About Erkin Koray
Lived 1941 – 2023 (aged 82). Erkin Koray was a Turkish singer, guitarist, rock musician, composer, musician and public speaker.
Mustafa Erkin Koray (; 24 June 1941 – 7 August 2023) was a Turkish singer and guitarist who mainly played Anatolian rock.
Life and career Koray was active in the Turkish rock music scene since the late 1950s. In 1967, he released his first single, "Anma Arkadaş".
In the early 1970s, he formed the group Ter with former members of the band Bunalım. They only recorded one single, "Hor Görme Garibi", before breaking up. In 1973, his first solo album, Erkin Koray, was issued. He left Istanbul Records after the release, and in 1974, signed with Doglan Records, which released his dabke single "Şaşkın".
Koray, alongside Orhan Gencebay, were the inventors of the electro baglama, the electric version of a traditional Turkish musical instrument related to the lute.
Koray died on 7 August 2023, at the age of 82, in Toronto, Canada, from lung disease.
Discography Erkin Koray (1973) Elektronik Türküler (1974) 2 (1976) Erkin Koray Tutkusu (1977) Benden Sana (1982) İlla Ki (1983) Ceylan (1985) Gaddar (1986) Çukulatam Benim (1987) Hay Yam Yam (1989) Tamam Artık (1990) Gün Ola Harman Ola (1996) Devlerin Nefesi (1999)
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Important facts
People in Erkin Koray's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Erkin Koray's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Erkin Koray?
Turkish singer-songwriter (1941–2023)
When was Erkin Koray born?
Erkin Koray was born on 24 June 1941 in Istanbul.
When did Erkin Koray die?
Erkin Koray died on 7 August 2023 in Toronto.
What was Erkin Koray's occupation?
Erkin Koray was a singer, guitarist, rock musician, composer, musician and public speaker.
What nationality was Erkin Koray?
Erkin Koray was Turkish.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Erkin Koray. https://biography.guide/erkin-koray/
MLA: "Erkin Koray." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/erkin-koray/.
Chicago: "Erkin Koray." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/erkin-koray/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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