged to become the 'Beatmakers' for a one-off performance in Litherland Town Hall. The line-up comprised Gerry Marsden, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Les Chadwick, Pete Best, Freddy Marsden, plus vocalist Karl Terry from the Cruisers with Maguire on saxophone.[2]

International Success (1963–1966)

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. 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?".[3]

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

The Pacemakers appeared in the 1964 filmed event T.A.M.I. Show, and starred in a film of their own, titled Ferry Cross the Mersey.

Maguire remained with the group until it faded from the public eye towards the end of the 1960s.

Post-Pacemaker career

He briefly fronted the Mississippi blues band Hog Owl in 1970, and teamed up with the Pacemakers for occasional reunion performances.[4] He also in the late 90's for a number years teamed up with Ian Edwards (Ian and the Zodiacs) the band at this time consisted of Les Maguire keyboards/backing vocals, Ian Edward lead vocals/guitar, Barry Walmsley lead guitar, Colin Fabb Bass backing vocals and Carl Hardin drums.

Personal life

Shortly after the Pacemakers split, he and former band member Les Chadwick bought and worked a garage. Soon after, Maguire served in the Navy including active service in the Falklands in 1982.[5] He lives in Liverpool.

In 2016, Maguire was searching through his loft when he found a 10-inch 78rpm vinyl recording of The Beatles performing “Till There Was You” and “Hello Little Girl”.[6] It was given to him by Brian Epstein, after being given back to Brian by George Martin.[6]

Following the deaths of Freddie Marsden in 2006, Les Chadwick in 2019, and Gerry Marsden in 2021, Maguire is the last surviving member of the 1960s Pacemakers lineup. Les appeared on a 2022 episode of Antiques Roadshow.

Discography

Studio albums
  • How Do You Like It? (1963)
  • Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying (1964)
  • Gerry and the Pacemakers' Second Album (1964)
  • Gerry’s Second Album (1965)
  • I’ll Be There (1965)
  • Girl On A Swing (1966)
  • Gerry and the Pacemakers... Today! (1967)

Singles
Title

(A-side, B-side)

 Year Peak chart positions
UK AUS CAN US
"How Do You Do It?"

b/w "Away from You"

 1963 1 3 — 9
"I Like It"

b/w "It's Happened to Me"

 1 6 — 17
"You'll Never Walk Alone"

b/w "It's All Right"

 1 1 — —
"I'm the One"

b/w "You've Got What I Like"

 1964 2 14 1 82
"Walk Hand in Hand"

b/w "Dreams"

 1965 29 32 10 103
"La La La"

b/w "Without You"

 1966 — 66 4 90
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Filmography

References
  1. "Gerry And The Pacemakers". 45-rpm.org.uk. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  2. Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 99. CN 5585.
  3. Gerry And The Pacemakers star Gerry Marsden dies, retrieved 19 February 2023
  5. Fricke, David (11 September 1986). "Gerry and the Pacemakers: Where Are They Now?". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  6. brown, andrew (26 February 2016). "'Holy Grail' of Beatles' memorabilia found in a loft to be auctioned". mirror. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
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