Mark Volman, a founding member of the 1960s rock band the Turtles and the unforgettable “Flo” of Flo & Eddie, died in Nashville, Tennessee, on September 5, 2025, after a brief sudden illness. He was 78.
Born in Los Angeles in 1947, Volman helped shape the sound of the ’60s and beyond with his harmonies, humor, and creativity. From chart-topping pop to experimental rock, from the classroom to the stage, his life was filled with music, friendship, and joy. To celebrate him, here are 20 amazing facts about Mark Volman.
1. A California Dreamer
Mark was born April 19, 1947, in Los Angeles and grew up in the suburb of Westchester, where his musical journey began.
2. High School Harmony
At Westchester High School, he met Howard Kaylan—the partnership that would define his career.
3. The Birth of the Turtles
With Kaylan and friends, he co-founded the Turtles in 1965, transforming a surf band into a pop powerhouse.
4. A #1 Hitmaker
Mark’s harmonies can be heard on “Happy Together,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967 and remains a timeless anthem.
5. The Hair Heard Around the World
In 1968, he famously insured his distinctive curly hair for $100,000.
6. Reinvention as Flo
When legal issues blocked him from using his own name, Mark took on the stage name “Flo”—short for Phlorescent Leech.
7. A Zappa Connection
Flo & Eddie joined Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention, bringing their playful voices and wild humor to the band’s live shows.
8. Rock’s Secret Ingredient
As Flo & Eddie, Mark and Howard added background vocals to classic tracks like T. Rex’s “Bang a Gong (Get It On)” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Hungry Heart.”
9. On the Big Screen
Mark appeared in Frank Zappa’s 1971 film 200 Motels, blending rock and surrealist cinema.
10. A Voice for Kids
Flo & Eddie created music for children’s shows, including the beloved Strawberry Shortcake specials.
11. The Ramones, U2, and More
Their voices can be heard on records by the Ramones, U2, Blondie, and Duran Duran, among many others.
12. A Second Act in Academia
At age 45, Mark went back to school, earning his B.A. magna cum laude from Loyola Marymount University in 1997—he even led his graduating class in a singalong of “Happy Together.”
13. Professor Flo
He went on to earn an MFA in screenwriting and taught music business at Loyola, Los Angeles Valley College, and later Belmont University in Nashville.
14. Ask Professor Flo
He shared his wisdom with students and fans alike through his consulting platform, “Ask Professor Flo.”
15. Still on the Road
With Howard retired, Mark continued leading the Turtles on the “Happy Together” tours into the 2020s, keeping the music alive for new generations.
16. A Battle with Cancer
In 2015, he was diagnosed with throat cancer but recovered and returned to the stage, declaring himself cancer-free in 2016.
17. A Courageous Fight
In 2020, he revealed he had Lewy body dementia but continued to perform through its early stages.
18. A Memoir Full of Joy
His 2023 autobiography, Happy Forever: My Musical Adventures With The Turtles, Frank Zappa, T. Rex, Flo & Eddie, and More, captured his remarkable journey.
19. Loved by Legends
Alice Cooper wrote the foreword to his book, calling Mark “one of the most indomitable yet gentle spirits” he had ever met.
20. Forever Happy Together
At graduations, concerts, and even in casual conversation, Mark often circled back to the song that defined his life: “Happy Together.” Fittingly, it remains his gift to the world.
Mark Volman’s life was a reminder that music can be both playful and profound. Whether singing harmonies on a timeless pop hit, teaching students about the business of music, or sharing the stage with rock icons, he carried joy into every room. His spirit, humor, and voice will forever echo in the chorus of “Happy Together.”