By: KDKA-TV News Staff
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Founding member of historic doo-wop group The Marcels, Fred Johnson, has died.
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Johnson died surrounded by family and friends on March 31, according to his publicist.
Johnson formed the band here in Pittsburgh in 1959 along with Cornelius Harp, Gene Bricker, Ron Mundy and Richard Knauss.
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61 years ago, on April 3, 1961, the group released the song “Blue Moon,” which surpassed Elvis’ “Surrender” to the top of the Billboard charts.
Since its release, the song has received several awards, including induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame’s 500 Songs That Shaped Rock And Roll.
Johnson is survived by his sister, seven children, several grandchildren and one great-grandson.
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He was 80 years old.
https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2022/04/03/fred-johnson-of-the-marcels-dies/ Marcels founding member Fred Johnson dies at 80 – CBS Pittsburgh
