The Turtles Co-Founder Mark Volman Passes At 78

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Mark Volman, a founding member of the 1960’s pop group The Turtles, passed away in Nashville on Friday (Sept. 5) after a brief illness. He was 78.

Best known for their chart-topping evergreen smash “Happy Together,” the Turtles also released songs like “She’d Rather Be with Me,” “You Know What I Mean,” “She’s My Girl” and “Elenore” throughout their career. The group disbanded in 1970 but Volman and friend/co-founder Howard Kaylan continued to tour and record as the comedic duo Flo & Eddie. The duo toured with Alice Cooper, offered vocals on T. Rex’s album Electric Warrior, and were recruited to sing on Bruce Springsteen’s “Hungry Heart,” according to the L.A. Times.

Mark Volman (middle) is recognized at Belmont University in 2019

In his 40’s Volman graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a masters in screenwriting and in 2018 was on the faculty of Belmont University’s music business department, but two years later learned he had Lewy body dementia, according to People. He nevertheless went on to release his memoir Happy Forever: My Musical Adventures with the Turtles, Frank Zappa, T. Rex, Flo & Eddie, and More” in 2023, and returned to the road on a music festival tour that same year.

He is survived by his daughters Sarina Marie and Hallie Rae Volman and his brother, Phil Volman.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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