Zeki Müren

Zeki Müren (2 January 1931 – 24 September 1996) was a Turkish classical music singer, composer, songwriter, actor, and poet. He earned the nicknames "The Sun of Art" and "Pasha," and is remembered as a major figure in Turkish classical music. In 1991, he was named a "State Artist" for his contributions to the arts. He was also the first singer in Turkey to receive a gold certification, and over his career he recorded over 600 songs.

Müren was born in the Ortaköy neighborhood of Bursa, the only child of timber merchant Kaya and Hayriye Müren. His musical talent was noticed by teachers at Bursa Osmangazi School, where he took a leading role in school musicals—his first part was a shepherd. After finishing secondary school in Bursa, he went to Istanbul and attended Istanbul Boğaziçi High School, graduating as the top student. He then studied decorative arts at the Istanbul State Academy of Fine Arts (now Mimar Sinan University) from 1950 to 1953.

While still a university student in 1950, Müren won first place out of 186 contestants in a TRT Istanbul Radio music competition. His first live radio performance on 1 January 1951 was praised by critics; he was accompanied by musicians Hakkı Derman, Şerif İçli, Şükrü Tunar, Refik Fersan, and Necdet Gezen. Hamiyet Yüceses called in to congratulate him. That same week, clarinetist Şükrü Tunar took Müren to his studio in Yeşilköy, where he recorded his first phonograph record, "Muhabbet Kuşu." This record made him famous across Anatolia. He then performed various songs on Turkish radios, with his live radio programs airing for 15 years. He gave his first live concert on 26 May 1955, often wearing self-designed clothes and introducing innovations like uniforms and a T-shaped stage. For 11 years, he performed with Behiye Aksoy at Maksim Casino. In 1976, he became the first Turkish artist to perform at London's Royal Albert Hall. In total, he recorded over 600 songs. His first recorded song was "Bir Muhabbet Kuşu" by Şükrü Tunar, and his 1955 song "Manolyam" earned him Turkey's first gold certification. He was named a State Artist in 1991.