Muslum Gurses Dies: Beloved Turkish Singer Dead At 59
Muslum Gurses, a popular Turkish singer known for his Arabic-inspired songs and rabid fans, has died at age 59.
The singer had been in Istanbul’s Memorial Hospital since he had heart bypass surgery in November, and cardiologist Deniz Senser said he died of heart failure on Sunday.
Muslum Gurses recorded more than a dozen albums, and was known for melding Turkish folk instruments with Arabic melodies, The Associated Press noted. He gained a cult following in Turkey and across the globe f=or his interpretation of Turkish pop and rock sounds, the report added.
Gurses became known as the “father of Arabesque music” in Turkey, World Bulletin noted. While in the hospital Gurses was visited by many Turkish celebrities and singers, including singer Ferdi Tayfur.
“We should be ready for anything to happen,” Tayfur said shortly after visiting. “Everything has been done medically. We expect prayer.”
His funeral is scheduled for Monday in Istanbul.
As Muslum Gurses died in Turkey, a pair of iconic and influential singers also died in the United States within the past few weeks. Damon Harris and Richard Street, members of the Motown group the Temptations, both died within a few days of each other.
Harris died in February of prostate cancer at age 63. Street passed away a few days later after a brief hospital stay when doctors found clots in his lungs.
As Muslum Gurses dies he leaves a void for many of his devoted followers. His fans actually were so enthralled with his songs that many of them actually cut themselves with razor blades at his concert, The Associated Press noted.
