Moğollar
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Founder | Aziz Azmet, Murat Ses, Cahit Berkay, Hasan Sel, Engin Yörükoğlu |
| Headquarters | Turkey |
Area served | Turkey, France, Belgium |
Key people | Cahit Berkay, Taner Öngür, Serhat Ersöz, Emrah Karaca, Kemal Küçükbakkal |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Moğollar (known as Mongols in Turkish) stands as a trailblazing Turkish rock ensemble and a key originator of the Anatolian rock genre, sustaining activity for more than four decades. Their music intricately merges the complex layers of Turkish folk traditions with contemporary pop influences.
History
Established toward the end of 1967 by Aziz Azmet, Murat Ses, Cahit Berkay, Hasan Sel, and Engin Yörükoğlu, Moğollar set out to integrate Anatolian folk tunes with modern pop music techniques. In 1970, Taner Öngür, previously affiliated with Meteorlar and the Erkin Koray Quartet, took over bass duties from Hasan Sel.
Aziz Azmet departed in July 1970 due to artistic disagreements, with Ersen Dinleten stepping in briefly. That same year, the group released the single Ternek/Haliç'te Gün Batışı before moving their base to Paris and securing a three-year agreement with CBS. Under Guild International du Disque, they issued Hitchin/Behind the Dark (1972) and the album Danses et Rythmes de la Turquie -- d'Hier d'Aujourd'hui, which earned them the 1971 Grand Prix du Disque awarded by the French Académie Charles Cros and invited comparisons to Pink Floyd. During this era, they collaborated with Barış Manço while in Belgium.
In 1968, Moğollar achieved third place in Turkey's Golden Microphone competition. Barış Manço joined as lead singer in 1971, prompting a temporary name change to Manchomongol; this collaboration lasted four months and yielded two singles. Drummer Engin Yörükoğlu remained in Paris and was succeeded by Ayzer Danga from Mavi Işıklar.
Early 1972 saw Moğollar recording a single alongside Selda Bağcan; Ersen returned to the band in July. Murat Ses exited in August. By September, Cem Karaca had become the lead vocalist, producing popular tracks such as Namus Belası.
In 1974, both Taner Öngür and Ayzer Danga left the lineup. Öngür went on to join groups like Dadaşlar and Dervişan alongside Cem Karaca; meanwhile, Danga contributed to Erkin Koray's 'Elektronik Türküler' before retiring from his musical career following various band involvements. Cahit Berkay relocated to France and collaborated with Engin Yörükoğlu on two albums under the Moğollar name, as well as a single with Ali Rıza Binboğa (1975). The band ultimately disbanded in 1976.
After a 17-year hiatus, Berkay, Öngür, and Yörükoğlu reunited Moğollar in 1993 with keyboardist Serhat Ersöz joining them. Meanwhile, Murat Ses pursued an international solo career.
In 2007, TBWA featured Moğollar's late-1960s piece Garip Çoban (composed by Murat Ses) in Sony PlayStation 3's "This is Living" advertising campaign. That same year, Emrah Karaca—son of Cem Karaca—became part of the group as vocalist and guitarist. Engin Yörükoğlu was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2007 and passed away three years later.
Members
- Current members
- Cahit Berkay – bağlama, guitar, kamancheh, mandolin, yaylı tanbur, vocals (1968–1976, 1993–present)
- Taner Öngür – bass guitar, vocals (1969–1974, 1993–present)
- Serhat Ersöz – keyboards (1993–present)
- Emrah Karaca – vocals, guitar (2007–present)
- Kemal Küçükbakkal – drums (2011–present)
- Former members
- Aziz Azmet – vocals, guitar (1967–1970) (deceased)
- Murat Ses – synthesizer, Hammond organ (1967–1972)
- Hasan Sel – bass guitar (1968–1969)
- Engin Yörükoğlu – drums (1969–1971, 1974–1976, 1993–2010) (deceased)
- Ersen Dinleten – vocals (1970, 1972)
- Ayzer Danga – drums (1971–1974) (deceased)
- Barış Manço – vocals (1971–1972) (deceased)
- Selda Bağcan – vocals (1972)
- Cem Karaca – vocals (1972–1974) (deceased)
- Mithat Danışan – bass guitar (1974, 1975)
- Turhan Yükseler – keyboards, piano (1974, 1975)
- Tufan Altan – drums (1974, 1975)
- Sulubika – flute (1975)
- Michael Shollet – bass guitar (1975)
- Romen Petiter – keyboards, piano (1975)
- Utku Ünal – drums (2010–2011)
Studio albums
- 1971: Les Danses et Rythmes de la Turquie d'hier à aujourd'hui (Released in Turkey as Anadolu Pop)
- 1975: Hittit Sun (Turkish edition titled Düm-Tek)
- 1976: Ensemble d'Cappadocia (Known in Turkey as Moğollar)
- Moğollar '94 (1994)
- Dört Renk (1996)
- 30. Yıl (1998)
- Yürüdük Durmadan (2004)
- Umut Yolunu Bulur (2009)
- Anadolu Efsaneleri (2013)
- Unutulmayan Plaklar Arşiv, Vol. 1 (2015)
- 2.2.1973 Ankara (2016)
- Anatolian Sun (2020)
Singles
- Eastern Love / Artık Çok Geç (1968)
- Mektup / Lazy John (1968)
- Everlasting Love / Hard Work (1968)
- Ilgaz / Kaleden Kaleye Şahin Uçurdum (1968)
- Sessiz Gemi / İndim Havuz Başına (1969)
- Dağ Ve Çocuk / İmece (1970)
- Ağlama / Yalnızlığın Acıklı Güldürüsü (1970)
- Garip Çoban / Berkay Oyun Havası (1970)
- Ternek / Haliç'te Güneşin Batışı (1970)
- Hitchin / Behind The Dark (1970)
- Behind The Dark / Madımak / Lorke (1971)
- Hitchin / Hamsi (1971)
- İşte Hendek İşte Deve / Katip Arzuhalim Yaz Yare Böyle (1971)
- Binboğanın Kızı / Ay Osman (1971)
- Yalan Dünya / Kalenin Dibinde (1972)
- Alageyik Destanı / Moğol Halayı (1972)
- Çığrık / Sıla (1972)
- Sor Kendine / Garip Gönlüm (1972)
- Obur Dünya / El Çek Tabib (1973)
- Gel Gel / Üzüm Kaldı (1973)
- Namus Belası / Gurbet (1974)
- Tanrıların Arabaları / Bu Nasıl Dünya? (1974)
- Birlik için Elele / Sevgimin Derdi Albümler (feat. Ali Rıza Binboğa) (1975)
Compilations
- Anılarla Moğollar ve Silüetler (1990)
- Anadolupop 70'li Yıllar (1993)
- Moğollar 1968-2000 (2000)