Singer and co-founder of The Turtles Mark Volman has sadly passed away at the age of 78 following a “brief, unexpected illness”, his representative confirmed. Best known for their 1967 single Happy Together, Mark’s death came as a shock on September 5. Despite being diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in 2020, he continued to tour and only publicly revealed his diagnosis in 2023.
Speaking to People magazine at the time, he said: “I got hit by the knowledge that this was going to create a whole new part of my life. And I said, ‘Okay, whatever’s going to happen will happen, but I’ll go as far as I can.'”The challenges of this world affect everybody, and it’s been kind of fun being on the other side of a challenge like this and saying, ‘I feel good. ‘ My friends are here. I’m still here. And I want people to connect with me.”
Mark began his career in high school in 1963 when he joined classmate Howard Kaylan’s band the Crossfires, which later became The Turtles. They had their first Top 10 hit in 1965 with a cover of Bob Dylan’s It Ain’t Me Babe. Their best known hit was the No 1 Billboard Hot 100 track Happy Together, on which he sang harmony.
After the band split in 1970, Mark continued to work with Howard as the duo Flo + Eddie, touring with Frank Zappa and singing backing vocals for artists including Bruce Springsteen, Duran Duran and T. Rex.
In his 40s, Mark received his master’s in screenwriting and went on to teach music at Belmont University in Nashville. Despite the symptoms of his condition, including tremors and hallucinations, Mark continued to perform.
The Happy Together music tour was headlined by him and The Turtles, sans Howard who had to stop performing due to health concerns.
The vocalist is survived by his daughters Sarina and Hallie, former wives Patricia – the mother of his children – and Emily Volman, as well as his brother Phil Volman.
Tributes have flooded in for Volman, as singer Danny Deraney posted on X: “We’ve lost our Flo. Rest in Peace Mark Volman. Such an incredible talent with The Turtles and The Mothers of Invention. Mark could play almost any instrument and without a doubt is the prototype of being the original hype man in modern music.”
Fellow musician Micky Dolenz added: “Sad to hear about the passing of my friend Mark Volman. I’ll always remember his humor & voice with the Turtles. Here’s a 70s photo from a tennis charity event — me, Olivia Newton-John, Keith Moon, and Mark. Sending love and condolences to Mark’s family, friends, and fans.”
Singer Laurie Beebe Lewis penned: “RIP Mark Volman of The Turtles. He was a joyful man full of life and a faithful troubadour to his fans. I was truly blessed to know and tour with him on the 1985 Happy Together Tour. Sending love to his close friends and family. Chuck and I love you always!”