Howard Kaylan: The Versatile Voice of The Turtles and Flo & Eddie
Howard Kaylan is a distinguished American musician and songwriter whose career spans the golden eras of rock and pop. Best known as a founding member and lead singer of The Turtles, Kaylan's journey through the music industry is marked by a unique ability to blend melodic pop with avant-garde experimentation. From the chart-topping hits of the 1960s to collaborations with legendary figures like Frank Zappa, Kaylan has left an indelible mark on the sonic landscape of the 20th century.
Born Howard Lawrence Kaplan on June 22, 1947, in New York City, Kaylan grew up in Utica, New York, and later in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles. A gifted student and musician, he studied choral music and the clarinet, winning a Bank of America Fine Arts Award at age 16. His academic excellence led him to graduate as valedictorian from Westchester High School before briefly attending the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on a scholarship.
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Key Facts
- Founding Member: Co-founded The Turtles in the mid-1960s.
- Pseudonym: Performed as "Eddie" during his time with Frank Zappa and in the duo Flo & Eddie.
- Versatility: Proficient in vocals, keyboards, clarinet, and saxophone.
- Collaborations: Provided backing vocals for over 100 albums, including work with John Lennon and Bruce Springsteen.
- Literary Work: Author of the autobiography Shell Shocked and contributor to dark fantasy anthologies.
The Turtles and the Rise to Fame
In the late 1960s, Kaylan and his partner Mark Volman formed The Turtles. The band became a staple of the era's pop-rock scene, with Kaylan serving as a prolific songwriter. One of his most notable contributions was co-writing the hit "Elenore." The band's catalog, including the iconic "Happy Together," continues to be widely used in modern television advertisements and motion pictures for brands such as Sony PlayStation and the NFL.
Following a period of legal disputes that lasted fifteen years, the rights to the name "The Turtles" and their master recordings officially reverted to Kaylan and Volman in 1985.
Collaborations with Frank Zappa
In May 1970, Kaylan and Volman transitioned into the experimental world of Frank Zappa, joining his band, The Mothers of Invention. Due to contractual restrictions, they were forbidden from using their real names or the name of their former band. Consequently, they adopted the pseudonyms "Flo" (short for Phlorescent Leech) and "Eddie."
The duo appeared on five albums, including Chunga's Revenge and Fillmore East – June 1971, and featured in the semi-documentary film 200 Motels. Their tenure with Zappa ended abruptly after a December 10, 1971, concert at the Rainbow Theatre in London, where an irate fan pushed Zappa into the orchestra pit, causing serious injuries that put the band on hiatus.
The Flo & Eddie Era
Following the hiatus of The Mothers of Invention, Kaylan and Volman signed with Columbia Records as Flo & Eddie. An amusing printing error on their first album cover accidentally swapped their stage names; because the label refused to pay for a reprint, the duo officially swapped their professional identities, with Kaylan becoming "Eddie."
As Flo & Eddie, they released nine albums across Warner Bros. and Columbia Records. Beyond their own recordings, they became highly sought-after session singers, contributing backing vocals to over 100 albums for artists such as Blondie, Duran Duran, T. Rex, and Alice Cooper. They also expanded into comedy writing, radio broadcasting, and journalism, writing columns for publications like Creem and the Los Angeles Free Press.
Solo Ventures, Film, and Literature
In the 1990s, Kaylan explored his interest in science fiction and dark fantasy, publishing short stories in the anthologies Phantoms of the Night and Forbidden Acts. In 2006, he released a solo album titled Dust Bunnies, featuring a mix of B-sides, album cuts, and covers of artists like The Honeycombs and The Left Banke.
Kaylan also ventured into acting and filmmaking. He appeared in the 1983 comedy Get Crazy and the 2005 Stephen King adaptation Riding the Bullet. He wrote and starred in the film My Dinner with Jimi, which evolved from a short treatment into a full-length feature. In 2013, he published his autobiography, Shell Shocked: My Life with the Turtles, Flo and Eddie, Frank Zappa, Etc.
Career Summary
| Period/Group | Role/Identity | Key Contribution/Work |
|---|---|---|
| The Turtles (1960s) | Founding Member / Lead Singer | "Happy Together", "Elenore" |
| Mothers of Invention (1970-71) | "Eddie" | Chunga's Revenge, 200 Motels |
| Flo & Eddie (1970s-80s) | Duo Member | 9 studio albums, 100+ backing vocal credits |
| Solo/Other (1990s-2018) | Author / Actor / Solo Artist | Dust Bunnies, Shell Shocked |
Health and Retirement
In 2018, Howard Kaylan retired from touring to undergo necessary heart and back surgeries. His place on the "Happy Together" tour was taken by Ron Dante. Despite his retirement from the road, his legacy continues through his extensive discography and his contributions to the history of American rock and pop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Howard Kaylan use the name "Eddie"?
Kaylan used the pseudonym "Eddie" while performing with Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention because contractual obligations prevented him and Mark Volman from using their real names or the name of their previous band, The Turtles.
How did the name "Flo & Eddie" become permanent?
Originally, the names were assigned differently, but a printing error on their first album cover swapped the names above their photos. Because the record label would not pay to reprint the covers, Kaylan and Volman decided to professionally swap their stage names.
What is the significance of the book Shell Shocked?
Shell Shocked is Kaylan's autobiography, published in 2013, which details his life and experiences with The Turtles, Flo & Eddie, and Frank Zappa.
Which famous artists did Kaylan provide backing vocals for?
Kaylan provided backing vocals for over 100 albums, working with legendary artists including John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, the Ramones, Blondie, and Alice Cooper.
Why did Kaylan retire from touring in 2018?
Kaylan retired from touring due to health reasons, specifically the need for heart and back surgeries.