Gerry Marsden's death is confirmed by his friend, journalist Pete Price, on Twitter.
"It is with a very heavy heart that I must inform you that the legendary Gerry Marsden has passed away after a short illness," he writes.
Marsden, who ironically had a pacemaker last year, died of a heart infection.
Sang "You'll never walk alone"
Gerry and the Pacemakers were, like The Beatles, a British pop group from Liverpool who also shared manager (Brian Epstein) and producer (George Martin) with their even better known colleagues.
They achieved success early in their careers, and got England sets with the singles "How do you do it", "I like it" and "You'll never walk alone" in 1963.
The group is especially known for the latter, a cover of a track from the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical "Carousel" which since its release has become synonymous with the football club Liverpool FC.
Even today, all of the team's home games begin with Gerry and the Pacemakers' recording of the song.
The group never reached the same commercial heights after that, and split in 1967, after which Marsden revived it in the 70's with new band members.
Paul McCartney: "Our biggest rivals"
Beatles member Paul McCartney remembers Marsden as both a friend and rival from the years on the Liverpool stages.
“He and his group were our biggest local rivals.
His unforgettable performances of 'You'll never walk alone' and 'Ferry cross the Mersey' remain in the hearts of many as reminders of a joyous time in British music history.
My sympathies go out to his wife Pauline and family.
See you, Gerry.
I will always remember you with a smile ", he writes on Twitter.