The Turtles had 12 members across their history. The band formed in Los Angeles in 1965 around lead vocalist Howard Kaylan and backing vocalist Mark Volman, and both stayed through every era. Their best-known song, “Happy Together” (1967), reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Before they were the Turtles, the group performed as the Nightriders in 1963 and the Crossfires from 1963 to 1965. The band was active from 1965 to 1970 and again from 1983 to 2025.
Howard Kaylan – Lead Vocals
Howard Kaylan was the original lead vocalist and sang on the band’s Top 40 run, including “It Ain’t Me Babe” (1965), “Happy Together” and “Elenore” (1968). After the break-up he performed with Volman as Flo & Eddie. Kaylan was “Eddie”.
Mark Volman – Backing Vocals
Mark Volman was an original member on backing vocals and Kaylan’s long-time partner, performing as “Flo” in Flo & Eddie. In 1983 Kaylan and Volman legally regained the use of the Turtles name.
Al Nichol – Lead Guitar
Al Nichol was the original lead guitarist and appears in the band’s classic 1967 line-up.
Jim Tucker – Rhythm Guitar
Jim Tucker was the original rhythm guitarist and is also pictured in the 1967 line-up.
Chuck Portz – Bass
Chuck Portz was the original bassist in 1965.
Don Murray – Drums
Don Murray was the original drummer.
Later Members
- Chip Douglas: bass. He appears in the 1967 line-up.
- Jim Pons: bass. He later joined Kaylan and Volman in Frank Zappa’s band, the Mothers of Invention.
- Joel Larson: drums.
- Johnny Barbata: drums. He is in the 1967 line-up.
- John Seiter: drums.
- Ron Dante: listed among the band’s past members.
The Band After 1970
Management problems, lawsuits and conflicts with their label, White Whale Records, led the group to break up in 1970. Kaylan, Volman and Pons then joined the Mothers of Invention. From 1983 Kaylan and Volman toured as the Turtles Featuring Flo and Eddie. Instead of reuniting with their former bandmates, they used sidemen from other groups, and in 1984 they toured the U.S. on a Happy Together tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who sang “Happy Together”? Howard Kaylan was the Turtles’ lead vocalist, with Mark Volman on backing vocals.
- Who were Flo and Eddie? Mark Volman (“Flo”) and Howard Kaylan (“Eddie”).
- Who was in the original Turtles line-up? Kaylan, Volman, Al Nichol, Jim Tucker, Chuck Portz and Don Murray.
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