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Iconic musician Mark Volman of The Turtles dead at 78

The artist had a huge career throughout the 1960s with a ‘brief, unexpected illness’ claiming his life this week.
Caleb TaylorBy Caleb Taylor
LOS ANGELES - 1966: Pop group The Turtles (L-R top row Al Nichol, Jim Tucker and Mark Volman, middle Don Murray, bottom row L-R Howard Kayman and Chuck Portz) pose for a portrait in 1966 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

The Turtles co-founder Mark Volman has died aged 78.

Representatives for Volman, who was guitarist and vocalist for the band, confirmed he passed away on September 5, following a “brief, unexpected illness” in Nashville, Tennessee.

The band was known of hits including Billboard number one single Happy Together in 1967 and Elenore in 1968.

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Volman joined The Turtles in high school in 1963, when he was a student at Westchester High School, alongside fellow band member, Howard Kaylan.

The band started in surf music but switched to folk rock.

The Turtles’ original line-up was Volman, Kaylan, Don Murray, Al Nichol, Jim Tucker and Chuck Portz.

Later band members were bassists Chip Douglas and Jim Pons, and drummers Joel Larson, Johnny Barbata, and John Seiter.

The band found success early with Bob Dylan’s It Ain’t Me Babe was released in 1965.

It reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

After a string of failures, the band released Happy Together in 1967, which was their biggest hit.

Iconic musician Mark Volman of The Turtles, has died aged 78.
Iconic musician Mark Volman of The Turtles, has died aged 78. Credit: Bobby Bank/Getty Images
Volman joined The Turtles in high school in 1963, when he was a student at Westchester High School in high school, alongside fellow band member, Howard Kaylan. Here in 2019.
Volman joined The Turtles in high school in 1963, when he was a student at Westchester High School in high school, alongside fellow band member, Howard Kaylan. Here in 2019. Credit: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

The final original album of The Turtles was released in 1969, called Turtle Soup.

In 1992, Volman studied a a bachelor’s degree at Loyola Marymount University. He graduated in 1997.

He later earned a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts in 1999, from Loyola.

The Turtles (L-R top row Al Nichol, Jim Tucker and Mark Volman, middle Don Murray, bottom row L-R Howard Kayman and Chuck Portz) pose for a portrait in 1966 in Los Angeles, California.
The Turtles (L-R top row Al Nichol, Jim Tucker and Mark Volman, middle Don Murray, bottom row L-R Howard Kayman and Chuck Portz) pose for a portrait in 1966 in Los Angeles, California. Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Michael Ochs Archives
In 1992, Volman studied a a bachelor’s degree at Loyola Marymount University, he graduated in 1997.
In 1992, Volman studied a a bachelor’s degree at Loyola Marymount University, he graduated in 1997. Credit: Steve Eichner/Getty Images

In 2020, Volman was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia (LBD), a progressive brain disorder that affects thinking, memory and movement.

“I got hit by the knowledge that this was going to create a whole new part of my life. And I said, ‘OK, whatever’s going to happen will happen, but I’ll go as far as I can,’” he told People magazine.

‘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.”

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

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