İlhan İrem remembered for career from romantic ballads to symphonic rock

Turkish pop music master İlhan İrem left his mark with romantic songs and symphonic rock works in a career that began in the 1970s. The life and works of the artist, who died in 2022, are remembered by music lovers.

Childhood and first steps

The artist, whose real name is İlhan Aldatmaz, was born on April 1, 1955, in Bursa as the son of Nahid Bey and Mesude Hanım. His interest in music began in childhood, singing songs at home with his grandmother, and grew with his family's support. İrem often said that his grandmother frequently predicted he would become an artist.

At just 14, İrem took his first step onto the stage as a soloist in his school orchestra in 1969, laying the groundwork for a professional music career. In 1970, he won first place in the Marmara Region at the Milliyet High Schools Music Competition with the Meltemler Orchestra. Despite offers from Istanbul, the artist chose to stay in Bursa and worked as a dance music singer in various hotels between 1970 and 1973.

Start of professional career

İrem released his first 45 rpm single, "Birleşsin Bütün Eller/Bazen Neşe Bazen Keder", in 1973, but did not achieve the success he wanted. His breakthrough came with his second single, "Yazık Oldu Yarınlara/Haydi Sil Gözlerini", released in 1974, which made him one of the most beloved pop music artists of the 1970s.

With his romantic and poetic style, İrem brought a distinct identity to the pop music of the era, and his third single, "Anlasana" in 1975, placed him among Turkey's most popular singers. He released a total of ten 45 rpm records between 1973 and 1981.

Rock symphony and Eurovision

İrem entered a new phase of his musical life with the 1979 LP "Sevgiliye", a symphonic work in which he also set the poem "Hoşgeldin" by Nazım Hikmet to music. With his composition "Bir Yıldız", he qualified for the 1979 Turkish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest but withdrew due to his military service obligation.

He released "Bezgin" in 1981, an album of songs composed during his military service. In 1983, he released the trilogy "Pencere", "Köprü" and "Ve Ötesi" – the product of seven years of work that he called his "Rock Symphony". In 1984 he represented Turkey at the Golden Orfeus Song Contest in Bulgaria and won the Journalists' Special Award.

In 1986 his lyrics for "Halley", composed by Melih Kibar, brought Turkey its best result to date at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Books and painting

İlhan İrem was also interested in literature and painting. He published five books containing stories, essays and poems. The artist, who created abstract paintings, held solo exhibitions in Bursa, Ankara, Antalya, Kuşadası, Dikili, Istanbul, Gölcük and İzmir.

Private life and death

He married Hansu İrem, a fan he met at one of his concerts, on October 1, 1991. His wife took his album cover photographs and served as art director. Due to strong demand, in 2000 he re-released his 1980s albums "Bezgin", "Pencere", "Köprü" and "Ve Ötesi" using the original recordings.

During his career İrem won six Gold Record awards and was named "Male Artist of the Year" and "Artist of the Year" by numerous magazines and institutions. İlhan İrem died of kidney failure on July 28, 2022, at the age of 67, and was buried in Aşiyan Cemetery in accordance with his will.