Article published in IN magazine, April 1968
The Turtles | The Now Sound Of Folk-Rock | They sky rocketed into the Top Ten charts and fame with “It Ain’t Me Babe.” There are five of them, Howard Kaylan, Mark Volman, Jim Pons, Al Nichol, Johnny Barbata, and they represent the very “in” groovy sound of NOW.
They are The Turtles.
Their unique story began four years ago in a small club in Redondo Beach, California. Howard Kaylan and Al Nichol formed the original group. The Turtles are the founder of the “folk rock” sound in the pop music business today.
It’s been a quick rise from an insignificant nightspot in Hollywood to the International set. Their travel schedule now includes stops in London, Denmark, France and Germany as well as every state in America.
Howard Kaylan, the lead singer of the group, dressed in dark brown fitted trousers and a yellow flowered Nehru shirt, sat back in the plush offices of his publicity agent.
“The boundary lines are fading. In time, there will be little distinction between pop and contemporary music. The pop music category will encompass music for all age levels.
“We, as a group, don’t want to be categorized as ‘psychedelic’ or anything else. One of our continuous problems is keeping our group image flexible,” Howard commented.
“And we’d rather have a rapport with the audience than become commercial like so many other groups,” added Jim, attired in a Navajo blanket jacket, and white pin-striped trousers.
The Turtles | The Now Sound Of Folk-Rock
The Turtles find little time to spend at home with their families and friends—they are on the road almost constantly doing concerts, and the hectic pace continues when they do arrive back at home base, recording dates fill most of their spare moments.
When and if there are moments for relaxation, the boys have various preferences. Howard keeps busy writing music and watching football games on television. Johnny works on his Marcos 1800 SGT, a racing car (There are only two in existence in California). Al likes to sleep late. He prefers to get away from it all by driving out to Malibu or by practicing his bag-pipes. Bagpipes are the thirteenth instrument he has mastered in the last couple of years. Mark spends all his spare time with his wife and baby. He is also writing a book on cats.
Social life for four of them (Mark is married) differs.
The Turtles | The Now Sound Of Folk-Rock
“I like a girl who thinks of you as a person, not just a M-A-N and one that isn’t nice just because of your occupation and what she could get out of it,” admits Al.
European girls are high on Johnny’s list. “Here in America, the girls are too sheltered, physically and mentally. I like a girl who can meet me on my level and accept me.”
“Shy girls make me shy,” claimed Jim. “I have no preferences—except she has to have dark eyes. Physical attractiveness and long hair are also high on my list.”
The Turtles are five very level-headed young men who are irked by phoniness in people and intolerance.
“I don’t believe people believe in the right things today,” Jim Pons, bass player for the group, said seriously.
The Turtles | The Now Sound Of Folk-Rock
Jim had his own group The Leaves before he joined The Turtles. “I went through a thousand problems, conflicts and general intolerance with my other group,” Jim confided.
“But I think all the problems helped me eventually. I’m more open-minded about other people’s hang-ups now.
“Before I left The Leaves and joined The Turtles, I was always late—now I have a great deal of respect for time schedules. I find too, that I am more receptive to others.
“The three years I spent in college were miserable. I didn’t know why I was there. I wanted to find something in life I could do that I would love—and I did. It’s been a lifetime dream working with a group like The Turtles.”
Howard Kaylan, the lead singer, proved to have some very definite ideas about life.
“I value honesty in people and like a friend who will tell you anything. I don’t value things just because others do. Money doesn’t mean much to me. I think success is being content with yourself.”
Mark Volman is the clown of the group. He was only 15 when he joined the group and has grown up with them.
“I want to cram as many people and experiences into my schedule as possible,” he smiled boyishly.
“I wish, though, that we had more privacy before and after performances, because the group gets keyed up before a show and we need time to unwind afterwards.
“It’s groovy to have money, but it shouldn’t be the only thing in life. I bought a new home for my wife and little girl. But I won’t invest money—you can get hung-up on making money.”
The Turtles | The Now Sound Of Folk-Rock
Al Nichols plays lead guitar.
“Music is something I was born with. I was taking piano lessons at seven, and at twelve was learning to play the trumpet, French horn, and guitar. I’m not keen on people that don’t like the changes taking place in popular music, and radio stations that won’t play new popular music, but play the same old commercial stuff—or what they think is commercial.
“I had to develop an ability to express myself and to be natural when I joined the group.”
Al continued, “We all have to stick to what we believe in as individuals, and we have to try and be ourselves—but not so much that we drop out of the group. I think we have to hit a balance between being individuals and part of the group. All performers need self-discipline if they are to make the big time. In December of 1966 we had four no-hit records, a change in members and no direction in the group. Now I think we have all the ingredients for success.
The Turtles | The Now Sound Of Folk-Rock
“I hope as tomorrow nears I can learn more about life in general and can communicate with everybody.”
Johnny Barbata, sporting a pink Nehru shirt and white jeans, paced the public relations office as the afternoon wore on.
“I want to be the tastiest drummer in the world,” he admitted.
“But if you were to ask me (and I did) what I hate most about being a celebrity, it’s all the work keeping the stature once you have it. There is never enough time to relax.
“I’m going to learn to play tabla (Indian drums) and to develop mental ability through Yoga, so that I can see my hang-ups and be able to go in any direction.”
The Turtles’ troubled days are behind them now. Their concerts throughout the world are sell-outs; their singles and albums are on top of the charts. It seems clear that these five very much aware young men are moving toward a future in show business that is virtually limitless. They aren’t moving toward it by TURTLE pace either.
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