Guitarist was SO Embarrassed by HIT He REFUSED a Writing Credit…Cost ‘em Millions!-Professor of Rock
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- Опубліковано 10 січ 2024
- Apparently, it was the world’s worst demo. Ever. No one wanted this song. Tons of artists passed over it. The sound quality was nearly unlistenable. And the performance on the track was even worse. Amateurish, out of time, and highlighted by a bizarre falsetto, it was insanely bad… and about to be lost to oblivion because no one was going to record this mess. It was so bad one of the band members turned a chance to co-write the song down… a decision that would cost him millions of dollars. The song Happy Together was going nowhere fast…. That is, until finally a surf band turned folk band, turned psychedelic band heard a diamond in the rough. The band was called the Turtles with Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman. They themselves were on their last legs… having released five straight singles that absolutely bombed. Needing a surefire hit, who knows why they took a chance on this horrible demo? But we’re glad they did. Because as they say, the rest is history. It’s a tale of two intrepid friends Howard and Mark or Flo and Eddies as they would later be known, they have stuck together for the long haul, and so has their signature classic that everybody loves Happy Together. And I mean everybody. It’s a song that you can’t not sing along to when it comes on. It’s pure magic. And you’re going to love the story behind it, coming up… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.
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#classicrock #60smusic #vinylstory #60srock
Hey music junkies, Professor of Rock, always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time. Tell you what, if you want to be a part of a premiere music community that curates the best of the rock and roll era through interviews, through stories, and through history. Subscribe below right now. I promise that you are going to love this channel. We also have a Patreon you'll want to check out. There you’ll find an additional catalog of exclusive content and you can even become an honorary producer to help us curate this music history.
So it’s time for another edition of our series The New Standards. This show takes an in-depth look into songs that transcend genre, decade, and fads - songs that are landmarks in our culture and society. In previous episodes, we have covered Hey Jude by The Beatles, Mrs. Robinson by Simon and Garfunkel, and Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison For today’s episode, we’re returning to that same golden era in the late 60s for one of pop’s all-time greatest hits. From their 1967 album of the same name, it’s Happy Together by the Turtles.
So the membership of the Turtles would change multiple times over the course of the band’s original run between 1965 and 1970. But what remained constant was the leadership and friendship of Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman, both of whom grew up in Westchester, California. The two friends sang a cappella together in their high school choir. And when Mark discovered Howard was in an instrumental surf band called the Nightriders, he had to join… even though he didn’t know how to play an instrument.
Said Howard, “I’ve always been attracted to funny people. So when he asked about joining the group, especially when he answered that he had no particular skills at all. I was sold. The band could really use this guy in it. You know a little levity, something to lighten up the situation. Because it was not a happy band.” - Розваги
Poll: What is your pick for the GREATEST SINGALONG Ever? One you can't help but belt out?
These Boots Are Made For Walking Nancy Sinatra
"Time of the Season" by the Zombies
BBBBBBad To The Bone!
1.Shout- Otis Day & The Knights
1a. Mony Mony- Tommy/Billy 2. I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll- Joan Jett
Can't You Feel My Heartbeat, Herman's Hermits.
Going with the 60s because of today's video 😊
Hi, John Smith from Nu Shooz here. [I see our record in the background.] Glad to see you're still doin' it, and yes I've always loved the Turtles!
Hey “I Can’t Wait!” LOL. I used to eat lunch back then in the 80’s with Kurt Smith from “Tears for Fears!” Super cool guy. Great times back then.
Thank you John and the band for your contribution in 80's
I love looking in the music I've bought a few records from peeked interest and I'm always surprised for something beyond just a bands hits Professor has a awesome influence on us 80s kids on music not made by a computer program
I have a funny story involving this song, which is one of my favs. Some years ago I worked in an office of 15 people that was suffering a severe morale problem. People weren't getting along and it was negatively affecting our work output. So our supervisor scheduled a 2-day office retreat we were required to attend. We were not happy campers at all about this. To add insult to injury, I was assigned to the team tasked with coming up with a theme for the retreat and possible activities. For some reason that song popped in my head during our meeting, so I suggested it as a theme, somewhat sarcastically. Everyone loved it. In fact, they loved it so much, we had custom t-shirts made with a picture of a turtle (the reptile, not the band) on the front surrounded by flowers, hearts, and peace signs with "Happy Together" printed on them. They had very 60s vibe. We even played the Turtles' "Happy Together" for several of the team building activities during the retreat. At one point in our activities, we broke into a spontaneous sing along to the song. We ended up having a lot of fun tbose 2 days and it did help with morale. Most of us on that team eventually moved on to different jobs, but we still keep in touch and occasionally get together, and we still talk about our "Happy Together" retreat.
And some of us, including me, still have our t-shirts. 😊
What was the background color of the shirt?
A hazy shade of winter, of course.
Careful about admitting that. You might have to pay royalties on that performance.
Cool story. Thx for sharing. 😀
so cool...
The second verse is my favorite lyric in pop history…the entire concept of the line “if I should call you up, invest a dime”…man, that’s the exact feeling you’d get standing in a phone booth when calling the girl you liked. You felt nervous AND fearless putting that coin in the slot & dialing her number. This crystallizes that exact moment like no other.
Aaaaaaaaand now I miss phone booths! 😢
I met a girl online in around 1987 and saved all my quarters to call her several times long distance from a phone booth lol.
@@cygnustsp Online in 1987? Help me out here...
Ahh, phone booths! The privacy not available via the landline at home where prying ears of parents and sibs somehow grew whenever we spoke to a potential romantic partner!
Spent a lot of time in phone booths as my parents didn't want me to tie up the phone for hours.
Thanks for the memory!
I forget about this unusual experience regarding pay phones, that I had back in the 80s. I remember it every 5 years or so. The last time must be about 5 years ago.
It taught me an invaluable lesson that could have ended in a tragedy.
My New wife and I happened to buy a 1978 Chevy Monte Carlo, and 1978 Buick Regal, before we ever met. Not a bad deal, because the drive train and many electrical parts were interchangeable.
I wasn't good about keeping the car neat. And, coins were forever falling out of my pockets, into tight places under the seat, then under Burger King bags into the back seat.
If I needed to make a phone call, or buy a quick burger, I could usually find enough loose change under the seats, or on the rear floor, to do so.
I needed to make a call, and had moved to the rear seat, but wasn't finding any coins.
I was so busy looking for the change, that I didn't realize a man was standing right behind me.
I was startled, and just that quickly, the adrenaline started to flow.
Fortunately, he didn't have any bad intentions. Instead, he only asked me if I had any change to spare.
I told him I needed to make a call at a pay phone. But, I couldn't find enough myself, so I could make the call.
He said,
"No problem. Do you want some change?" Then, he reached into a pocket, pulled out several coins, and gave them to me.
Of things that have surprised me, that story is pretty close to the top.
If he had been meaning to put the drop on me, he probably could have done it.
And, I never imagined that a stranger asking me for money, would be willing to share his, if I needed it.
Ever since then, I made it a point to be more vigilant about what's going on around me, no matter the circumstances.
I'm a musician, and when I play this song, everybody sings along and just lifts the room to a positive place.
So cool! I agree. Thanks Brad!
Same ❤
This song just oozes with positivity.
It has that effect. I only have to play the first couple of notes and the women start singing at our music group. Not bad for a song that nearly didn't make it to the charts...lol
I'm with you, Brad. Over 50 years ago, I played in an acoustic group - at the time we played in coffee houses, and the like. When we played this song, everyone joined in smiling and singing along. It was simply a happy song. We need more like that.
I'm an 80 year old man. My memories of music start in 1955, military days on submarines from 1962-1966 I heard little music. Then my music memories continued upon my discharge. I really like the work you do. Thank you Sir.
"Happy Together" was arranged by Turtles bassist Chip Douglas, who was subsequently asked by Mike Nesmith to produce for the Monkees after they wrested control from Don Kirshner.
And it was downhill from then on…
@@realree8888 Sure was. The Monkees were decent musicians but couldn't write a hit to save their lives.
😭@@em7dim9
😂@@realree8888
@@em7dim9I hope you have a mature-enough ear to appreciate the well-crafted songwriting that Mike Nesmith contributed to their albums, post-Kirshner
This story tells me to never turn down a co-writing credit, no matter how simple the song sounds. It's the simple songs that people remember.
Yes.
U would think this would be obvious!
Talk about fumbling the bag!💰
That the Turtles aren't in the Rock Hall of Fame is a crime against humanity!!
Hey Marty! Check this out!
No Turtles
No Steppenwolf
No Grand Funk Railroad
No Bad Company
No Foreigner
No hall of fame
It's the hall of shame!!!
🤣🤣🤣👍
Also missing Procol Harem and the Moody Blues and Jethro Tull.
@@hariatmakhalsa1648
Unbelievable!!!!!👍
@@Dave-lq2le Ya know all that had a lot to do with Jann Wenner, don't you?
@@harveyabel1354
Yep!!👍
I was 10 years old when me and my family saw the Turtles on the Ed Sullivan Show and then they sang “Happy Together”. Man, was that great! I was hooked. I thought Howard Kalyan looked so cool with the big sideburns and all. I couldn’t wait to grow up and grow my own like his. It was not be though as my beard didn’t turn out to grow thick enough. Still love them Turtles and have some of their original 45 records and one album.
Yes to the Turtles! Overdue! Underrated talents - especially Chip Douglas who arranged their biggest hits and between stints helping the Turtles produced the best Monkees singles (Pleasant Valley Sunday and Daydream Believer) and albums (Headquarters and Pisces… & Jones by the Monkees)- all in about 2 years. Chip is a forgotten legend!
Agreed!
Chip Douglas also produced the first solo album by Linda Ronstadt his then girlfriend.
Agreed! He had a great talent.
Just noticed this! I missed it when I first commented. You said it much better than I did!
The very first time you hear Happy Together you know you just heard a smash hit. Imagine turning down working on this absolute pop classic. I defy anyone to listen to this song and not feel Better, it's like the sun peeking through the clouds. To think this was from a demo so bad nobody wanted is mind blowing. Sheer pop perfection! Great episode professor, I grew up with the turtles on AM radio constantly and glad I did.
I agree! Such a classic!
Credit to The Turtles for their arrangement and performance. The magic ingredient is The Turtles
Hindsight is a most wonderful thing, old boy !
@@JD-eq4dp facts!!
Definitely the song to play when you’re feeling down.
My dad played bass on this cut, as well as arranging the vocals and horns. He came from a very harmony based vocal group, which I believe is credited as being a large part of the huge turn around for the band with this song. You can certainly hear a huge difference in style of the earlier hits versus this song and later cuts, like Elenore, that he was involved in. I believe a large part of the style was his admiration for the Spector wall of sound and the Beach Boys..... I had never heard the story of the demo before, I'll have to ask him about it. Been watching PoR videos a long time, cool to see my dad on one!!!
Chip Douglas? Cool.
Yep, that's him! @@HotRod12667
Your dad, Chip Douglas is an under appreciated rock/pop hero to many including me. His time arranging/producing and performing with The Turtles led to their most enduring hits: Happy Together, Eleanor and You Showed Me. And between it all, his production of The Monkees 3rd and 4th albums - their best work - led to additional classics Pleasant Valley Sunday, Daydream Believer and Girl I Knew Somewhere among others. The drum sound he squeezed out of Monkees Mickey Dolenz alone puts him in the hall of fame.
Next time you talk to your dad, let him know he is remembered, appreciated and revered.
@@bruni2711 I absolutely will.
@@bruni2711Mickey did play drums live but for the studio-cuts mostly "Wrecking Crew" session-players were used and Chip Douglas on bass!
Professor, I just love how you tell your audience the real meaning of a song. It's my pet peeve to hear a song wrongly applied in a movie, a tv show, or an ad. So, thank you!
Like when “Light My Fire” was used to sell Dodge cars.
@@jbrown2553 Exactly!
@@jbrown2553 What about playing 'Hallelujah' on your wedding? The most bitter anti love song one can think of. People are idiots, they hear but don't listen. They watch but don't see.
Thank you for so accurately explaining how a hit song comes to be. This is something I never fully understood that songwriter's write the song, cut a demo and shop it around for bands that might be interested and the interested band rehearses it and brings it to the studio where the instrumentation and the vocals are cut separately and then all spliced together. Very few of the listening audience probably fully understand all of this or how much goes into a hit song.
Some bands have said that they recorded song x, y or z vocals & instrumentation all at once. My guess is that's not the usual way it happens as I've heard many stories from Adam that tell of the vocals and instrumentation being recorded separately. Heck some of the great songs took hours of writing between recording sessions so it really comes down to a song by song basis on how it's done.
My favorite version of this is Boys of Summer being offered to Tom Petty before Don Henley. I still think Petty would’ve absolutely owned that song.
Happy to say that I've had the pleasure and opportunity to see The Turtles live in Chicago in 1969 (with Three Dog Night) and then Flo and Eddy live at a performance with Martin Mull on Chicago's WTTW Soundstage program late 1975. Both were extremely fun to watch, along with the music itself. Every time their songs got played on our car radio, when driving my kids around, I would invariably shout, "I saw them do this LIVE!" My children have learned to forgive me for being so predictable...they like The Turtles too. Good video, as always. Thanks
Pat, in Chicago
Love the back story. The Turtles made some great music. My personal favorite is "Elenore," but "Happy Together" is definitely one of those songs that you just have to sing along to. Can't believe so many bands turned it down. Now it has me wondering how many other hit songs were repeatedly turned down before a band heard its potential and turned it into a hit.
Thanks for watching!
The hilarious thing is Eleanor was supposed to be a joke because the record company was pressuring them to come up with another hit like Happy Together. I love that song too!
So funny, because he really, seriously did hate “Eleanor”, which was the result of a contract dispute. I love hearing it, any song using “et cetera” like that scores big in my book 😄👍🙏🙏
Three.
I mean, imagine turning down this happy song!
Correction: Frank Zappa's version was not a cover version. Let me explain. Right around the time the Turtles broke up, Zappa had disbanded his original lineup of the Mothers of Invention. He recruited 3 of the Turtles to join the new Mothers lineup. Howard Kaylan Mark Volkmann and Jim Pons became Mothers, and when Zappa recorded a live version of happy together at the Fillmore east, that was the 2 main singers for the turtles singing, so its not really a cover, since half the mothers were ex-turtles....
The most profane performance maybe ever. Fantastic
Love Flo and Eddie
Frank Zappa's band was called the "Mothers of Invention" at that time, and it doesn't matter who the members were at that time. The song was played and recorded by a band called the "Mothers of Invention," not "The Turtles." Thus........it is a cover. Just like it was a cover when the Turtles recorded it. The only band who can do a version that is not a cover is The Magicians because they wrote it.
The whole performance of that Mothers gig captured on the Live At Fillmore East record is a lead-up to the song. It starts with a discussion of the notorious Led Zeppelin / Vanilla Fudge "mud shark" incident, goes into several songs about groupies and their "services", followed by a long guitar solo by Zappa, and then leads into a comedy skit where Howard encounters a bunch of groupies (played by the rest of the band) who will only sleep with him if he performs his big hit record "with a bullet" - he obliges by singing Happy Together with full backing by The Mothers, complete with comments like "Everybody sing along, like a big rock show!!!"
@@russallert I was kind of surprised the clip didn't mention the version Flo & Eddie did with The Mothers, as it was very memorable. I wonder if our Professor here is even aware of it??
The late Alan Gordon and Garry Bonner wrote a whole bunch of hits. After “Happy Together” came “She’d Rather Be With Me” charting to #3, followed by “You Know What I Mean” and “She’s My Girl”, both in The Top 15. A little later, they wrote another bit hit, “Celebrate” recorded by Three Dog Night. Many more gems. “Put The Clock Back On The Wall” (The E-Types), “The Cat In The Window” (Petula Clark) and “Small Talk” by Harper’s Bizarre to name a few. Later on, working solo, Alan Gordon wrote “My Heart Belongs To Me”, released by Barbra Streisand. That also hit The Top 5. “Happy Together” is timeless, iconic, infectious. Joe Wissert’s production and Chip Douglas’ contributions - amazing. When you listen to it, the sound of the song really stands out too - credit the engineering of Bruce Botnick. The song has been covered so many times - no one will ever, ever sing it like The Turtles. Another special Turtles song, though lesser known - “Me About You”. Also written by Alan Gordon and Garry Bonner. Right on.
💯 agree.
When I first heard "Me About You" on their greatest hits compilation it blew me away! Great vocals mixed with those horns! That's great music!
"Me About You" was recorded by many artists, but nobody could get a big hit with it! A shame, because it is a great song.
What a great story!
I was 15 in ‘67, and I loved this song then, and still do.
Happy Together is such a fun, uplifting song. And it came at the right time too.
So many people were uptight and angry over counter culture issues, civil rights and the war in Vietnam.
We needed some music to forget all that for a couple of minutes.
That’s why I like the music from ‘63 to ‘67. A lot of fun, feel good songs and Happy Together was, and still is one of the best!!
Another great tune from my childhood. I grew up in the 60's and developed a taste for harder-edged, bluesy rock as a teen. I still love good music if it has great licks, lyrics, and harmonies. Happy Together does all of those for me.
The song has hooks, which is all we need!
We played it Dec. 30 as the bride and groom left the altar after the kiss! It is a favorite of many!
I was skeptical when you said everyone loves this song, but you’re right. I remember the first time I heard it on a San Francisco radio station. I was 10 years old and riding in the back of a station wagon a friend’s older sister was driving. It was night and raining and there was an argument between us kids as to who was the better drummer, Dennis Wilson or Ringo Starr. Then this song came on. We all shut up and anxiously waited for the DJ to tell us what we just heard. Wow. What a time to be alive.
That is a cool memory! Did you hear it on KYA or KFRC?
I was fortunate enough to play this with Mark and Howard on Philly morning radio.
Love this song ; brings back memories of school in 1967 ; Happy Together peaked at 18 in June here in Australia ; their second top 40 entry ;It Ain`Tt Me Babe peaked at 38 in Oct 1965;;; Elenore is Turtles biggest hit peaking at 8 in in Dec 1968
THanks Peter!
Elenore is delightful.
Thank you for giving the gift of music back to all of us. It’s really great to hear the backstories of songs we grew up hearing.
I love your videos! I grew up in the country (very rural). Many songs on the radio were a complete mystery because the local djs would never announce the song’s name or the band so I still have no idea what song was sang by who unless my parents had it on vinyl or 8-track. I’m still learning who these bands are. Thanks bro
I was 14 when this hit the air waves, what a great song in the day and what’s great song to this day. Just yet another example of how great the music scene was then. As well another great segment put together for all of us to watch, thanks for that.😎🍺☮️
Thanks for listening!
Lovely song. You just can't help singing along to it. Interesting story behind the song. Cheers from Ottawa, Canada🍁
Thanks for listening Gio!
Cheers to you, Gio!
Just goes to show that song does not have to be "complicated" to be good or popular. Some of biggest songs are as simple as can be and a song being simple never did anyone any harm. Especially if it is going to go on to sell millions. Great story and a lesson for anybody who ever writes a sing. Never turn down a writing credit. You never know where it might lead!!!
'Happy Together' has beautiful harmonies with great sound and excellent vibes for all fans to embrace and relish. The 1960s were happy times no doubt.
Well said! I agree. What a great time. So much great music!
The most revolutionary decade in music history.
Somewhat Beach Boys like
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
Ah, the 70 when God gave us hard rock. Yes! Wink
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Apart from the 1800s
One of your great videos, Adam! Here in Boston, there used to be a nightclub named "The Channel" (located on Fort Point Channel) where you could see all kinds of great bands, from emerging local bands to bands that time forgot. I went there on numerous occasions in the 1980s (when I was in my 20s).. I remember seeing Bachman Turner Overdrive, John Entwistle (bassist for the Who) along with Flo and Eddie. In addition to being really funny guys who did some stand-up comedy, they performed all the Turtles' hits.
Oh my! I was Lime Chiffon in my dance studios performance of that Strawberry Shortcake movie! Complete with a giant green wig. Happy together is perfection! The build up, the flirty way it's sung, the harmonies. Perfection!
What a cool memory! Did you do the songs for the cartoon?
Yes. We had the Purple Pie Man and little wooden cut-outs of their houses that we popped out from behind lol!
Ha ha! Awesome!@@user-og1rv6sr8e
The Turtles! Another great 60's band! I hope the young people today that haven't heard the Turtles go back and check out their hits!! They sure had some big ones!!
Thanks Professor!!
😎👍
NO question! Such a great catalog. What's your faves by them?
@ProfessorofRock
I liked Elenore and She'd Rather Be With Me as well. You Showed Me was pretty good too!! Hard to beat Happy Together though!!
Thanks again!!
I love Elenore! So good!@@Dave-lq2le
@@ProfessorofRock
Indeed!!!👍
So many great songs, make the time, and enjoy!
Howard Kaylan had one of the best voices of the 60’s.
Plus drummer Johny Barbata was so slick that when they were in Ed Sullivan or Smothers Brothers, they had an individual camera on him.
Don't discount Mark's voice either.
I put Kaylan in my top ten all-time vocalists easily!
Love the content. Back in the late 80s, the morning crew at WMMR in Philly used to have a "live" week where they would broadcast live from a venue in downtown Philly. And along with a fantastic house cover band, would invite all of these musical guests to perform. One morning, Flo and Eddie were the guests. It was so much fun. They did all their hits. And had us all cracking up. Such a sense of humor. Especially when, right at the end, Flo yells "OK everybody sings the Bah Bah's !" Great appearence.
Elenore is an interesting story in itself when the record company demanded they try to clone another #1 hit they sarcastically wrote lines like "youre my pride and joy etcetera". Surprisingly the execs loved it and it did become a hit.
I always had to roll my eyes at that line. I was thinking really, you couldn’t think of anything else? I guess the joke was over my head then.
😅
Flo and Eddie - great guys! Met them years ago and my autographed tie dyed T-shirt is one of my prized possessions. Love the Turtles music.
So cool. Where'd you meet them?
It was at one of those 60s reunion shows - Herman's Hermits, the Grass Roots, The Turtles. I seem to recall Flo and Eddie were the only ones to stay and sign autographs (but poor Rob Grill who I adored) had just had hip surgery.@@ProfessorofRock
So cool! Thanks for sharing!@@cjpew
Awesome!
More than 50 years had passed and this song is still impactful today as it was first time released.
Almost SIXTY!!😬😬😬
As always, your videos are very informative, thorough and intertaining. Great attention to detail.
Thank you again for another great one.
Saw Flo & Eddie (Howard & Mark) in concert. Their sense of humor and having fun on stage was infectious. Loved them.
They joined Frank Zappa Mothers on the Filmore..
I was in the 8th grade and there was no one I knew didn't love "Happy Together". After all these years, I still have the '45' ... scratches and all. 🙃
Great video! A couple of other reasons this track was such a hit: firstly it's production. They were fortunate enough to have access to a state-of-the-art 8-track tape recorder which drastically improved the sound-quality & reduced the number of bounce-downs needed to fit all the parts in. To put that into perspective, The Beatles were forced into using 4-track recorders until well into '68. 1967's, for instance, Sgt Pepper was recorded on pair of 4-tracks synchronised by a 50hz tone. The second reason were the horn & vocal arrangements by Chip Douglas. They are simply perfect for the record & lift it to another level.
We tend to forget that back then digital production didn't exist.
Love this episode! Thank you! ☮️♥️
❤🎉❤🎉
THE TURTLES!
Happy Together is an earworm of a song. Catchy.
Hard to believe this was their last chance with a song that no one wanted. Music is funny like that.
Thanks Professor!
Love your vids on 60s music.
Better than a butt worm
Thanks Roger!
Imagine. Nobody wanted this earworm. Hard to believe.
Flo and Eddie sprinkled in magic.
No question! Have you see them live?
And Mud Shark!
Love their backing vocals on many T-Rex songs.
I heard HAPPY TOGETHER in the summer of 1967 on Radio Luxemburg while camping in a barn full of bats in Northern Ireland... stuck with me since and made me love ELENORE and SHE'D RATHER BE WITH ME as well. Those three songs are now at the heart of the second half of my SWINGING SIXTIES show. I love performing them and everyone loves hearing them.
I've seen them on their Happy Together tour multiple times and the word joyful describes their music, as well as the two of them, perfectly. You didn't mention what they refer to as their most recent hit, and last, 1968's You Showed Me. It has a quintessential 60's quality to it, and a GREAT backstory. It was written by Jim McGuin (actually Roger McGuin of the Byrds, but he changed his name later, for a very bizarre reason!) Due to an issue with the keyboard instrument they were using, they had to slow it down and, in so doing, hit on a perfect rendition that became a classic!
Mark & Howard provided the backing vocals for the Psychedelic Furs 1982 album Forever Now which contained the single Love My Way . Great album !
@bakedzale Thanks for that tidbit!!
FLO N EDDIE
Also backing vocals on a LOT of T.Rex songs!
"Bang A Gong," for one. Also Bruce Springsteen's "Hungry Heart."
@@williamashton9235 - Wow, I did not know about "Hungry Heart." Thanks
I was in a band for decades. It’s one of the few songs we never took out of the set list. People always loved it.
Great episode by the way. The Turtles are so often overlooked. Their drummer was extremely good as well.
What a Great Band! Thanks for doing this!
Our pleasure!
I really appreciate the great stories you bring us about the most memorable songs in our lives.
sitting around with friends the other night and started strumming the chords to this tune, instantly everybody at the table bursted into singing it. we sang it a few times in a row. lots of fun. great one.
Thank you! it’s about time that the great Flo & Eddie got recognized on this show. They’ve hit the big time!
I've always loved The Turtles "It Ain't Me Babe!!" "Happy Together" is a classic! You're right - how can you NOT sing along with it?!?
That was a Great Reveal of an Iconic song that captured the feeling of a generation...Thank You!
After watching a few of your videos, I began to realize how deeply embedded these songs are in my heart, then seeing the oh so interesting stories behind them makes me appreciate them and your channel. New sub here.
I'm still baffled that pretty much all the members of The Turtles ended up becoming members of Frank Zappa and the Mothers.
Happy Together was always played in the morning before school, and to this day when i hear it the memories flood in, its a classic track.
This is a great story I never knew about a song I really cannot resist singing along to. It just makes me smile. Thank you for sharing.
I always loved the "How is the weather?" line.
I’m 65 and can’t remember not knowing this song. Kinda like ‘You Are My Sunshine’.
So true!
For me, it’s “Billie Jean”.
Another great vid Prof.This song is like instant sunshine, and lifted the spirits of everyone when it came out. It was a part of a very happy and optimistic output from that lovely generation. I was a young kid but the songs 'Penny Lane', the groups Mamas and the Papas, Herb Alpert...You get the picture! We were so lucky to have ears then.
Just one Nit. Al Nichol went to high school with Mark , and Howard when his family moved to California. Those three not only were in the Crossfires together, but were the only three constant members of the Turtles. I remember getting the You Baby album first from the Columbia Record Club. Happy Together was a no brainer as far as buying it. Thanks for this video.
Another really really Goode one..thank you..!!
Flo and Eddie are great!! You sort of understated their importance. They have provided so many awesome background vocals and their own records are great and hilarious!! The turtles are good as well.
I remember watching them on Ed Sullivan Show. We always watched Sullivan, and I always looked forward to the band/musical guests. 💜👍😎
They were so good on Sullivan!
....I became a lover of TOP HATS, because of that Dude! .....I got LOOKS, but I didn't care....STILL don't! ...ha-HAA!
Sullivan introduced a lot of people to the Beatles!
supposed to be a tease. and pull you along to find out the answer but it’s youtube and the attention span says “forget it. i’m out.”.
I got to know and talk with the original bassist (he is a friend's relative). Sadly we mostly talked about other bands he got to meet and tour with. Though I can confirm that they were very nonchalant and goodhearted and not the type to take themselves seriously (almost to a self-depricating and self-destructive degree). However he told me that the name was a joke, with them being the punchline. He said it was a play on the Beatles and that they were joking that they were the "fat Beatles", hence "Turtles"!
Love this song! The harmonies are some of the best of the 60s. Their take on "Eve of Destruction" is another great one...
Professor, how about some Al Stewart? Prrrrrease???😺😺
I agree!
@@ProfessorofRock Roads to Moscow even though it's ridiculously long.
Thanks for going back to the '60s!! Wow, what songs were made. These were so good. Do you ever dip your toe in the water of the late 50s, early 60s like with Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers? Love it! Thanks for bringing some great memories back.
Just discovered your channel.....Love, love, love...it!
So much fun, thanks Professor!
Refused a writing credit? On such a classic song? To quote Bugs Bunny, "What a maroon".
Ha! Crazy right?
He should’ve done it!
Whenever I hear that many bands heard the song before anyone realized it's greatness or ability to be a hit saddens me to think how many great songs have been overlooked or lost???😢😢
Like mine. Oh, well...!
I hear ya!
Another great video. enjoyed it. Great track, 😀
The lyrics flow beautifully, the Turtles arrangement really knocks it out of the park and the engineering is perfect. Great narration, btw! I just wish we could hear the original demo. :)
I love the turtles. My favorite song by them is Eleanor. One of the 1960's best bands. I love the 1960's and 1970's episodes the best.
Cool! Thanks Wayne! What would you like to see next?
@@ProfessorofRock Quarterflash with there song Nightshift from the 1982 Ron Howard movie named Nightshift.
I will try to get an interview!@@waynevia6976
Great song indeed.
Insanely catchy and melodic. “You Know What I Mean” from the same album might be even more melodic.
Such a great song and story Professor!🤘🔥
Your show is awesome!!!😊
When I saw Flo and Eddie in concert they were the opening act for Stephen Stills. Later, when Stills came out for his encore, they joined him and did a perfect rendition of Suite: Judy Blue Eyes. It was magical.
They were with Frank Zappa for a bit, as well.
i spend most of my listening time with hard rock, heavy metal or prog rock/metal but this song has always been one of my favorite songs and always will be. it might be simple but damn if it isnt beautiful and emotionally uplifting.
Bravo, boys!
I agree about the desire to sing along being very strong! I would like to know more about the orchestration at the end. The horn blasting thru the vocals has always given a liberating and uplifting sensation to me whenever I hear this I the radio!
Was that a common way to build a pop song at that time?
Very curious to know. Thanks for all you do with this channel!
❤😁
Thanks PoR for doing this video on The Turtles. You mentioned their song "Grim Reaper Of Love." What many people probably don't know is that Al Nicol used the
great sounding electric sitar in this one. People might also want to check out The Turtles last real good hit song "Love In The City" which was released in Oct.'69.
Other really good Turtles hit songs for you newbies and older Turtles fans who may not have ever heard these before are: 1) Can I Get To Know You Better
2) Is It Any Wonder 3) So Goes Love 4) Outside Chance 5) It Was A Very Good Year 6) Let The Cold Winds Blow 7) A Walk In The Sun 8) You Showed Me
9) You Know What I Mean. Enjoy!
I happened to see the Turtles in Syracuse when I was fifteen. They were a part of a package tour featuring the Buckinghams and a couple of other acts from the Sixties whom I can't really remember.
How were they?
@@ProfessorofRock They weren't bad.
Cool!@@josephcooter5763
When?
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Back in the summer of 1985 in Syracuse at the now torn down Macarthur Stadium. It was a good show that my mom took me and my younger brother too. How she got the tickets I don't know. But the three of us ended up going. My dad didn't go becuase he wasn't into rock music. He perfered Folk Artists like Woody Gutherie and Peter, Paul and Mary.
Happy Together, will be with us for eternity. Such an infectious, feel good song. You can't help but turn up the volume when it comes on. The kind of song you play repeatedly. Not too many words, but the few they use are complete magic. We can all relate to the thought of being with the object of our desire. It's a song of hope and dreaming. The kind of song that new generations listen to and adapt as their own.
Totally infectious!
The chorus represents finally fulfilling a dream.
Thank you so much for all that wonderful information.about a fabulous group. I must investigate The Turtles further.
One of my all time favorite songs. Simple but beautiful. I first heard it in the back of a Plymouth station wagon as my family traveled across country. So long ago. Loved it ever since.
I love those Turtles hits, so happy and upbeat. But you forgot one that was very popular and more of a pretty ballad - You Showed Me, which was their last real hit (Billboard #6 and #1 in Canada).
When this song came out, I spent my dollar allowance and purchased the 45, which costs a!dollar. I believe this was in 1967 and I was in sixth grade. I played it everyday and my mom got tired of it, but I didn't.
Great episode Professor! That song came back into my life watching the Minions movie with my son. It’s a big hit with him, with several plays in the car.
I forgot how much fun this song is. Thanks Adam!
I was in high school when the song came out, I've always loved it. I was lucky to see the first Flo & Eddie Happy Together tour, with Gary Pucket, the Grassroots, Gary Lewis & more. It was a little disappointing at the end because the finale was engineered to have moments of inspiration and spontaneity that were all really carefully rehearsed. Bot overall, it was a great night to re-live a part of my youth.
Very cool! Where'd you see it?
When did you see the tour?
Wow, the first Happy Together tour was maybe 25 years ago! So the songs were about 25 YO even then 😆 They’ve been almost annual since, with a couple small breaks. Many of the performers come back year after year.
I love seeing those stars “today,” (whenever today is) and how they’re doing. Gary Puckett was on this summer, and still sounds good. And yea, Mark Volman is still there, and god love him, seems to be having a great time. Everybody loves him! Howard Kalyan stopped performing several years ago due to health issues.
But the stars’ performance is extremely prescribed-they have to do those certain songs, and do them just like the original.
I get it; that’s what a lot of audiences want. I still have to think a little more flexibility would be nice, especially for the performers who are out most nights all summer/early fall.
The Grim Reaper of Love is one of my favorite 60s songs ever.
Great choice!
I love your shirt, Professor! Anytime you wanna talk abt that band and that album, I'll gratefully watch.
Incredible song, and at the same time, Elenore is the bee's knees for me! I can listen to Elenore, and have, back to back, over and over, and over, soaking in the lyrics. I know the story behind it, pretty funny to hear. Great work, and as always, thank you Professor for a fun and interesting session! :)
One of the best songs!!! When I hear the first notes I turn it up and everyone starts singing it. I had no idea about the drama behind its creation. Another great lesson. Thanx Professor!❤
It's so good!
I was 8 when that song (Happy Together) came out. I had a crush on a girl but was to too scared to approach her, let alone talk to her. So everytime she came near me I'd start singing Happy Together quietly to myself hoping she would ask what I was singing. Nothing came of it and later someone told me she thought I was a "little odd" singing to myself. Talk about backfire ..lol.
At least she remembered you.😅
@@2352anne I'm just damn glad I wasn't singing out of key ... lol. Yup remembered me for all of 5 sec.
Awesome as usually professor 🎵 🎸 👍
Rock on!