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Flo & Eddie

From Alfawiki
Flo & Eddie
Company typeDuo
IndustryMusic
Founded1971
FounderMark Volman, Howard Kaylan
Defunct2018
Headquarters
United States
ProductsMusic albums, live performances

Flo & Eddie was an American rock duo formed by Mark Volman (known as Flo, derived from Phlorescent Leech) and Howard Kaylan (nicknamed Eddie).

Both Volman and Kaylan were original members of the 1960s rock and pop group the Turtles. After the Turtles dissolved in 1970, they became part of Frank Zappa's ensemble, the Mothers of Invention, adopting the moniker 'Phlorescent Leech & Eddie'. Due to contractual limitations, they were prohibited from performing under the name 'the Turtles' or using their personal names for musical releases.

Early Career

Following Frank Zappa's injury during a 1971 concert in London, which caused a hiatus for the Mothers of Invention, Kaylan and Volman took the opportunity to record The Phlorescent Leech & Eddie with most members of the Mothers under Reprise Records. Although this debut album did not achieve chart success, they persisted in producing several records including Flo & Eddie, Illegal, Immoral and Fattening, Moving Targets, and Rock Steady with Flo & Eddie.

The 1970s

Throughout the 1970s, Kaylan and Volman were active as session vocalists. They contributed backing vocals to T. Rex's 1971 hit "Get It On", adding a distinctive additional chorus. Their involvement extended to early T. Rex albums, maintaining a close association with frontman Marc Bolan. The pair also toured as opening acts for Alice Cooper, notably during the “School’s Out” concert in Munich (1972) and the "Billion Dollar Babies Tour" (1973). They later provided background vocals on Cooper’s albums From the Inside, Flush the Fashion, and Zipper Catches Skin. Additionally, they held the role of house band on Canadian television’s talk show 90 Minutes Live hosted by Peter Gzowski, and lent their voices to Hoyt Axton's 1974 song "Telephone Booth".

Early 1980s

In 1980, the duo offered backing vocals on Bruce Springsteen's top ten single "Hungry Heart". Two years later, under the name Checkpoint Charlie, they released a four-track EP via Rhino Records. This work exhibited a darkly playful interpretation of late 1970s to early 1980s German electronic genres such as synth-pop, new wave, and techno, drawing inspiration from artists like D.A.F. and Kraftwerk.

Mid-1980s

By 1984, performing as 'The Turtles... featuring Flo & Eddie', they toured across the United States and Canada alongside acts including Gary Puckett, Spanky and Our Gang, and the Association as part of The Happy Together Tour. In 1985, they embarked on an eight-month tour with groups like the Buckinghams, Gary Lewis, and the Grass Roots, which consistently ranked among the nation’s top ten highest-grossing tours.

2000s

On August 1, 2013, Flo & Eddie—having secured ownership rights to the Turtles’ recordings—filed lawsuits against satellite radio provider Sirius XM alleging unpaid royalties for sound recordings in New York, California, and Florida. A 2014 decision in California mandated Sirius XM to compensate for digital broadcasts of pre-1972 recordings. Conversely, a 2015 ruling in Florida favored Sirius XM due to absence of relevant state statutes. Shortly thereafter, Sirius XM agreed to a $210 million settlement with major record labels and subsequently reached agreements ranging from $25 million to $99 million with owners of pre-1972 recordings.

2010s-2020s

During 2010 and 2011, Flo & Eddie upheld an extensive touring agenda across the United States, participating in the Happy Together: 25th Anniversary Tour alongside the Grass Roots, the Buckinghams, Mark Lindsay, and Micky Dolenz (who joined only in 2010). In 2018, Kaylan ceased touring activities due to health complications. Volman, who had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, passed away on September 5, 2025, at the age of 78 following a short illness.

Film and television work

Flo & Eddie’s partnership with the animation company Murakami-Wolf-Swenson traces back to their contributions to animated sequences in Frank Zappa’s film 200 Motels. They composed music for movies such as Down and Dirty Duck and The Adventures of the American Rabbit, along with the television special Peter and the Magic Egg and multiple Strawberry Shortcake TV specials. Their work on Strawberry Shortcake subsequently led American Greetings to recruit them for the The Care Bears television program.

Discography

With Frank Zappa:

As Flo & Eddie:

With John Lennon & Yoko Ono:

Under Other Names:

  • Checkpoint Charlie EP (1982)

Backing Vocals: They contributed backing vocals for a wide range of prominent musicians including T.Rex, Steely Dan, Ray Manzarek, Roger McGuinn, David Cassidy, Keith Moon, Stephen Stills, Alice Cooper, Bruce Springsteen, Blondie, The Knack, The Psychedelic Furs, Paul Kantner, Andy Taylor (guitarist), Gavin Friday, Jefferson Airplane, Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, Ramones, and Duran Duran.

As producers:

Filmography

External links

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