Unforgettable voice of pop music laid to rest

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Ayten Alpman was best known for her song ‘Bir Başkadır Benim Memleketim’ that was released in 1974. She died of chronic lung failure on April 21 at age 83. AA photo

An unforgettable voice in Turkish pop music, Ayten Alpman, who died of chronic lung failure April 20 at the hospital in Istanbul where she had been receiving medical treatment, was laid to rest yesterday at Ulus Cemetery.

Alpman, 82, was famous for her song “Bir Başkadır Benim Memleketim,” released in 1974. Born in 1930 in Istanbul, Alpman worked as a soloist for Istanbul Radio after finishing high school. The first song she performed on the radio was “You Are Always in My Heart.” She performed onstage for the first time at the Taksim Municipality Casino, and later began performing jazz songs with the support of late Turkish music producer Arif Mardin.

Alpman performed in public for the last time in 1990, and had an operation on her vocal cords in 1995. An album, including all of her best-known songs was released in 1999. Alpman had two children with her first husband, musician İlham Gencer. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan released a message on Alpman’s death April 21, in which he said Alpman’s songs will be remembered forever.