Mark Volman

Mark Volman
Volman (and Frank Zappa in background); December 1971, Hamburg
Background information
Also known as	"Flo", or The Phlorescent Leech
Born	19 April 1947 (1947-04-19) (age 64) Los Angeles California United States
Genres	Alternative rock, rock and roll, R&B, experimental rock
Occupations	Musician, Songwriter, Professor
Instruments	Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar
Years active	1967- present
Labels	Columbia
Associated acts	The Turtles, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention

Mark Volman (born April 19, 1947) is an American rock and roll singer, best known as a founding member of the 1960s band The Turtles. At times during his career he has used the pseudonym "The Phlorescent Leech" ("Flo" for short). Volman became a stand-out figure upon joining the Mothers of Invention under the tutelage of Frank Zappa.

Academia

Volman was born in Los Angeles California, and grew up in Westchester, a suburb of Los Angeles, where he graduated from Westchester High School in 1965. Over 25 years later in 1992 at age 45 he started his bachelor's degree at Loyola Marymount University. Volman graduated with a B.A. degree in 1997 Magna cum Laude and was the class valedictorian speaker. During the speech he led the graduates in a chorus of "Happy Together". CBS Evening News covered Volman's graduation and interviewed his parents who were perplexed at their son's academic accomplishments.^[1]

Volman went on to earn a Master's degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in screenwriting in 1999 also from Loyola. Volman has taught Music Business & Industry courses in the Communications and Fine Arts department at Loyola. He has also taught courses at Los Angeles Valley College in the Commercial Music Program. He is currently an Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Entertainment Industry Studies Program at Belmont University in the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business and conducts seminars about the music industry for various academic institutions from junior high school to university level. In addition, he offers consulting on music business and entertainment through the website Ask Professor Flo.^[2]

Music career

Volman and Howard Kaylan founded The Turtles, a popular band of the late 1960s. In December 1968, NME music magazine, reported that Volman had insured his distinctive frizzy hair for US$100,000 against fire, theft or loss due to illness.^[3] As their band folded, Volman and Kaylan discovered that the terms of their contract forbade them to use not only the name 'The Turtles', but also their own names. Kaylan and Volman were recruited by Frank Zappa, joining the Mothers of Invention, and they also worked together as Flo & Eddie in music, in film (they provided music and voices for animated films like Down and Dirty Duck), and in radio broadcasting. In 1971 Volman appeared on the soundtrack to Zappa's film, 200 Motels.^[4] As of 2011, Kaylan and Volman were still touring and giving over 60 concerts a year, billed as "The Turtles ... Featuring Flo & Eddie".

Volman runs his businesses with his wife, Emily Volman, who met each other as college sweethearts.^[5] They are also active members of Harpeth Presbyterian Church in Brentwood, TN, where they are Youth Advisors.^[6]

References

1. ^ Rag Baby Online Magazine: April 9, 1999 [3]
2. ^ : Ask Professor Flo :
3. ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 191. CN 5585. 
4. ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 223. CN 5585. 
5. ^ Groups.google.se
6. ^ Nashville Scene - The Phlorescent Teach

External links

• The Turtles official website
• Ask Professor Flo, a business and website run by Volman and his wife to aid up and coming musicians
• Mark Volman at the Internet Movie Database

Persondata
Name	Volman, Mark
Alternative names	Phosphorescent Leech
Short description
Date of birth	April 19, 1947
Place of birth	Los Angeles, California
Date of death
Place of death