In my opinion, Kaylan had one of the best voices in pop history. One of the best 60s bands. I hope you go into one of their last lps, Turtle Soup. Produced by none other than Ray Davies. Somewhere Friday Night and You Don't Have To Walk In The Rain are great. And then to continue with the name Flo and Eddie. Moving Targets is a great album. I think they were somewhat underrated.
Oh ya. Signature vocalist and the 2-3 part harmonies from the other members really well done, not just complimentary but seriously enhancing without overwhelming..... Found that story about Lennon amusing. Implausible, hyperbolic. Did Keith Richards quit when his hero Chuck Berry decked him, laid him out on the pavement when he'd approached him as a "fan", Berry thinking he was a possible Mugger, Crazy Person? Countless examples of similar..... Nice followup to Part 1 Matt, looking forward to Part 3. Had no idea about a considerable amount of their history so edifying, quite fascinating.
Thank you, Scott. Yeah that Lennon story is the only other story practically told about the Turtles, so I thought it was time to take the piss out of it. More to come!
@@timothyflyte9443 One commenter mentioned that Nichol ended up with an alcohol problem but that doesn't explain much. As one of the only 3 to last the span of the band, it's too bad more wasn't heard from him.
Howard Kaylan was the oldest looking 20-year-old in rock ‘n’ roll history. He was prematurely gray as early as 1966 and the addition of his mustache aged him about 10 extra years
It’s too bad that Just For Men was not available in 1968. Although, that other hair dye, Grecian Formula, was probably around back then. The advertiser stated that you could “gradually remove the gray from your hair.” Yeah, like no one’s going to notice that you changed from being the hoary Gabby Hayes to the youthful Ricky Nelson in over just a couple of weeks!
@@michaelrochester48 I know that both Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman (and also Terry Kirkman of The Association) performed with the late, great Frank Zappa in The Mothers of Invention. But, on one of their albums, didn’t Frank Zappa write to say, “Our manager told us that if we practice real hard, we’ll be as good as The Turtles”? In any event, Mr. Zappa was as witty and amusing as Messrs. Kaylan and Volman are.
They were also great as FM radio hosts on K-Rock in NYC. I think Flo and Eddie came on in the afternoon right after the unfailingly self-effacing Howard Stern. One day, they played William Shatner’s “classic” and extremely “heartfelt” rendition of “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” About halfway through William Shatner’s poignant performance, Howard Kaylan quipped, “Boy, does Shatner ever need Leonard Nimoy now.” I miss Howard and Mark on the radio.
You showed me reminds me of The Kinks - This Strange effect. hands down. mood and string hits on the guitar. Smooth Matt. Howard sang with Passon i believe.
You Showed Me and The Kinks This Strange Effect (I also like the Dave Berry's version👍) Are two great Psychedelic Love Songs!!! -as I read your post I thought Id share about a CD compilation I made of Psychedelic Love Songs I recorded years ago with these 2 songs which also included Norwegian Wood-The Beatles, Lady Jane- The Rolling Stones, Today- Jefferson Airplane, Indian Summer- The Doors, Lalena- Donovan, Guinevere- Crosby, Stills & Nash, Wizard of is-Pearls Before Swine, Hello its Me- The Nazz, Orange Skies- Love, May This Be Love- Jimi Hendrix, Pretty Ballerina- The Left Banke, Got A Feeling- The Mamas & Papas, Kites- Simon Dupree & The Big Sound, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme- Simon & Garfunkel, I Cant See Your Face in My Mind- The Doors, Drifting- Jimi Hendrix, Long, Long, Long- The Beatles, Coming Back To Me- Jefferson Airplane, Nights in White Satin- The Moody Blues, Have You Ever Been(Electric Ladyland) -Jimi Hendrix.
One special track in "The Battle Of The Bands" album is "Earth Anthem", with its simple and emotional message about "our home, third from the sun". The vocal arrangements and the trumpet sound are very good. For me, an underrated track from that Turtles' album.
Wow that LSD is a funny drug both inspiring and destructive. You can certainly hear it in the Turtles music. Can't You Hear the Cows being exhibit A. I love it !
Just like part one, thank you! BATTLE OF THE BANDS is one of my all-time favorite albums by any band! And the GREATEST HITS VOLUME TWO is the first Turtles elpee I ever bought, out of a cut-out rack at a little store in Denver called The Wizard of Watts, which sold records and also stereo equipment. This would have been about 1972 or 3. Cool store! Cool record!
I love these album-by-album career retrospectives. A lot of channels have similar ideas, but you present it in exactly the right way. I like how you analyze the lineup changes, which are very important to understanding a band's change of direction or sound. You always get me in the mood to rummage through my collection to play stuff I had filed away years ago, and I always discover new things when I do.
Thank you, that is a high compliment. There are stories to be told that go beyond the music so I try to incorporate those into these videos. Thanks so much for watching!
I gre up in the 60s and I'm a fan of the Turtles. I have their greatest hits in my vinyl collection and have attended several of their Happy Together Tours. Great job with your reviews. Brings back many memories.
This really is an exceptional quality retrospective on a band I've always been interested in knowing more about. Thank you for these musical history lessons.
My Dinner with Jimi was written by Howard Kaylan and is a movie about The Turtles and their trip to England. It is a good movie and made me laugh. I give it three thumbs up. 😊
I like your videos about these groups from the sixties...I grew up with them,I was 11 years old when I started watching them...The Turtles were one of my favorities....I loved Elenor the most...
I have enjoyed so many of your videos over the Time I've known about your channel. I want to thank you so much for all the wonderful knowledge you've shared with us. I rarely write comments, but I thought it was important to let you know how much I have enjoyed the amazing musical history you have provided us. So thank you again Matt. I for one think you are totally AMAZING!!!!
Very well done! I do think that Howard Kaylan had a great and recognizable voice - just perfect for all those hit songs. They had more than many people remember. Thanks Matt.
This is a great refresher course on the Turtles! Plus, I'm learning a bunch of new things about them. They had a boat load of hits! Thanks for waking me up. Looking forward to part 3.
"Sound Asleep" (1968) was actually The Turtles first effort to write something like "Happy Together" in the Bonner-Gordon Style as requested by White Whale, similar to The Rolling Stones being locked away in a Hotel Room by Andrew Loog Oldham to start writing their own songs. The results are quite different: “Satisfaction." Love the way The Turtles slowed down the original uptempo "rushed" Byrds (Clark-McGuinn) version of "You Showed Me" to Adagio, using the harmonium, cellos, violins, violas, etcetera, compliments of Douglas Farthing Hatlelid. Nice to see and hear Chip Douglas come full circle, from Turtles' Bass Player, and sometimes arranger, to Turtles' Producer. Matt, thank you for honoring and respecting The Turtles who are often overlooked in the Pantheon of American Sixties Bands, inexcusably mainly known for the way overplayed "Happy Together." Still waiting for Wes Anderson to use a Turtles Song, maybe "She's My Girl" or "Eleanore” or “You Showed Me" in an upcoming movie. Did You Know? • The Turtles were originally named The Tyrtles by White White Whale Records, à la The Beatles. • The Turtles hated their (slow-moving name) imposed on them by White Whale Records who The Turtles also hated. • “Happy Together” was also arranged by Chip Douglas. • "The Turtles: Happy Together" (1991) documentary you referenced is 90 minutes long and highly recommended for all Turtles' Fans. The hilarious "management sequence" is approximately 15 minutes. • The Turtles released 3 more Bonner-Gordon songs in 1967, All Hits! "She'd Rather Be With Me" "You Know What I Mean" "She's My Girl" Only “A Guide for the Married Man” Theme Song from the equally inane movie, flopped. I think "levity and humor" are accurate nouns describing The Turtles studio and stage presence. Maybe had The Turtles taken themselves a bit more seriously, music histology and the music world would remember The Turtles in a more serious manner. But then The Turtles wouldn't have been The Turtles we love.
Imagine that. A band having legal and managerial issues!! Who woulda thunk it. :-) I agree with you Matt, Howard had one of the best voices in pop music. Looking forward to Part 3. Cheers, RNB
Battle of the Bands was a fun album. It seemed like a comedy album with "I'm King Come on I wanna lay ya" and Surfer Dan but there were some really solid numbers - I loved Earth Anthem and You Showed Me.
As always, very enjoyable 60's band videos (both parts 1 and 2). Hoping that part 3 will include the "Flo and Eddie" stuff - have a comment or two about that whole situation/fiasco, but will save for the next chapter. I know there are countless stories of artists feeling screwed over by their record/management companies, but The Turtles treatment has to be in the top 10 of awfulness!
Really enjoying your series on one of of my favorite bands...never get enough of the turtles...thanks for the time spent digging...luv your channel...always so interesting and INFORMATIVE!!
Loved the Turtles. Their "Battle of the Bands" album is still an all-time favorite. I always appreciated the fact that they were pretending to be all those different bands, and did it so well.
I foolishly wrote a few months ago that beyond The Beatles I wasn’t sure how much I would watch your podcast. Now, I have had almost too much Beatles content and have been enjoying your presentations of other groups. Thanks Matt.
Definitely one of my favorite 60's bands. The great singles are so good and some of the lesser known ones sound good today. I think the management issues certainly hurt them and this video makes a good point about their self-producing. Some of their less successful singles like "Sound Asleep" and "The Story of Rock n Roll" would have benefited from better production. I also agree that the vocals were such a key part of their successful. Howard Kaylan had one of the most instantly recognizable voices that doesn't sound like anyone else. For me it was their identity in a similar way that Burton Cummings voice defined the Guess Who.
Elenore, gee, I think your swell And you really do me well I guess J. Edgar Hoover was burned out from chasing Louie Louie and decided whatever I'm done! The genie is out of the bottle!! 😳😳😳 Really have enjoyed the first 2 parts so far. I've learned alot. I have acouple best of 💿 cd's. I've seen that video of them going over all there managers and how they were screwed over. Hilarious 😂!!
Loving this. I recently discovered The Turtles and The Association and the coverage on this channel has been fantastic. I'm only a baby at 54 so forgive my ignorance of these amazing bands.
Holy lightning Batman - I had the rudiments of "Sound of Sleep" running in my head since the first time I heard it on WLS at the age of 12. Thanks for connecting the dots and now I can fully enjoy it again.
Wow, I haven’t heard “Umbassa the Dragon” in nearly fifty years! I remember being in a record store in NYC with some grade school classmates on a Saturday morning in NYC after taking the entrance exam for some of the Catholic high schools in the Big Apple like Xavier High School, Power Memorial Academy and Rice High School. Anyway, when I spotted The Turtles’ latest 45 RPM record in the store, I bought it and rushed up to the always stylish and upscale Port Authority Bus Terminal on Eighth Avenue and 42nd Street for the bus ride back to New Jersey. When I got home, I quickly put the record on the turntable, put the stylus in the first groove to let it wail (like the disc jockey said in that famous tv commercial back then) and heard Howard Kaylan (I think) start to sing, “Umbassa come to slay the dragon!” with the rest of the guys in the band grunting and growling in the background. My father walked into my room and asked me if I had purchased a Tarzan record with Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O’Sullivan on the 45 record. After all these years, I have to agree that “Umbassa the Dragon” does sound like a cut from the original soundtrack of “Tarzan, The Ape Man.”
@@popgoesthe60s52 You know, the song, being seen in 2022’s light, is somewhat politically-incorrect. But, I’m reminded what the late, great Terry Kath of Chicago once said, in a moment of slight hubris, about that group’s recordings: “We could f@rt and people would still buy the record.” Sorry, Mr. Kath, but I think the public will draw the line on an album of recorded flatulence.
Excellent content Matt. I never really liked the Turtles but of course their story is fascinating. I think Eleanor is one of the best non-Beatles Beatlesque songs ever!
Love you reading style and typed notes. Your collection looks very cool, and likely based on your personal tastes, yes? I'm former radio trying to join your video ranks. The Turtles blend pop orchestral sounds as well as any group, even on their clunkers. They are an important band. Some of their sound is heard in early Sparks, especially lyrics and upbeat pop feel. The sound is unmistakable.
One forgets that Jim Pons also sang backing vocals with the Turtles-the “Elenore” live performance shows that he did (he sang some lead vocals with the Leaves,…) 🙂🎶👍
To See the Sun is currently my favorite Turtles track. I can listen to it over and over again. It's not commercial, but I think it's the band at their most musically accomplished.
I heard Kaylan speaking of this alleged incident between Lennon n Tucker in a couple different interviews of him. Both interviews he was definitely in his 70's then. I thought "why would u even say something like that, and having a much bigger platform than Tucker had?" I thought that was sort of low. And something was off about it. I'm glad to hear Tucker's side of the story here. Alright Matt! 👍🙂 These are good man.
Glad to see you are covering this band, Matt, in a 3-parter no less! It’s also great to see, in this and other videos, you showing us the actual record sleeves. Very interesting, keep up the great work.👏
Really enjoyed part two Matt, Excellent! Your decision to expand to part three is totally welcomed and deserved of The Turtles output. One quick humorous note: I noticed just recently while watching their 1967 Ed Sullivan Show clip of “She’d Rather Be With Me,” that Al’s guitar strap breaks in the middle of the song, right after Howard sings “She Don’t Fly Although She Can.” Can you imagine that happening to you on live TV, on the biggest coast-to-coast variety show of the era? It’s funny seeing him from then on always looking around to see if anyone noticed, as well as continually lifting the guitar up to continue playing. The clip can easily be found here on UA-cam. Looking forward to your part three installment. You have a great channel. These bands like the ones you cover really deserve more credit. Thanks. :- )
I always found it kinda ironic and fitting how in the movie "Pirate Radio" (one of my favorite rock films), Nick Frost is kind of dressed up and reminiscent-looking of Mark Volman and during the "Eleanor" music montage he even looks like a Mark Volman singing along w/the high falsettos. One of the highlights of that film. Absolutely fun and brilliant!
The Monkees are on my list and that will be a longer one. I have a couple other of the 'bigger' bands in front of the Monkees, but I will certainly get to them. They are one of my favorites.
@@popgoesthe60s52 Awesome! Nice to hear as they just get bigger and more appreciated as time goes on. I beg to add however that only the Beatles and Rolling Stones were bigger than the Monkees in the 60’s Beach Boys maybe fourth. 😀 If you ask anyone to name 5 groups from the 60’s The Monkees are always in there.
@@videogemsproductions Well to prime the pump, the bands I was referring to are the Byrds, Beach Boys, and Jefferson Airplane, so in my book, all heavy hitters.
@@popgoesthe60s52 for sure 100% not to mention The Kinks, The Who, The Rascals, The Hollies, The Raiders, Mamas & Papas, early Pink Floyd, early Bee Gees, The Searchers, the Spoonful, Beau Brummells, Yardbirds, Motown and I can go on and on as I love just about everyone from the 60’s. It’s just that popularity wise The Monkees only come third to the Beatles and Stones went you ask general public to name a band from the 60’s. I also find that The Monkees are top 5 when it comes to their songbook ….so deep and it stands the test of time. Again, when it comes to album sales and great album tracks they are up there with The Beatles 👍🏻 hope you end up doing all the bands even The Left Banke…..I will watch them all 😀
I've never really dived to deeply into their music, but after seeing these I'm looking forward to part three and hearing more of The Turtles. I have a single of Happy Together and the B side is one of my favourite songs: Like the Seasons. Just a very pretty song which I listened to over and over when I flipped that single and found it.
Great part 2 Matt! I read the Howard Kalyan story about John Lennon in the club….hearing your telling doesn’t make it seem quite as bad (about Lennon) than when I originally heard it. They do have some great music that people need to hear as they are so much more than the group that did Happy Together! Thanks for sharing!
I've never heard some of these Turtles tracks before. I'm stunned by their range of material. Unfortunately, most of it is pretty crummy. But when a good song comes along, man, they can nail it. Thank you for making part three, just for ME!
Hi Matt, looking forward to part 3 of the Turtles. Parts 1 and 2 were terrific. I’m 70 years old and lived through all of this great music. I didn’t know all the facts about the band that you spoke about. This is why your channel is brilliant. Another great band from that time worth looking in to was the Buckinghams. Always love your music analysis, it’s always well written and researched. All the best, Matt. Wishing you a happy and healthy 2022.
Hey Philip - thank you for watching and for suggesting the Buckinghams, who are very underrated. I hope to tackle them soon and cross them off my very long list!
Don't stop now, Matt! It's amazing to learn so much after many years of being an avid fan of the "sixties pop sound" which was spearheaded by groups as The Turtles. I didn't know at the age of 5 ( 1966 ) what those songs may have been composed about but they remain a part of the proverbial soundtrack of my life. Hope to share my Nilsson mems with you at some Point... I did not know that The Turtles recorded One of his tracks. Cheers!
Thanks for this.. Very timely as I'm currently listening to the audiobook version of Howard Kaylan's, Shell Shocked: My life with the Turtles, Flo & Eddie and Frank Zappa etc. Howard reads it himself. Great documentary. Can't wait for pt.3 👍
In my opinion, Kaylan had one of the best voices in pop history. One of the best 60s bands. I hope you go into one of their last lps, Turtle Soup. Produced by none other than Ray Davies. Somewhere Friday Night and You Don't Have To Walk In The Rain are great. And then to continue with the name Flo and Eddie. Moving Targets is a great album. I think they were somewhat underrated.
Thanks for commenting, Rick - more to come in part 3!
Actually, for me, Elenore is just hilarious, and the best lyric is “your looks intoxicate me, even though your folks hate me”
Johnny Barbata, first drummer to use two high hat set-ups on his kit, ahead of his time!
#jersey
Howard could really sing. Enjoyed this, looking forward to part 3.
Oh ya. Signature vocalist and the 2-3 part harmonies from the other members really well done, not just complimentary but seriously enhancing without overwhelming..... Found that story about Lennon amusing. Implausible, hyperbolic. Did Keith Richards quit when his hero Chuck Berry decked him, laid him out on the pavement when he'd approached him as a "fan", Berry thinking he was a possible Mugger, Crazy Person? Countless examples of similar..... Nice followup to Part 1 Matt, looking forward to Part 3. Had no idea about a considerable amount of their history so edifying, quite fascinating.
Thank you, Scott. Yeah that Lennon story is the only other story practically told about the Turtles, so I thought it was time to take the piss out of it. More to come!
@@timothyflyte9443 One commenter mentioned that Nichol ended up with an alcohol problem but that doesn't explain much. As one of the only 3 to last the span of the band, it's too bad more wasn't heard from him.
You showed Me is among my favorite pop songs
A Beautiful Psychedelic Love song👍 My favorite also by The Turtles.
Howard Kaylan was the oldest looking 20-year-old in rock ‘n’ roll history. He was prematurely gray as early as 1966 and the addition of his mustache aged him about 10 extra years
It’s too bad that Just For Men was not available in 1968. Although, that other hair dye, Grecian Formula, was probably around back then.
The advertiser stated that you could “gradually remove the gray from your hair.” Yeah, like no one’s going to notice that you changed from being the hoary Gabby Hayes to the youthful Ricky Nelson in over just a couple of weeks!
@@kensellers4082 I didn’t think Howard turned full-blown gray until the mid-70s right after his time with Frank Zappa
@@michaelrochester48
I know that both Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman (and also Terry Kirkman of The Association) performed with the late, great Frank Zappa in The Mothers of Invention. But, on one of their albums, didn’t Frank Zappa write to say, “Our manager told us that if we practice real hard, we’ll be as good as The Turtles”?
In any event, Mr. Zappa was as witty and amusing as Messrs. Kaylan and Volman are.
@@michaelrochester48 Zappa was brilliant but he could turn anyone grey
Flo and Eddie had the finest voices in Pop Music. Their songs were extremely Radio-friendly, and I mean that as a compliment...
They were also great as FM radio hosts on K-Rock in NYC. I think Flo and Eddie came on in the afternoon right after the unfailingly self-effacing Howard Stern.
One day, they played William Shatner’s “classic” and extremely “heartfelt” rendition of “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” About halfway through William Shatner’s poignant performance, Howard Kaylan quipped, “Boy, does Shatner ever need Leonard Nimoy now.” I miss Howard and Mark on the radio.
I'm surprised that when talking about "Elenore" you don't mention that most classic line ever in a love song: "You're my pride and joy, et cetera"
Great line !
My favorite line is " I think your'e really groovy. let's go out to a movie".
haha, for sure, great lyric line.
lol, it reminds me of my favourite Beatles rhyme: 'Rose and Valerie, screaming from the gallery.' :)
Hey Rob… I mentioned it in the comments section of Part One…
So glad I got to meet Mark and Howard (and photos to show for it) so the background here is amazing, Matt. Thanks.
Elenore... Amazing harmonies, superb production, and humorous lyrics!
What a fun song, et-cet-era!
🎶✌️😎🤣
You showed me reminds me of The Kinks - This Strange effect. hands down. mood and string hits on the guitar. Smooth Matt.
Howard sang with Passon i believe.
You Showed Me and The Kinks This Strange Effect (I also like the Dave Berry's version👍) Are two great Psychedelic Love Songs!!! -as I read your post I thought Id share about a CD compilation I made of Psychedelic Love Songs I recorded years ago with these 2 songs which also included Norwegian Wood-The Beatles, Lady Jane- The Rolling Stones, Today- Jefferson Airplane, Indian Summer- The Doors, Lalena- Donovan, Guinevere- Crosby, Stills & Nash, Wizard of is-Pearls Before Swine, Hello its Me- The Nazz, Orange Skies- Love, May This Be Love- Jimi Hendrix, Pretty Ballerina- The Left Banke, Got A Feeling- The Mamas & Papas, Kites- Simon Dupree & The Big Sound, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme- Simon & Garfunkel, I Cant See Your Face in My Mind- The Doors, Drifting- Jimi Hendrix, Long, Long, Long- The Beatles, Coming Back To Me- Jefferson Airplane, Nights in White Satin- The Moody Blues, Have You Ever Been(Electric Ladyland) -Jimi Hendrix.
One special track in "The Battle Of The Bands" album is "Earth Anthem", with its simple and emotional message about "our home, third from the sun". The vocal arrangements and the trumpet sound are very good. For me, an underrated track from that Turtles' album.
Wow that LSD is a funny drug both inspiring and destructive. You can certainly hear it in the Turtles music. Can't You Hear the Cows being exhibit A. I love it !
Battle of the bands is the most fantastic theme lp ever!! A phenomenal record!!! A must for music lovers!!!
Your channel is the absolute best for 60s music and culture please never stop
Thank you! I am just getting started!
I second this...I'm really interested on the beginnings of each group..
Matt, I really appreciate your bringing us such consistently high quality content!
Thank you, much appreciated1
You're so eloquent and knowledgeable. I really enjoy listening to your commentary.
Thank you, January!
@@popgoesthe60s52 You're very welcome 😊
"Elenore" is my favorite Turtles song. "The Battle Of The Bands" is such a great album and I need to get on CD soon. Looking forward to part 3!
Thanks, Larry - that is a great album. Actually the two after are equally as good in my opinion.🙂
Just like part one, thank you! BATTLE OF THE BANDS is one of my all-time favorite albums by any band! And the GREATEST HITS VOLUME TWO is the first Turtles elpee I ever bought, out of a cut-out rack at a little store in Denver called The Wizard of Watts, which sold records and also stereo equipment. This would have been about 1972 or 3. Cool store! Cool record!
I love these album-by-album career retrospectives. A lot of channels have similar ideas, but you present it in exactly the right way. I like how you analyze the lineup changes, which are very important to understanding a band's change of direction or sound. You always get me in the mood to rummage through my collection to play stuff I had filed away years ago, and I always discover new things when I do.
Thank you, that is a high compliment. There are stories to be told that go beyond the music so I try to incorporate those into these videos. Thanks so much for watching!
@@popgoesthe60s52New viewer today. Really agree with those high compliments!
@@chuckberlin4605 Welcome, Chuck! Glad to have you.
As soon as Howard Kaylan started growing facial hair, its like his age just doubled! With the moustache, he went from 20 to 40 years old instantly!
I gre up in the 60s and I'm a fan of the Turtles. I have their greatest hits in my vinyl collection and have attended several of their Happy Together Tours. Great job with your reviews. Brings back many memories.
My favorite song of all time is T.Rex - Bang a Gong (Get it On). Love that Kaylan & Volman sing backup on it. 😎👍
The singles and hits I know, but the deep album cuts are brilliant. I'm re-visiting The Turtles. Thanks, Matt.
the Turtles were one of my wife's favorite bands. their music became a fixture in the house. Thanks for the videos!
Enjoying your site
Thanks, Jeff - more to come.
This really is an exceptional quality retrospective on a band I've always been interested in knowing more about. Thank you for these musical history lessons.
My pleasure, Hungry!
My Dinner with Jimi was written by Howard Kaylan and is a movie about The Turtles and their trip to England. It is a good movie and made me laugh. I give it three thumbs up. 😊
I like your videos about these groups from the sixties...I grew up with them,I was 11 years old when I started watching them...The Turtles were one of my favorities....I loved Elenor the most...
Flo and Eddie! Loved this appraisal
I have enjoyed so many of your videos over the Time I've known about your channel. I want to thank you so much for all the wonderful knowledge you've shared with us. I rarely write comments, but I thought it was important to let you know how much I have enjoyed the amazing musical history you have provided us. So thank you again Matt. I for one think you are totally AMAZING!!!!
I appreciate that, thank you, William.
Very well done! I do think that Howard Kaylan had a great and recognizable voice - just perfect for all those hit songs. They had more than many people remember. Thanks Matt.
I know pop music is often derided but they are an example of true excellence in pop music, catchy tunes & well executed
Yes! You said it 👍.
Anyone see the similarity between the cover for Kiss “Destroyer” and Turtles “She’d rather be with me”? It’s pretty amusing;)
This is a great refresher course on the Turtles! Plus, I'm learning a bunch of new things about them. They had a boat load of hits! Thanks for waking me up. Looking forward to part 3.
Thank you for doing this. The Turtles are one of my favorite bands. In my top 10. So many good songs.
They were one of the top requests I had. Thanks for watching, Andrew!
The Turtles really are a neat band. I also love Kaylan and Volmers work with Frank Zappa!
The Turtles are one of my favorite groups from the 60s. I really appreciate your three-part series of this truly underrated band!
"Sound Asleep" (1968) was actually The Turtles first effort to write something like "Happy Together" in the Bonner-Gordon Style as requested by White Whale, similar to The Rolling Stones being locked away in a Hotel Room by Andrew Loog Oldham to start writing their own songs. The results are quite different: “Satisfaction."
Love the way The Turtles slowed down the original uptempo "rushed" Byrds (Clark-McGuinn) version of "You Showed Me" to Adagio, using the harmonium, cellos, violins, violas, etcetera, compliments of Douglas Farthing Hatlelid.
Nice to see and hear Chip Douglas come full circle, from Turtles' Bass Player, and sometimes arranger, to Turtles' Producer.
Matt, thank you for honoring and respecting The Turtles who are often overlooked in the Pantheon of American Sixties Bands, inexcusably mainly known for the way overplayed "Happy Together."
Still waiting for Wes Anderson to use a Turtles Song, maybe "She's My Girl" or "Eleanore” or “You Showed Me" in an upcoming movie.
Did You Know?
• The Turtles were originally named The Tyrtles by White White Whale Records, à la The Beatles.
• The Turtles hated their (slow-moving name) imposed on them by White Whale Records who The Turtles also hated.
• “Happy Together” was also arranged by Chip Douglas.
• "The Turtles: Happy Together" (1991) documentary you referenced is 90 minutes long and highly recommended for all Turtles' Fans. The hilarious "management sequence" is approximately 15 minutes.
• The Turtles released 3 more Bonner-Gordon songs in 1967, All Hits!
"She'd Rather Be With Me"
"You Know What I Mean"
"She's My Girl"
Only “A Guide for the Married Man” Theme Song from the equally inane movie, flopped.
I think "levity and humor" are accurate nouns describing The Turtles studio and stage presence. Maybe had The Turtles taken themselves a bit more seriously, music histology and the music world would remember The Turtles in a more serious manner.
But then The Turtles wouldn't have been The Turtles we love.
Imagine that. A band having legal and managerial issues!! Who woulda thunk it. :-) I agree with you Matt, Howard had one of the best voices in pop music. Looking forward to Part 3. Cheers, RNB
Really enjoying this trilogy, thank you.
Thank you, Matt - more to come.
Love the history of managers white-boarding and the story behind Elenore...
A wonderful second episode.
Battle of the Bands was a fun album. It seemed like a comedy album with "I'm King Come on I wanna lay ya" and Surfer Dan but there were some really solid numbers - I loved Earth Anthem and You Showed Me.
As always, very enjoyable 60's band videos (both parts 1 and 2). Hoping that part 3 will include the "Flo and Eddie" stuff - have a comment or two about that whole situation/fiasco, but will save for the next chapter. I know there are countless stories of artists feeling screwed over by their record/management companies, but The Turtles treatment has to be in the top 10 of awfulness!
Your entire collage of the Turts is excellent...a perfect synopsis of the phenomenal Rhino documentary...nice work 👍🏽
Really enjoying your series on one of of my favorite bands...never get enough of the turtles...thanks for the time spent digging...luv your channel...always so interesting and INFORMATIVE!!
Loved the Turtles. Their "Battle of the Bands" album is still an all-time favorite. I always appreciated the fact that they were pretending to be all those different bands, and did it so well.
I foolishly wrote a few months ago that beyond The Beatles I wasn’t sure how much I would watch your podcast. Now, I have had almost too much Beatles content and have been enjoying your presentations of other groups. Thanks Matt.
That is good to hear, David. Thank you. I also need Beatle breaks so you'll me continue to bounce back and forth.
Definitely one of my favorite 60's bands. The great singles are so good and some of the lesser known ones sound good today. I think the management issues certainly hurt them and this video makes a good point about their self-producing. Some of their less successful singles like "Sound Asleep" and "The Story of Rock n Roll" would have benefited from better production. I also agree that the vocals were such a key part of their successful. Howard Kaylan had one of the most instantly recognizable voices that doesn't sound like anyone else. For me it was their identity in a similar way that Burton Cummings voice defined the Guess Who.
The Guess Who fan me thanks you for mentioning them! Fan until Burton left.
I absolutely love the Battle Of The Bands album. How they got away with Chief Kamanawanalea (say it slowly) and the brownies recipe, I’ll never know.🤣
Elenore, gee, I think your swell
And you really do me well
I guess J. Edgar Hoover was burned out from chasing Louie Louie and decided whatever I'm done! The genie is out of the bottle!! 😳😳😳
Really have enjoyed the first 2 parts so far. I've learned alot. I have acouple best of 💿 cd's. I've seen that video of them going over all there managers and how they were screwed over. Hilarious 😂!!
Poor J. Edgar... to much to handle in pop music by 1967!
Loving this. I recently discovered The Turtles and The Association and the coverage on this channel has been fantastic. I'm only a baby at 54 so forgive my ignorance of these amazing bands.
Hey John, you are never too young to discover new things about old bands - welcome!
I had not heard of this Battle of the Bands album. Very interesting...they really did have great hormonies.
excellent. an overlooked band. thank you!
Holy lightning Batman - I had the rudiments of "Sound of Sleep" running in my head since the first time I heard it on WLS at the age of 12. Thanks for connecting the dots and now I can fully enjoy it again.
I look forward to seeing stuff from Spanky and our gang,The Throggs,Loving spoonful,and more....
Looking forward to part 3 and Turtle Soup etc...oddly...produced by Dave Davies of the Kinks.
PS...Daves songs around 67 to 70 are amazing...
Ray Davies produced the album .😀❤️
@@andyshelton4889 ooh yeah you are right. Sometimes facts I heard a decade ago get jumbled up!
And we are here for your digging, thanks Matt.
Thanks again for great commentary! I want to see that collection that is behind you!
I’m back for more interesting facts and info. You’re so awesome!
Wow, I haven’t heard “Umbassa the Dragon” in nearly fifty years!
I remember being in a record store in NYC with some grade school classmates on a Saturday morning in NYC after taking the entrance exam for some of the Catholic high schools in the Big Apple like Xavier High School, Power Memorial Academy and Rice High School.
Anyway, when I spotted The Turtles’ latest 45 RPM record in the store, I bought it and rushed up to the always stylish and upscale Port Authority Bus Terminal on Eighth Avenue and 42nd Street for the bus ride back to New Jersey.
When I got home, I quickly put the record on the turntable, put the stylus in the first groove to let it wail (like the disc jockey said in that famous tv commercial back then) and heard Howard Kaylan (I think) start to sing, “Umbassa come to slay the dragon!” with the rest of the guys in the band grunting and growling in the background.
My father walked into my room and asked me if I had purchased a Tarzan record with Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O’Sullivan on the 45 record.
After all these years, I have to agree that “Umbassa the Dragon” does sound like a cut from the original soundtrack of “Tarzan, The Ape Man.”
Yeah I never though of that as a Tarzan-type song but I can hear it now. Having re-heard the song in 2022, you are now set for another 50 years!
@@popgoesthe60s52
You know, the song, being seen in 2022’s light, is somewhat politically-incorrect. But, I’m reminded what the late, great Terry Kath of Chicago once said, in a moment of slight hubris, about that group’s recordings: “We could f@rt and people would still buy the record.”
Sorry, Mr. Kath, but I think the public will draw the line on an album of recorded flatulence.
Excellent content Matt. I never really liked the Turtles but of course their story is fascinating. I think Eleanor is one of the best non-Beatles Beatlesque songs ever!
They lucked out with their hits. They did have their time in the sun though. I remembered their songs as a kid.
Love you reading style and typed notes. Your collection looks very cool, and likely based on your personal tastes, yes? I'm former radio trying to join your video ranks. The Turtles blend pop orchestral sounds as well as any group, even on their clunkers. They are an important band. Some of their sound is heard in early Sparks, especially lyrics and upbeat pop feel. The sound is unmistakable.
Thank you, Sean. They were very unique and though they were uneven over their career, there is plenty of good stuff.
After 2 of 3 , phenomenally good so far! Moving directly to part 3.
Had the You Showed Me 45 and played it until the grooves wore down! Keep up the good work with these videos!
Great video lots of info CHEERS
One forgets that Jim Pons also sang backing vocals with the Turtles-the “Elenore” live performance shows that he did (he sang some lead vocals with the Leaves,…) 🙂🎶👍
Great video on these guys... thanx ~~!!
To See the Sun is currently my favorite Turtles track. I can listen to it over and over again. It's not commercial, but I think it's the band at their most musically accomplished.
I love that era - so many great and hypnotic songs. I will cover more of them in part three.
I heard Kaylan speaking of this alleged incident between Lennon n Tucker in a couple different interviews of him. Both interviews he was definitely in his 70's then. I thought "why would u even say something like that, and having a much bigger platform than Tucker had?" I thought that was sort of low. And something was off about it.
I'm glad to hear Tucker's side of the story here.
Alright Matt! 👍🙂
These are good man.
Thank you for the hard work you put in to make these quality videos 😊❤
My pleasure 😊
Great job
Glad to see you are covering this band, Matt, in a 3-parter no less! It’s also great to see, in this and other videos, you showing us the actual record sleeves. Very interesting, keep up the great work.👏
Thank you so much for covering these fellas! I've been a fan since I was a teen and discovered them on vinyl.
My pleasure, Daniel.
I'm so glad you are doing these little series. These bands deserve to have their stories told. I can't wait to see who you choose next!
I saw that same documentary. It was very funny. I'm always astounded at how rock and pop bands freely wasted large sums of money.
Really enjoyed part two Matt, Excellent! Your decision to expand to part three is totally welcomed and deserved of The Turtles output. One quick humorous note: I noticed just recently while watching their 1967 Ed Sullivan Show clip of “She’d Rather Be With Me,” that Al’s guitar strap breaks in the middle of the song, right after Howard sings “She Don’t Fly Although She Can.” Can you imagine that happening to you on live TV, on the biggest coast-to-coast variety show of the era? It’s funny seeing him from then on always looking around to see if anyone noticed, as well as continually lifting the guitar up to continue playing. The clip can easily be found here on UA-cam. Looking forward to your part three installment. You have a great channel. These bands like the ones you cover really deserve more credit. Thanks. :- )
Thank you, Mr. Joe - more to come!
Matt...thanks for choosing The Turtles. Those are very interesting videos. Looking forward to Part 3.
Thank you, Steve!
Great series!
The Battle of the bands album is a really enjoyable album. I somehow missed To See The Sun and The Owl, which sound wonderful. Thanks.
Thanks for all the great videos of these bands
The Lightning Seeds did an awesome cover of "You Showed Me" in 1996.
I always found it kinda ironic and fitting how in the movie "Pirate Radio" (one of my favorite rock films), Nick Frost is kind of dressed up and reminiscent-looking of Mark Volman and during the "Eleanor" music montage he even looks like a Mark Volman singing along w/the high falsettos. One of the highlights of that film. Absolutely fun and brilliant!
This series is amazing, can’t wait to go through my fave groups of the 60’s that you discuss! Hope you do The Monkees soon😀
The Monkees are on my list and that will be a longer one. I have a couple other of the 'bigger' bands in front of the Monkees, but I will certainly get to them. They are one of my favorites.
@@popgoesthe60s52 Awesome! Nice to hear as they just get bigger and more appreciated as time goes on. I beg to add however that only the Beatles and Rolling Stones were bigger than the Monkees in the 60’s Beach Boys maybe fourth. 😀 If you ask anyone to name 5 groups from the 60’s The Monkees are always in there.
@@videogemsproductions Well to prime the pump, the bands I was referring to are the Byrds, Beach Boys, and Jefferson Airplane, so in my book, all heavy hitters.
@@popgoesthe60s52 for sure 100% not to mention The Kinks, The Who, The Rascals, The Hollies, The Raiders, Mamas & Papas, early Pink Floyd, early Bee Gees, The Searchers, the Spoonful, Beau Brummells, Yardbirds, Motown and I can go on and on as I love just about everyone from the 60’s. It’s just that popularity wise The Monkees only come third to the Beatles and Stones went you ask general public to name a band from the 60’s. I also find that The Monkees are top 5 when it comes to their songbook ….so deep and it stands the test of time. Again, when it comes to album sales and great album tracks they are up there with The Beatles 👍🏻 hope you end up doing all the bands even The Left Banke…..I will watch them all 😀
Really enjoying this Matt. Nice job. Never knew the story about Eleanor, that's pretty cool.
I've never really dived to deeply into their music, but after seeing these I'm looking forward to part three and hearing more of The Turtles. I have a single of Happy Together and the B side is one of my favourite songs: Like the Seasons. Just a very pretty song which I listened to over and over when I flipped that single and found it.
Great part 2 Matt! I read the Howard Kalyan story about John Lennon in the club….hearing your telling doesn’t make it seem quite as bad (about Lennon) than when I originally heard it. They do have some great music that people need to hear as they are so much more than the group that did Happy Together! Thanks for sharing!
Yeah, the more I research, the more I hear that Kaylan may have exaggerated his Hendrix story as well. He does spin a good yarn!
@@popgoesthe60s52 his audiobook version of My Dinner With Jimi is really funny.
I've never heard some of these Turtles tracks before. I'm stunned by their range of material. Unfortunately, most of it is pretty crummy. But when a good song comes along, man, they can nail it. Thank you for making part three, just for ME!
You are quite welcome, Doc!
Battle of the bands is my very favorite turtle album. (Hard to find now)
I forgot how many hits they had - wow! 17 songs in Billboard Top 100
Great video!
Hi Matt, looking forward to part 3 of the Turtles. Parts 1 and 2 were terrific. I’m 70 years old and lived through all of this great music. I didn’t know all the facts about the band that you spoke about. This is why your channel is brilliant. Another great band from that time worth looking in to was the Buckinghams. Always love your music analysis, it’s always well written and researched. All the best, Matt. Wishing you a happy and healthy 2022.
Hey Philip - thank you for watching and for suggesting the Buckinghams, who are very underrated. I hope to tackle them soon and cross them off my very long list!
Great vids. Always had an interest in investigating the Turtles as a Zappa fan, never really have in 30 years, so these are great.
Don't stop now, Matt! It's amazing to learn so much after many years of being an avid fan of the "sixties pop sound" which was spearheaded by groups as The Turtles. I didn't know at the age of 5 ( 1966 ) what those songs may have been composed about but they remain a part of the proverbial soundtrack of my life. Hope to share my Nilsson mems with you at some Point... I did not know that The Turtles recorded One of his tracks. Cheers!
Thank you, Mark - more to come!
glad you are doing the heavy lifting so we don't have to. I again learned a good bit. keep up the good videos. waiting for part 3.
Thanks for this..
Very timely as I'm currently listening to the audiobook version of Howard Kaylan's, Shell Shocked: My life with the Turtles, Flo & Eddie and Frank Zappa etc.
Howard reads it himself.
Great documentary. Can't wait for pt.3 👍
Thanks for this profile. Lots of cool new stuff to hear.
You do amazing stuff, there is so much info and so much love for this great music and artists. Please keep it up!
Thank you, Sergey. More to come!