Very few rock performers have remained as vital through the 1960's, 70's, 80's, and 90's as have Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman ... and they continue to maintain a vigorous tour schedule as they step into the new millenium .

Two guys from Westchester . That's how Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan (AKA Flo and Eddie) refer to themselves. Two slightly bewildered kids thrust into the fast lane of rock 'n' roll stardom - hits, fame, national tours, hanging out with the Beatles, joining the Mothers of Invention, acting in the "200 Motels" movie, and on and on ... Two guys from Westchester.

Eventually naming their original band the Crossfires they set their sights on the adjacent South Bay area (Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Torrance) and quickly found themselves winners of several Battle of the Bands competitions that resulted in a residency at Reb Foster's (a local DJ) Revelaire Club. The group also had a fan club of sorts, "the Chunky Club," whose members made obscene genital gestures with the help of spoons during band appearances. (For more insight into this period, refer to the Crossfires album, Out of Control) It was here that demands were made upon them to learn the various hit recordings of stars like the Coasters, Sonny and Cher , the Righteous Brothers and others for whom they would occasionally become the backup band.

It was time for a name change as well. The group liked "The Half Dozen," or "Six Pack," but opted for Reb Foster's suggestion, The Turtles (like The Byrds , right?).

It was exactly the same band and the same songs - one week at the Revelaire they were the Crossfires , the next week they were the Turtles. It wasn't long before the release of the Turtles first single, their arrangement of a Bob Dylan song, "It Ain't Me Babe." It was an immediate hit - climbing into the Top Five nationally - quickly establishing the Turtles as a force of their own. Their first concert appearance was before 50,000 kids at the Rose Bowl, opening for Herman's Hermits.

The next step was "the road" , and it was like living the life of the Beatles in A Hard Days Night. Landing in Chicago, they were immediately the subject of much scrutiny by the members of the American Legion who were convening at the same hotel at which the long-haired Turtles also stayed. The Turtles joined the Dick Clark Caravan of the Stars, and it was immediate stardom and lots of screaming girls. Instead of the band forging their own path by playing a series of clubs to whoever had heard of their one hit, they took the stage to full, enthusiastic houses, supporting much more popular stars.

To understand the Turtles, is to realize that they were for most of their career, a tight knit bunch - they really were those "happy together guys." There was very much a feeling of brotherhood. It was common for the band members to congregate in the middle of their tour bus and, after having smoked some grass, to collectively chant. Now, this was not merely a ten minute exercise, but one that often went on for hours. as the bus traveled say, from Tennessee to Illinois. The various members would settle into their own notes, and droning harmonies would elevate the experience to an even higher piane . Jim Pons brought a more consciously spiritual direction to the band. He turned them on to "The Impersonal Life," and led discussions on the philosophy expressed in the book. The group totally believed in "the power of God." This "oneness' helped them to face the occasional near misses with death: like the time two huge, semi-trucks barreled down on their car from a two-lane highway, only to skirt upon the side embankments to allow their car to barely scrape through; or the time the Turtles private plane crash landed in a field in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

For decades now the group has been sharing their music with adoring fans and continue their proud tradition.