Mark Volman, the founding member of the iconic 1960s pop‑rock band The Turtles, passed away on September 5, 2025, at the age of 78 in Nashville, Tennessee. His death followed a brief and unexpected illness, as confirmed by his representatives .

Volman’s musical journey began in high school when he joined Howard Kaylan’s band, The Crossfires, which eventually evolved into The Turtles. The group soared to fame with chart‑topping hits, most notably “Happy Together,” alongside other hits like “It Ain’t Me Babe” and “Elenore”.

Following The Turtles’ disbandment in 1970, Volman and Kaylan formed the duo Flo & Eddie. In this role, Volman toured with Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention and contributed backing vocals for artists such as T. Rex, Duran Duran, and Bruce Springsteen .

In 2020, Volman was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. Despite its progression, he continued performing on the enduring “Happy Together” tour and shared his diagnosis publicly in 2023 . That same year he released his memoir, Happy Forever, in which he reflected on experiences with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, and his expansive career .

His final days were marked by the steadfast positivity he maintained throughout his illness. His former wife Emily Volman, who remained close until the end, recalled that he “never lost his playfulness” and had a “big old smile even at the end”.

Beyond his musical achievements, Volman earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in screenwriting from Loyola Marymount University and went on to teach music business at Belmont University in Nashville .

Volman is survived by his partner, Emily Volman; his ex‑wife, Pat Volman; his daughters, Hallie Volman and Sarina Miller; and his brother, Phil Volman