Legends of Turkish Rock Music: From Erkin Koray to Duman

Turkish rock music boasts a rich tradition that began in the 1960s with pioneers like Erkin Koray, Cem Karaca and Barış Manco. This initial period, called "Anatolian rock," synthesized Western instruments with Eastern melodies. The 1990s became Turkish rock's golden age with bands like Bulutsuzluk Özlemi, Mor ve Ötesi and Şebnem Ferah taking the stage. In the 2000s, groups such as Duman, maNga and Hayko Cepkin reached wider audiences. Rock songs written in Turkish lyrics combined local culture with universal sound. Today, while underground bands keep rock's free spirit alive, major festivals feature both Turkish and international rock acts sharing the same stage.