The music industry is mourning the profound loss of one of its most distinctive voices and personalities, Mark "Flo" Volman, who has died at the age of 76. The news was confirmed by his family, who revealed he passed away peacefully on Friday, 6th September, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Volman was a founding member and co-lead singer of the legendary 1960s psychedelic pop band The Turtles. Alongside his lifelong musical partner Howard Kaylan, he was the voice behind one of the decade's most iconic anthems, the chart-topping mega-hit 'Happy Together'.
From Surf Rock to Psychedelic Pop Stars
The band's journey began in Los Angeles as a surf rock group called The Crossfires before they evolved into The Turtles and found monumental success. Their harmony-rich, sunshine-soaked sound defined an era, with hits like 'She'd Rather Be With Me' and 'Elenore' cementing their place in music history.
A Creative Partnership with Frank Zappa
After The Turtles disbanded, Volman and Kaylan embarked on a remarkable new chapter. Due to complex legal issues preventing them from using their own band name, they famously joined Frank Zappa's The Mothers of Invention under the pseudonyms The Phlorescent Leech & Eddie (Flo & Eddie).
This period saw them contribute their unique vocal talents and outrageous humour to classic Zappa albums like 'Chunga's Revenge' and 'Fillmore East - June 1971', becoming integral to his live performances and recordings throughout the early 1970s.
A Legacy of Music and Laughter
Beyond performance, Volman was a respected educator, sharing his vast knowledge of the music industry as a professor at Belmont University in Nashville. His legacy is not just one of timeless music, but also of immense humour and joy, which he brought to every stage and studio he graced.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Judith, his son Ryan, and daughter Sara. Tributes from across the music world have poured in, honouring a man whose voice and spirit provided the soundtrack to a generation and whose influence will continue to resonate for decades to come.
