The Turtles, featuring Flo and Eddie

Very few rock performers have remained as vital through the 1960s, ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s as Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman… and with The Turtles, featuring Flo & Eddie they continue to maintain a vigorous tour schedule.

The Turtles’ rebellious energy was initially channeled into the whole folk rock protest period, and they hit it big with “It Ain’t Me Babe” and Sloan’s “Let Me Be.” The Turtles chose “I Get Out Of Breath” as their next single. It could have been a hit, but it was left in an uncompleted state after “You Baby” became a hit and dictated a candy-coated, poppy direction.

After a string of hits and international success, The Turtles folded in 1970. Mark, Howard and Jim Pons joined Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention for one of the most entertaining incarnations of that ensemble. Due to contractual restrictions made early in their career, Mark and Howard were prevented from using the name “The Turtles”, as well as their own names, in a musical context. In order to circumvent this, they became “The Phlorescent Leech and Eddie” (later shortened to “Flo and Eddie”).