Shell Shocked

My Life with the Turtles, Flo and Eddie, and Frank Zappa, etc.

By: Howard Kaylan, Jeff Tamarkin

Narrated by: Howard Kaylan

If Howard Kaylan had sung only one song, the Turtles' 1967 No. 1 smash hit "Happy Together," his place in rock-and-roll history would still be secure. But that recording, named in 1999 by BMI as one of the top 50 songs of the 20th century, with over five million radio plays, is only the tip of a rather eye-opening iceberg. For nearly five decades, Howard Kaylan has been a player in the rock-and-roll revolution. In addition to his years with the Turtles, Kaylan was a core member of Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention and the dynamic duo Flo & Eddie, and part of glam rock history with Marc Bolan and T. Rex.

He's also given street cred and harmonies to everyone from John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen and Alice Cooper to the Ramones and Duran Duran, to name just a few. Howard Kaylan's life has been a dangerous ride that he is only too happy to report on, naming names and shedding shocking tales of sex, drugs and creative excess. Shell Shocked will stand alone as not only one of the best-told music-biz memoirs, but one with a truly candid and unmatchable story of rock-and-roll insanity and success from a man who glories in it all.

©2013 Howard Kaylan (P)2013 Howard Kaylan

MY FIRST BAND

I was eight years old when I heard Elenore. The Turtles have always been a favorite of mine. My children know all the songs. I did not know that they had anything to do with Frank Zappa until this book. But I love Zappa and have a shirt with Franks face on it. This book woke me up to these two Howard and Mark. Sure would love a Turtles shirt. Great book took me back on a trip through time.

If you loved Frank Zappa,Flo and Eddie this rocks

the Turtles story Rocks it.And FZ and. The smoke on the water story makes this book worth a listen.HK tells of Groupies ,drugs,Zappa and everything about the Turtles and 70 and 71 Mothers .

Hop on the bus and hold on tight!

This is THE best thing I've heard on audible to date!
Howard Kaylan (that's KaYlan, with a "y") narrates his quixotic journey through the music business which included being insulted by John Lennon, sharing a dinner with Jimi Hendrix, performing at the fateful Zappa show that spawned the song Smoke on the Water, and performing the Strawberry Shortcake theme just to name a few. It's all here.
The book is great and worth buying and reading as well, but to hear Howard Kaylan say the words out loud is the icing on the cake!
Buy Now!

Didn't know ...

I didn't know they were with Zappa's band. After listening to this, I saw a movie on Zappa and there were Flo and Eddie singing for Zappa. Interesting slice of history about a time when rock and roll was in it's birth.

A down to earth legend that kept journals!

A true legend that despite the ups and downs of show biz manages to see his vast experiences through the eyes of an enthusiastic fan. If you don’t know much about the Turtles, Flo and Eddie or Frank Zappa and the Mother’s,... it doesn’t matter, take my anonymous word for it, it’s all quality, you’re in good hands. Extremely entertaining, for any true fan of rock n roll, enjoy the ride!

WARNING: contact buzz and non-controlable laughing

Any additional comments?

If you think having Howard Kaylan sing to you is fun, wait till he reads to you...one of the most incredible personalities in music tells his story with the same exuberance as he lived it, with all the 'warts, stars and ex-wives' included...one of the best current autobiographies available

Howard Kaylan doesn't disappoint!

Wow! What a road trip through the eyes of one who ingested the rock and roll lifestyle 110%!

So glad he read it himself

I have already known so much about the story of the turtles and their aftermath, but to hear the man tell all of these little details is so wonderful. I don't know if I would have found the "Checkpoint Charlie" EP

I expected greatness...

...and hot damn, I wasn't disappointed!

This is one heck of a rock & roll memoir. Hilarious and brutally honest.

The Turtles DO Rock...Really!

I rarely give an unqualified 5 star rating...wait, I NEVER give a 5 star rating, but this audiobook rocks! Baby boomers know the Turtles as an iconic MOR pop band that ruled the pop charts in the late '60s (They knocked the Beatles out of the #1 position at one point) and then had a stereotypical breakup due to the usual: musical differences, drugs, changing public preferences, management, etc. It's all told here by Howard Kaylan (with a "Y"!) in an honest and very funny autobiography that grabs you from the first sentence and never lets up.

With a refreshing lack of ego, Mr. Kaylan dishes the whole storyline of the Turtles to the Mothers of Invention to Flo & Eddie and beyond. Be forewarned: YOU WILL LAUGH OUT LOUD so pick your listening times carefully. I often listen in bed before going to sleep but I couldn't do that with this book - I kept waking up my slumbering spouse with my chuckles and laughter. I also had to avoid many concerned looks in the Doctor's office, on public transportation, in the grocery store...you get the idea.

This production shines throughout. Mr. Kaylan provides a perfect wedding of writing and narration. Even my pet peeve about mispronunciation is absent here - a first in 13 years.

If you have the slightest interest in The Turtles, the '60s and '70s or pop music in general you will love this book.

You CAN'T MISS this one!