History of the TURTLES part one | #091

The Turtles are a band with a wide range of musical styles ranging from folk-rock to pop, to psychedelic, to good time music. In this three-part video series, the history of the band is traced from their early days as the Crossfires through their unceremonious breakup in 1970. This video features all the hits, the misses, and the great album cuts.

Pop Goes the 60s is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, a program designed to earn advertising fees through advertising and linking. I thank you!

[davidkirby]

Basically, unknown, not unappreciated. White Whale was a horrible label for such a talented band to be a part of. Only the big hits got much attention while the albums were amazing. PLUS, the Turtles were also fantastic live putting on top notch entertainment. They didn't just play their songs and sounded like the record like so many 60's bands. The Turtles always took delight in surprising their audience with unknown talents and polish.

[gerrylavelle]

Back in the mid 70's I worked in a Herbal Shoppe in Boulder Colorado and I had a basket of dried peyote buttons sitting on the counter that folks who knew what they were could partake of s few of them free. One day I was behind the counter reading a book when someone said: "Hey -- are these for sale?" I looked up and the person speaking was the frizzy haired guy from the Turtles. I told him go ahead take some free. He grabbed a few and left like a happy camper. I checked around and it turns out the Turtles were playing at the University of Colorado that evening.

[LUIS-oxbv]

"So Happy Together, " was a colossal hit in a year featuring tremendous music. 1967 was one of the very best years of my life.

[stephenjones]

Drummer John Barbata also played for "Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young" and "Jefferson Airplane/Starship" as well as their various member's solo albums. He also played drums as a Session Musician on a large number of other artist's albums.

[brucelevy]

I always liked that the Turtles always seemed to me to have an ironic take on pop music. They had a certain comedic element, which always struck me as very cool.

[georgeedward]

In the late 80s I worked at the Bottom Line in Greenwich Village. Flo and Eddie did a lot of shows there during the holidays. I got to meet and talk with Mark and Howard a few times and they were very cool guys. Needless to say their performances were superb. They both have such great voices.

[Thadmotor]

We loved the Turtles . I like the way they were hooked up with Crosby Stills, and Nash

[ellenh]

I saw them in Riverdale, NY sometime around 1974 in a small college auditorium. Great show, great comedy, a really fun evening. Fond memories of the band!

[tomgebarowski]

I have seen Mark & Howard together live a few times on oldies circuit. Their songs are so great, and they are so fun!
Happy Together is am alltime 60's classic! So are many of their other pop rock hits!

[MovieMakingMan]

I loved the Turtles! I had no idea they had such a varied and extensive background. It’s very interesting to know. Thanks for putting this awesome show together! It’s a gem!

[jlr]

The Turtles play at San Clemente High School, California, in 1967, the Doors played the same year.

[rdalbright]

I saw The Turtles live in about 1967. They were quite good.

[continentalgin]

I was a kid when Happy Together hit the Top 40 AM radio and wow, what a classic. I loved it immediately, the first time I heard it, and have never tired of listening to it. It was one of those songs like The Letter by the Box Tops, California Dreamin' by the Mamas and Papas, and Light My Fire by The Doors, you know, hooks and arrangements that last a lifetime and more.

[shedboy]

WHAT A GREAT TIME TO BE A TEENAGER GROWING UP TO BE LISTENING TO USA AND UK MUSIC - FAB, GROOVY, FAR OUT MAN!

[DeanUSAman]

The Turtles 🐢 music 🎶 makes you feel happy... even 60 Years on...

[nuwavedave]

As I type this, I'm listening to The Turtles 1965 LP on vinyl. Howard Kaylan's ability to shift from sexy teen crooner to growling hard rocker is astounding. Not a bum tack on The Turtles' first album. They weren't a Poor Man's "Byrds". They transitioned from The Crossfires, a hot South Bay Surf band from the neighborhoods bordering LA International Airport to a first-rate Folk Rock & Pop band. Frank Zappa featured Howard and fellow-Turtle, Mark Volman with "The Mothers" as "Flo & Eddie". That ain't hay.

[Aidenbro-sk]

I love this show! I’ve learned so much!

[scottburton]

The Turtles were a fabulous group-Great harmonies!

[the-npmr]

Man, the phrase "one-eyed midgets" is the funniest thing I've heard all day

[RianShafer]

This is where my babysitting money went in the 60s, music. The Turtle's songs make me happy & I belt them out to this day.