![\"Mark](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SEI_264799253-4403.jpg\")
\n\t\tMark Volman has died aged 78 (Picture: Scott Dudelson\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tMark Volman has died aged 78 (Picture: Scott Dudelson\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
The Turtles guitarist and vocalist Mark Volman has died aged 78.<\/p>\n
The 1960s rock star died in Nashville, Tennessee on Friday (Sunday 5) after a \u2018brief, unexpected illness\u2019.<\/p>\n
Volman was a founding member of The Turtles, who initially went by the Crossfires, in 1963. <\/p>\n
He was a student at Westchester High School<\/a> in California<\/a> at the time, along with Turtles member Howard Kaylan, who he first began performing with. <\/p>\n Alongside Volman and Kaylan, the Turtles comprised lead guitarist Al Nichol, rhythm guitarist Jim Tucker, bassist Chuck Portz and drummer Don Murray.<\/p>\n The band had a number of 1960s hits to their name, including It Ain\u2019t Me Babe in 1964, Happy Together in 1967 and Elenore in 1968.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t The classic rock band broke up in 1970, after which Volman and Kaylan formed the musical duo Flo & Eddie. <\/p>\n The pair toured with Frank Zappa\u2019s Mothers of Invention and created backing tracks for artists including Bruce Springsteen, as well as writing the music for the children\u2019s TV show Strawberry Shortcake. <\/p>\n Later in life, Volman returned to academia, earning both a bachelor\u2019s and a master\u2019s degree. He went on to teach music business.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \t\t Volman continued to perform through the early stages of his illness. <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n In his final Instagram<\/a> post in January, Los Angeles native Volman asked his followers to come together amid the destructive wildfires.<\/p>\n Volman\u2019s representative confirmed the rockstar had died this week in a statement to People<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"15070811](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SEI_264799489-dd69.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe Turtles were originally called Crossfires (Picture: Central Press\/Hulton Archive\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"15070811](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SEI_264799479-2acf.jpg\")
\n\t\t(Picture: Tom Hill\/WireImage)<\/p>\n![\"15070811](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SEI_264799484-3aea.jpg\")
\n\t\tVolman and Kaylan formed the musical duo Flo & Eddie (Picture: George Napolitano\/FilmMagic)<\/p>\n
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