Died On This Date (February 26, 2011) Mark Tulin / Bassist For The Electric Prunes & Smashing Pumpkins
themusicsover Mark Tulin
November 21, 1948 – February 26, 2011
Mark Tulin is best remembered as the bassist for influential ’60s garage psych band, the Electric Prunes. Formed in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California in 1965, the band churned out several era-defining songs including “I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night,” “Get Me To The World On Time,” and “Kyrie Eleison/Mardi Gras (When the Saints),” which was prominently featured in the iconic film, Easy Rider. Tulin was active in the group from its inception until 1968 and then for a reunited configuration from 2001 until his passing. In 2009, he was asked by Billy Corgan to join Smashing Pumpkins, first in the studio for the recording of Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, and later to fill in on a few live dates. Tulin also joined Corgan in his Sky Saxon tribute band, Spirits In The Sky, which included Dave Navarro of Jane’s Addiction. Toward the end of 2010, he was back in the studio working on a new album with the Electric Prunes. On February 26, 2011, while volunteering with an underwater clean-up on Catalina Island off the coast of Los Angeles, 62-year-old Mark Tulin collapsed and died. Cause of death was not immediately released.
What You Should Own
Sky Saxon began his musical career as a doo-wop singer in the early ’60s. While living in San Francisco in 1965, Saxon formed the Seeds, a psychedelic garage rock band that would eventually reach cult status. Though never considered a great vocalist in the traditional sense, Saxon and his band had hits with “Can’t Seem To Make Me Mine” and “Pushin’ To Hard” which was later covered by the Monkees. In recent years, Saxon teamed up with Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins for some new recordings while appearing in the Pumpkins’ video for “Superchrist.” Saxon died of what is suspected to be an infection of his internal organs. No actual cause of death has been released.
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