Mark Volman, the singer and co -founder of the turtles who were famous for their 1967 single, Happy togetherDied.
It was confirmed that he dies at the age of 78 due to a “short, unexpected illness” according to his representative.
Mark had previously been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2020, but continued to tour and reveal only publicly in 2023.
He told me PEOPLE The magazine at the time: “I was struck by the knowledge that this would create a whole new part of my life. And I said, ‘Okay what will happen will happen, but I go as far as I can.’
He continued, “the challenges of this world are affecting everyone, and it has been a bit of fun to be on the other side of a challenge like this and say, ‘I’m well.’ My friends are here.
Mark came into music while he was still in high school and joined his classmate, Howard Kaylan’s band, Crossfires, who was then eventually renamed the turtles.
The band split in 1970, but Mark continued to work with Howard when the duo Flo + Eddie toured with Frank Zappa and sang backing vocals for artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Duran Duran and T. Rex.
Despite the symptoms of his condition, including the shaking and hallucinations, Mark continued to appear on the annual Happy together Music tour that he and the turtles exceeded without Howard that stepped down due to health problems.
