Remembering Cem Karaca: The father of Anatolian rock

Turkey commemorated Cem Karaca, one of the prominent figures of "Anatolian rock," on Feb. 8, 16 years after his passing.

Suffering a heart failure, Karaca, a beloved and respected figure in Turkey, died on Feb.8, 2004 in metropolis Istanbul, at the age of 58.

During his lifetime, he recorded 24 albums and gave hundreds of concerts, winning the hearts of millions of people.

Karaca became an influential phenomenon in Turkey with his signature felt hat, big brown glasses and long wavy hair along with the messages he conveyed through his music.

Early life

Karaca was born on Apr. 5, 1945, to Armenian and Azerbaijani parents. Both of his parents were professional actors.

He started his music education at the age of 6, with the guidance of Toto Karaca, his mother.

His father Mehmet İbrahim initially wanted him to be a diplomat or a doctor yet later urged him to sing the "music of the region."

Karaca married Semra Özgür in 1965 and shortly after joined the army. That is where he became familiar with Turkey's folk songs.

Career

Karaca started his career with a cover band, called "The Dynamites," followed by another group called "The Jaguars," a tribute to legend Elvis Presley.

After his military duty was completed, Karaca started to compose music with Western instruments. In an unusual synthesis, Karaca fused traditional Anatolian folk rhythms with rock beats.

 "I used to see it as old and primitive, but [later] I realized that the style of music revives and expresses my feelings," Karaca had said in an interview.

He later joined "Apaşlar," where his popularity peaked. Karaca and the Apaşlar won second place at the Golden Microphone music competition...