POP MUSIC The Turtles' career is ongoing study

One is a professor at Belmont University.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
What a long, strange trip it's been for '60s pop act The Turtles and its singers Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman.
Known predominantly for its big hit "Happy Together," The Turtles enjoyed a five-year run that came to an end in 1970, just as Kaylan and Volman joined Frank Zappa's eccentric Mothers of Invention outfit.
Younger generations may not understand the significance, but today the move is tantamount to Justin Timberlake joining Radiohead. To say the transition was incongruent is an understatement. In fact, it was a mindblower for everyone involved, including fans from both entities.
"Quite honestly, it was the best and worst, happening in the same day," said Volman, calling from Nashville, Tenn. "We probably lost some fans when we went off and began singing about body parts and sexual positions. That was probably not the best thing for our pop music career."
What happened
Christened Flo & amp; Eddie, Kaylan and Volman toured and recorded with Zappa for a few years and albums before the duo released its own material through the early '80s. Eventually, the oldies boom found renewed interest in '60s acts with the twosome dubbing themselves The Turtles featuring Flo & amp; Eddie and returning to the stage.
Reliving history is nothing new to Volman, a professor at Belmont University in music history and music industry business.
In fact, you can chalk up The Turtles' continued involvement with Northeast Ohio's annual Moondog Coronation Ball -- which this year also includes Tommy James and The Shondells, Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Badfinger and The Box Tops and takes place Saturday at The Q -- as an ongoing case-study research for the 58-year-old performer and music academic.
"The Coronation Ball is part of music history, going all the way back to the '50s. And they are fun to be a part of because Cleveland is a strong oldies supportive community. When you come in you get good, knowledgeable fans that are supportive. And we're paid," Volman said. "You put all of that together and it makes for a fun event."
Considering the slice of '60s pop music this year's Moondog Coronation Ball features, everyone from the bands to the fans should be happy together.