The Marcels The Marcels were an American doo-wop group from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, formed in 1959 by Black and Italian-American teens, known for their rock ‘n’ roll doo-wop covers. Core members included Cornell “Herb” Gunter (lead tenor), Ronald “Bingo” Mundy (tenor), Gene Bricker (tenor), Richard Knauss (baritone), and Fred “Fred Johnson” Johnson (bass, who created the famous “bomp ba bomp bomp bomp” intro). Signed to Colpix Records, their breakthrough was a 1961 doo-wop reinvention of “Blue Moon” (Rodgers & Hart standard), reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and bumping Elvis from the top. It sold millions with its energetic bass line and harmonies. Follow-ups like “Heartaches” (Top 10) and “My Melancholy Baby” charted modestly. The group disbanded in the mid-1960s amid lineup changes. Most originals have passed: Fred Johnson (founder/bass) died March 31, 2022, at 80; Ronald Mundy in 2017; others earlier. As of 2026, no active original lineup tours; legacy tied to “Blue Moon” as a doo-wop classic on oldies radio and compilations. Inducted into halls like the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, they exemplify early 1960s creative doo-wop reinterpretations.