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Erkin Koray left behind 14 studio albums and a legacy spanning more than five decades
Erkin Koray died at the age of 82 in Toronto, Canada, on August 7, 2023. The artist, who worked in Anadolu rock, psychedelic rock and hard rock, released 14 studio albums and 28 short-format albums during his music career.
Known for his distinctive style that brought Eastern and Western music together, his new interpretations of folk songs and his compositions, Erkin Koray left a legacy spanning more than five decades in Turkish music.
Born in Istanbul in 1941, Koray learned to play the piano from his mother, Vecihe Koray, who was a music teacher. He later took guitar lessons and began performing contemporary songs of the period with the group Erkin Koray ve Ritimcileri, which he formed with friends in the 1950s.
Continued his musical work in Germany
After high school, Koray continued his amateur musical activities in the 1960s and went to Germany after completing his military service. There, he spent 2.5 years as a guitarist with the group The Hiccups.
Continuing his professional work as a solo artist, Koray released a 45 rpm record consisting of English-language songs in 1966. After the record failed to attract the expected interest, he decided to make his subsequent works in Turkish.
The 45 rpm record released in 1967, featuring the songs Kızları da Alın Askere and Aşk Oyunu, made the artist known throughout Türkiye. Aşk Oyunu, which Koray had released earlier, was also among his works that reached wide audiences.
Added distinctive interpretations to Anadolu rock
In addition to his own compositions, Koray worked with Eastern and Western musical traditions. His interpretations of Turkish classical music works such as Nihansın Dideden and Kıskanırım, his work in the Anadolu rock tradition and his rearrangements of folk songs influenced numerous musicians.
Near the end of the 1960s, the artist continued his success with songs such as Anma Arkadaş, Hop Hop Gelsin, Sana Bir Şeyler Olmuş and Seni Her Gördüğümde.
In 1969, Koray formed the group Yeraltı Dörtlüsü, which adapted songs by groups such as Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd and Cream. In 1971, he formed the psychedelic rock group Super Group with bassist Jerzy Ziembrowski, whom he had met in Germany.
Released numerous albums between 1973 and 1999
Koray decided to continue his solo work in 1973 and released numerous albums between 1973 and 1999. During this period, he put out 14 studio albums and 28 short-format albums; his works also appeared on various compilation albums.
İlla ki, Deli Kadın, Tek Başına, Öyle Bir Geçer Zaman ki, Arapsaçı, Fesuphanallah, Şaşkın and Sevince were among the artist's own compositions. Koray was also known for adaptations such as Cemalim and Köprüden Geçti Gelin.
Between 1990 and 1993, Koray released a compilation album series as well as a work titled Best Of. In 1996, he presented the album Gün Ola Harman Ola to music fans. Although the album did not achieve major sales success, it received positive responses from critics. It was followed by Devlerin Nefesi in 1999.
Died in Toronto
Honored with numerous awards throughout his life, Koray received the Golden Butterfly Honor Award in 2007. One month after announcing a new album, the artist died at the age of 82 on August 7, 2023, at a hospital in Toronto, Canada, where he had lived for many years.
In accordance with his wishes, Koray was buried at Westminster Cemetery in Toronto.
Recommended listening to his music at high volume
Speaking on a program about his appreciation for Turkish folk music, Koray said he received positive responses from audiences at concerts. The artist said that he had encountered negative reactions because of the high volume at some clubs outside concert halls, and expressed the view that his music should be listened to at high volume.
"I always received positive reactions from those who came to my concerts. I also encountered quite a few negative reactions from listeners—not in concert halls, but in clubs because of the high volume. However, this music is meant to be listened to loudly; I even once wrote on a record, ‘Listen at high volume.’"
Koray said he had faced criticism in the 1950s because of his hair and clothing, and that he had been friends with Cem Karaca for many years. Expressing his sorrow over Karaca's death, the artist described him as a musician who had shown great devotion to his field and walked the same path as him.
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