Singer, songwriter, and musician Erkin Koray – born Mustafa Erkin Koray in Kadıköy, Istanbul, Turkey on June 24, 1941 – was a pioneer of Anatolian rock (Turkish psychedelic rock). His musical career began in 1957 when he and his band played covers of American rock and roll artists like Elvis Presley and Fats Domino. His style changed over the years as rock music progressed and by 1966, he had embraced psychedelic rock and released his single, "Anma Arkadaş," in 1967. Now referred to as Anatolian rock, Erkin Koray was an early pioneer of a new musical movement that blended Turkish folk with psychedelic rock and created a unique sound. After several more singles throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, he formed the group Ter and released one single, “Hor Görme Garibi,” in 1972 before splitting the group up and continuing with his solo career. He issued his self-titled debut solo album in 1973 and followed it with Elektronik Türküler a year later. Nicknamed ‘Erkin Baba’ (Erkin the Father), he followed that release with albums such as Erkin Koray Tutkusu (1977), Benden Sana (1982), Illâ Ki (1983), Ceylan (1985), Hay Yam Yam (1989), Tamam Artik (1990), Tek Başına Konser (1991), Gün Ola Harman Ola (1996) and Devlerin Nefesi (1999). While his later output slowed down, there remained an interest in his early catalog, which was reissued or compiled many times including The Best of Erkin Koray (1991), Erkin Koray (1998), Meçhul: Singles & Rarities (2011), Arap Saçi (2013), and Şaşkın (2022). Erkin Koray died in Toronto, Canada on August 7, 2023, at the age of 82.
