05/09/2025
Mark Volman, the singer and guitarist who co-founded The Turtles and sang on their 1967 hippie anthem “Happy Together,” has died. He was 78. The Californian singer was also known as one half of the comedy rock duo Flo & Eddie.
Volman was born in Los Angeles on April 19, 1947. He grew up in the suburb of Westchester, where he met New York-born Howard Kaylan in early 1963. Volman joined Kaylan's instrumental surf rock band the Nightriders, shortly before the group changed their name to the Crossfires.The band signed their first record deal and released a single, “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde”, before renaming themselves The Tyrtles. The name was a homage to The Byrds and The Beatles as they pursued a more folk rock-influenced sound. They had changed their name again, to The Turtles, before having their first Top 10 hit in 1965 with a cover of Bob Dylan's “It Ain’t Me Babe.” The breakthrough hit provided the title for their debut album, released in October 1965. This was followed by a second album, 1966’s You Baby, which failed to chart. However, 1967 single “Happy Together” went to number one, becoming the band’s signature hit and an anthem of the Summer of Love.