I previously wrote an article about Harun Kolçak for the concert we held in April. In it, I wrote about how, during a difficult time, Harun Kolçak agreed to perform for TIDER, and the resulting event was a wonderful musical feast for the audience at the Bostancı Show Center. For details, I’m sharing the relevant link:
http://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/macera-dolu-bir-yardim-konseri
I’d also like to take this opportunity to mention a few things I didn’t mention in this article. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to meet Harun Kolçak, who visited us at our association before, during his visit. I had to travel to the European side for an important financial meeting. I would have loved to have been there. Our professional colleagues and my dear friend Uygar Özesmi were included in the photo taken with Harun Kolçak at our association. It was a happy coincidence that Uygar, incidentally, turned out to be an old friend of Harun Kolçak’s. This wonderful photo, radiating positive energy throughout, emerged:
Fate blessed me with the opportunity to meet him for the first time this year, before the concert we organized for TIDER at the Bostancı Performance Center on 9 April. We met backstage. As soon as he saw me, he said, “I didn’t expect the president of an association to be so young.” I smiled and said, “Yes, I’m young, but not that young.” Then I asked my classic question: “How old do you think I am?” He replied, “Since you ask like that, I guess you’re older than you look.” He then showed off his wit by saying, “But you don’t look more than 30.” I told him I’d be turning 40 in November. “Just as I predicted, you don’t look your age at all. Bravo!” I thanked him and noted that he looked healthy, then I said, in a classic way, “We appreciate your support for our association.” He emphasized that artists should support social responsibility projects like this and that he saw it as part of his social responsibility, saying, “You’re doing some great work, too. Congrats.”
The idea of a chain concert in his memory…
After this pleasant conversation, I wished him success at the concert and asked for his permission. The concert was fantastic. Here are some photos from the concert:
I saw him again after the concert. This time, he was sitting backstage with his artist friends (Çelik, Işın Karaca, Deniz Arcak, and Ümit Sayın), musicians, and their manager. When he saw me at the table, he introduced me by saying, “This young man is the President of TIDER. We held the concert on behalf of TIDER.” I said, “It was a wonderful concert. Thank you for your efforts and your art. Thank you once again on behalf of the association.” He said he enjoyed the concert very much. At the table were his managers, Özlem Özbakan, who had first contacted us, and Umut Kuzey. Umut Kuzey, the artist and manager who also performed a duet with Harun Kolçak, interjected and suggested that we could expand the scope of TIDER’s support by holding a chain concert throughout Türkiye. Harun Kolçak nodded in agreement. I said we could discuss the details later and left the table.
I’ll discuss the idea of organizing a chain of concerts spanning many regions of Türkiye with Özlem Özbakan and Umut Kuzey again. I believe we can hold these concerts in memory of Harun Kolçak and for the benefit of TIDER. All the best…
We accomplished many things at this concert, knowingly or unknowingly. First, we generated revenue for TIDER’s activities. Second, it was a great opportunity to raise TIDER’s awareness. We introduced Destek Market and Destek İK to thousands of people in the hall who heard about the event on social media. Third, we introduced a valued musician like Harun Kolçak to his fan base in Istanbul. Fourth, many of his artist friends accompanied Harun Kolçak. We facilitated artistic solidarity. Finally, we organized Harun Kolçak’s last major concert. I wish circumstances had been different so we could have performed concerts together all over Türkiye. Such was fate.
First of all, I would like to share the artist’s biography for those who do not know Harun Kolçak, a good man and one of the important values that Türkiye has raised (excerpt from Hürriyet’s news dated February 8, 2017):http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/harun-kolcak-kimdir-kac-yasinda-40359653
Harun Kolçak’s Biography
Harun Kolçak, the son of film artist Eşref Kolçak, was born in Istanbul on July 15, 1955. While studying at Saint Benoit, the artist began his musical career by playing bass guitar. As his passion for music grew, he spoke with his father, film artist Eşref Kolçak, interrupted his studies, and began his professional musical career. Known for his diverse credentials as a Turkish pop singer, composer, songwriter, and bass guitarist, Harun Kolçak began his career with Erkin Koray, known as the father of Anatolian Rock. He played bass guitar on Erkin Koray’s 1977 album Tutkusu (Tutkusu). Kolçak joined the Silahlıpoda Ritm 68 orchestra as bass guitarist in 1978. Upon returning from military service, he turned to jazz music, working with celebrities such as Aydın Esen, Neşet Ruacan-Nükhet Ruacan, and Erol Pekcan, broadening his musical experience. Around that time, Harun Kolçak received an offer from Onno Tunç to join his group.
For seven years, Kolçak played bass guitar, vocals, and performed solo with the Onno Tunç Orchestra. He won awards at the “Kuşadası Altın Güvercin Music Competition” and the Antalya “Akdeniz Akdeniz Music Competition” for his duets with Zerrin Özer and Aşkın Nur Yengi. He achieved a breakthrough with the album ‘Beni Affet’ (Forgive Me), a collaboration with Onno Tunç in 1991. Kolçak, who wrote and composed most of the songs on his albums, has also collaborated with other artists. In 1996, he was named ‘Second Best Singer’ at the 13-country ‘Müzikos Festivalis ’96’ in Lithuania. Kolçak released a solo album, ‘Yeni Doğuyorum’ (Rebirth), in 2012. In October 2013, he formed the band Harun Kolçak Rock Off. The band, which included Can Güney, Yusuf Tunceli, and Orkun Gezer, gave its first performance on Okan Bayülgen’s program Makina Kafa.
Harun Kolçak underwent surgery for prostate cancer in 2014. Explaining how he battled his illness, Kolçak said, “Death gives meaning to many things in life. If we were immortal, we wouldn’t value each other,” he explained that he overcame cancer through spirituality and followed an alkaline diet during this time.
Two unpleasant reflections
Harun Kolçak sadly passed away on 19 July. In his last tweets, the artist said, “Remember me from my songs.” I’d like to share a link to Harun Kolçak’s last album, which featured duets with many artists last year. Listen to it as much as you like (it starts with his duet with Gökhan Türkmen, “Yanımda Kal” (Stay with Me) on YouTube. You can also listen to all his other songs in a row):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXN8S8vvFxw&list=PLOSxKvRJnFDyD4VcsJLYwzEdmmfh2T-4J
I’d like to mention two things I didn’t like after Harun Kolçak’s passing. The first, unfortunately, is his father’s statements. I don’t know him personally, but when I first heard his words, I couldn’t help but think, “He could have said more positive and kind things about his son.” Out of respect for Harun Kolçak, I won’t go into detail on this subject.
I also dislike journalists who operate with the mindset that “anything goes for ratings.” In this sense, I think Cengiz Semercioğlu’s article, “What was written while he was alive is tarnished in death…”, is a great misfortune. For those interested, here’s the link to the article: http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yazarlar/cengiz-semercioglu/hayattayken-yazilanlar-olunce-karartiliyor-40527164
He needs to ask himself, “Did Harun Kolçak die from drugs and alcohol, or from cancer? Did he get his hands on him by badmouthing him? Was it worth it?”
I also want to say this to Cengiz Semercioğlu: People remember others by how they made them feel. We remember Harun Kolçak as a wonderful, caring person and one of Türkiye’s most valuable musicians whose songs enriched our lives. The rest is just detail. Just so you know.
On the way to his funeral, I turned on his songs on Spotify, just as he requested, and, listening to them in the car, I headed to Nişantaşı. As TIDER, we attended Harun Kolçak’s funeral at the Teşvikiye Mosque. Everyone was deeply saddened.
I saw Umut Kuzey at the funeral. The following exchange took place:
- Our condolences. We’re all very sorry.
- Thank you. Thank you so much for coming.
- We, as TIDER, have come in full force. My friends are here.
- Welcome.
- We’re so glad we organized the concert in April.
- Yes. That concert was Harun Kolçak’s last major concert. Harun was very happy with it.
- His happiness was evident that day. The concert was well-attended, and many of his artist friends were with him. It was wonderful. We had talked about organizing a chain concert that day. Should we pursue this in memory of Harun Kolçak?
- Of course, let’s go. Let’s talk about it.
- Okay, good. We’ll keep in touch.
Afterward, as the hearse left the mosque and headed for Gemlik, Bursa, we bid farewell with applause from all his loved ones.
May God have mercy on him. Rest in Peace, Harun Kolçak.
I’d like to end this article with the words our dear friend Itır Erhart, founder of Adım Adım, shared about Harun Kolçak on social media:
I was only 16 or 17 when I met our dear friend Harun Kolçak. The unique dialogue he had with his dog deeply touched me. I had my first vegetarian dinner at his house. I think I also heard the word ‘vegetarian’ for the first time from him. Harun loved all living things… He loved NGOs (he gave his last concert for the benefit of TIDER)… He loved to love. He was a very, very special person. Our condolences…
Tag: memoir
