As a teenager in Salt Lake City, UT, vocalist Joe Brklacich fronted The Enchanters who enjoyed the double-sided hit “So Much” / “You Worry Me" both peaking at #1 on Utah’s KNAK and KMUR respectively in March of 1959 on their own Vargo Records label. While appearing as the house band for the weekly TV show Utah Bandstand, The Enchanters rubbed elbows with such guests as Bobby Darrin, Conway Twitty and Ella Fitzgerald. But when pianist David Bonham left on a Mormon mission, the group split up in 1960.
In 1962, Brklacich formed a new group that included Enchanters drummer Gordon McBride and two friends, guitarist Ed Casias and bassist Richard Peterson. Peterson was studying German at the time and thought it clever to name themselves the Marc Four - a reference to the German Mark but spelled with a “c”. But for the next few years, promoters often misspelled their name as the Mark Four or Mark IV. Soon after the first lineup began performing, Casias left to play with the Norad Command Band and Gordon left for college.
The Marc-Four in early 1962. L-R: Joe Brklacich (Vocals), Ed Casias (Guitar), Unknown Musician (Bass), Gordon McBride (Drums)
The Marc-Four in 1963. L-R: Richard Peterson (Bass), Joe Brklacich (Vocals), Gordon McBride (Drums), Ed Casias (Guitar)
In late 1963, Mastersounds drummer Duncan Branom had recently moved from Seattle to take advantage of Utah's leniency at checking ID that enabled the 18 year-old to play the clubs. Brklacich asked Branom to join the Marc Four along with pianist Vic Whilley.