Baris Manco

Barış Manço was one of the most influential and popular figures in Turkish music and culture. He started his musical career in high school, forming his first band Kafadarlar (The Buddies) and later Harmoniler (The Harmonies), which recorded some of the first examples of Anatolian rock, a fusion of Turkish folk music and rock. He later formed Kurtalan Ekspres, the band that accompanied him until his death. He composed around 200 songs, many of which were translated into various languages and became hits in different countries. He also experimented with different musical genres, such as progressive rock, psychedelic rock, and alternative rock. He was known for his distinctive style, featuring long hair, a mustache, and colorful costumes. He received many awards and honors for his musical achievements, such as the State Artist of Turkey, the Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France, and the Doctor Honoris Causa of several universities. Besides music, he was also a successful actor, appearing in several movies and TV series. He was also a television producer and show host, creating and hosting the long-running TV show 7'den 77'ye (From 7 to 77), which featured live performances, interviews, and travel documentaries. He visited more than 150 countries and met with many prominent figures, such as presidents, royalty, writers, and celebrities. He was also a cultural ambassador of Turkey, promoting Turkish culture and history to the world. He was widely loved and respected by people of all ages and backgrounds, and his death in 1999 caused a national mourning. His legacy lives on through his songs, his TV show, and his museum, which was established in his former house in Istanbul.