Musical Pioneer’s Final Chapter

Mark Volman, a founding member of the 1960s rock band the Turtles and singer known as “Flo” of Flo & Eddie, died in Nashville, Tennessee on Friday at the age of 78.

His death came after a brief, unexpected illness. The musician had been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2020, a condition he chose to reveal publicly only in 2023 when promoting his memoir.

A Legacy of Musical Innovation

Volman’s musical journey began when he founded the Turtles in 1965 alongside Howard Kaylan and other bandmates. The group achieved remarkable success with pop hits including “It Ain’t Me Babe,” “Elenore” and their signature song “Happy Together,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Following the Turtles’ breakup in 1970, Volman and Kaylan formed Flo & Eddie, embarking on new musical adventures. They toured with Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention and created background tracks for various artists, including T. Rex’s “Bang a Gong (Get It On)” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Hungry Heart.”

Beyond the Stage

In a remarkable mid-life transformation, Volman pursued higher education at age 45, earning his bachelor’s degree from Loyola Marymount University, where he graduated magna cum laude as class valedictorian. He went on to earn a Master’s degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in screenwriting in 1999, and subsequently taught Music Business & Industry courses.

Despite health challenges, Volman remained active in the music industry until the very end. He continued performing on the Happy Together tours through summer 2025, partnering with Archies singer Ron Dante after Howard Kaylan’s retirement.

He is survived by his significant other Emily Volman, his ex-wife Pat Volman, their daughters Hallie Volman and Sarina Miller, and his brother Phil Volman.