Mark Volman of the classic rock band's The Turtles and Flo & Eddie performs onstage during the Happy Together tour at Saban Theatre on July 14, 2018 in Beverly Hills.
Mark Volman has died aged 78 (Picture: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

The Turtles guitarist and vocalist Mark Volman has died aged 78.

The 1960s rock star died in Nashville, Tennessee on Friday (Sunday 5) after a ‘brief, unexpected illness’.

Volman was a founding member of The Turtles, who initially went by the Crossfires, in 1963.

He was a student at Westchester High School in California at the time, along with Turtles member Howard Kaylan, who he first began performing with.

Alongside Volman and Kaylan, the Turtles comprised lead guitarist Al Nichol, rhythm guitarist Jim Tucker, bassist Chuck Portz and drummer Don Murray.

The band had a number of 1960s hits to their name, including It Ain’t Me Babe in 1964, Happy Together in 1967 and Elenore in 1968.

15070811 Mark Volman dead at 78: The Turtles founding member passes away after 'unexpected illness' Portrait of American rock band 'The Turtles'; (back L-R) Al Nichol, Jim Tucker, Mark Volman, Howard Kaylan and (front L-R) Johnny Barbara and Jim Pon, promoting their new single 'She'd Rather Be With Me' in Britain, June 13th 1967. (Photo by Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The Turtles were originally called Crossfires (Picture: Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

15070811 Mark Volman dead at 78: The Turtles founding member passes away after 'unexpected illness' ATLANTA - APRIL 23: Mark Volman (Flo) of American duo Flo & Eddie, formerly of The Turtles and The Mothers of Invention, performs at Alex Cooley's Electric Ballroom on April 23, 1975 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. (Photo by Tom Hill/WireImage)
(Picture: Tom Hill/WireImage)

The classic rock band broke up in 1970, after which Volman and Kaylan formed the musical duo Flo & Eddie.

The pair toured with Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention and created backing tracks for artists including Bruce Springsteen, as well as writing the music for the children’s TV show Strawberry Shortcake.

Later in life, Volman returned to academia, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. He went on to teach music business.

Volman was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia (LBD) in 2020. Lewy body dementia is a progressive brain disorder, causing changes to sleep, behaviour and movement.

15070811 Mark Volman dead at 78: The Turtles founding member passes away after 'unexpected illness' NEW YORK - JULY 22: Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman, better know as Flo & Eddie of The Turtles perform during the 32nd Annual Seaside Summer concert series>> at Asser Levy Park, Coney Island on July 22, 2010 in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City. (Photo by George Napolitano/FilmMagic)
Volman and Kaylan formed the musical duo Flo & Eddie (Picture: George Napolitano/FilmMagic)

Volman continued to perform through the early stages of his illness.

He revealed his diagnosis in 2023 and the same year published his memoir, Happy Forever: My Musical Adventures With The Turtles, Frank Zappa, T. Rex, Flo & Eddie, and More.

In his final Instagram post in January, Los Angeles native Volman asked his followers to come together amid the destructive wildfires.

Volman’s representative confirmed the rockstar had died this week in a statement to People.

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

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