Introduction to Mark Volman
Mark Volman, a founding member of the 1960s rock band The Turtles and singer of the duo Flo & Eddie, passed away on Friday after a short, sudden illness in Nashville. He was 78 years old.
Early Life and Career
Volman was born in Los Angeles in 1947 and began playing and performing music at a young age. After graduating from Westchester High School in 1965, he co-founded The Turtles with Howard Kaylan, along with lead guitarist Al Nichol, rhythm guitarist Jim Tucker, bass player Chuck Portz, and drummer Don Murray. The band released popular hits like "It Ain’t Me Babe," "Elenore," and the No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 track "Happy Together," on which Volman sang harmony.
Flo & Eddie and Beyond
The Turtles dissolved in 1970, leading Volman and Kaylan to form the duo Flo & Eddie. As a musical duo, they toured with Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention and created background tracks for various artists, including T. Rex and Bruce Springsteen. They also composed music for television, particularly the children’s series "Strawberry Shortcake."
Education and Teaching
In his late 40s, Volman returned to school to complete his Bachelor’s degree at Loyola Marymount University, graduating in 1997. He then earned an MFA in 1999 and went on to teach music business courses at the college level, most consistently at Belmont University in Nashville.
Later Life and Legacy
Volman was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2020 but continued to perform in the early stages of his illness. In 2023, he revealed his diagnosis and published his memoir, "Happy Forever: My Musical Adventures With The Turtles, Frank Zappa, T. Rex, Flo & Eddie and more." Volman is survived by his partner Emily Volman, ex-wife Pat Volman, daughters Hallie Volman and Sarina Miller, and brother Phil Volman.
