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How the Grim Reaper almost killed rock band The Turtles in 1966

Chris Well

Some intriguing secrets about The Turtles, including stories behind one of their biggest failures—and also behind their biggest hit!

Formed in 1965, pop rock group The Turtles are remembered for several hit songs, especially their 1967 smash “Happy Together.” But although they had some hits early on, their popularity dipped for a time—starting with the left-of-center song “Grim Reaper of Love.” 

Using an unusual example of rhythm and an electric sitar, the song is an early case of psychedelic raga rock. However, though the band had hit the charts with three hits prior to that, “Grim Reaper of Love” was the song that almost did the band in. In fact, it was the first of several failed singles.

In 2009, Turtles former member Howard Kaylan reportedly told Mojo magazine that after having three consecutive hit songs, the members of the band had gotten “pretty cocky” and decided to copy The Beatles.

“The Beatles were doing drugs and experimenting with Indian instruments—we could, too. So we did.”

For what eventually became the song “Grim Reaper of Love,” songwriters Al Nichol and Chuck Portz put together a 5/4 jazz raga with “ridiculous lyrics.” And the band “fought” with the record label to release it as a single.

“But of course the record was just too weird to be a mainstream hit. In fact, I’m still shocked that it did as well as it did.”

“Grim Reaper of Love” and follow-up singles failed to get the band back on the charts. It wasn’t until a year later when the song “Happy Together” got the band back on top again. Their other hits since then include “She’d Rather Be With Me” (1967), “Elenore” (1968) and “You Showed Me” (1969).

However, I’ve got to say that I kind of like “Grim Reaper of Love.” Listen to it for yourself in the video below. Even more surprising, I’ve got some videos also below sharing secrets behind “Happy Together”…

Find The Turtles greatest hits collection on Amazon (affiliate link)

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“Grim Reaper of Love” (Remastered) | The Turtles - Topic

The Turtles perform the theme to It’s Garry Shandling’s Show

Also below, find a video where The Turtles guest-starred on It’s Garry Shandling’s Show. For those who never saw the show, it was a comedy that super leaned into the idea of “breaking the fourth wall.” For example, the theme of the show was about the theme of the show. And in this video here we see when guests The Turtles performed a fun mash-up of the show’s theme song with the bridge from “Happy Together.”

Guitarist was SO Embarrassed by HIT He REFUSED a Writing Credit…Cost ’em Millions! | Professor of Rock

While we’re talking about The Turtles big hit “Happy Together,” this would be a great time to also learn the SURPRISING story behind that song! Check in with the Professor of Rock below…

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