Mark Volman, the legendary musician and co-founder of the iconic 1960s rock band The Turtles, has died at the age of 78. He passed away on September 5, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee, after what his family described as a “brief, unexpected illness.” According to his former wife, Emily Volman, the cause of death was a blood disease. His passing marks the end of a remarkable journey that left an indelible imprint on rock music, education, and popular culture.
The Turtles Co-Founder Dies at 78 After Blood Disease
Volman’s death comes after years of courageously facing significant health challenges. In 2015, he was diagnosed with throat cancer but successfully underwent treatment and was later declared cancer-free. In 2020, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurological condition that affects memory and motor function. Despite this, he continued to remain active, touring with the annual Happy Together concert series until early 2025, proving his unwavering commitment to music and fans.
Born on April 19, 1947, in Los Angeles, Mark Volman rose to fame as a co-founder of The Turtles, a group best known for their chart-topping 1967 single “Happy Together.” Alongside his friend and longtime collaborator Howard Kaylan, Volman helped define the sunny, infectious sound of 1960s pop-rock. Together, they created music that transcended generations, with songs like “Elenore” and “She’d Rather Be with Me” cementing their status as one of the decade’s most beloved bands.
When The Turtles disbanded in 1970, Volman and Kaylan reinvented themselves as the duo Flo & Eddie, performing with Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention and contributing to numerous recordings, radio programs, and film soundtracks. Their adaptability not only kept their careers alive but also showcased their versatility as entertainers.
In his later years, Volman turned his attention to education and writing. He became a respected professor at Belmont University in Nashville, where he inspired countless students with his firsthand knowledge of the music industry. In 2023, he published his memoir, Happy Forever, a candid and reflective book chronicling his life in music, his struggles, and his enduring optimism. The memoir was praised for its honesty, humor, and insights into both the joys and challenges of a lifetime in rock and roll.
