16.10.2026 18:31
One of the unforgettable names of Black Sea music, Kazım Koyuncu's last favor asked of Volkan Konak before he passed away in 2005 has come up again. It has emerged that Koyuncu, who lost his life when he was only 33, entrusted the musician Selim Bölükbaşı, with whom he shared the stage, to Konak. After this request told years ago, Bölükbaşı took part in Volkan Konak's team for a long time. The story of the musician, who lost both artists, was heartbreaking.
Details of a request that Kazım Koyuncu conveyed to Volkan Konak before his death were remembered again after 21 years. At the center of this story that brought the paths of the two artists together is Selim Bölükbaşı, who plays the kemençe and tulum, important instruments of Black Sea music.
BEFORE HE DIED, HE ASKED VOLKAN KONAK FOR JUST ONE THING
Kazım Koyuncu, who reached a wide audience with the unique interpretation he brought to Black Sea music, died of lung cancer on June 25, 2005, when he was only 33. The artist, whose works such as “Hayde”, “İşte Gidiyorum”, “Didou Nana” and “Gelevera Deresi” are etched in memories, did not distance himself from music during his illness either. However, it was recounted that in the last period of Koyuncu's life, he thought not only about his own music career but also about the future of the friends he worked with. The person Koyuncu entrusted to Volkan Konak was Selim Bölükbaşı, who played kemençe and tulum in his group.
“TAKE CARE OF THIS BOY, TAKE HIM WITH YOU”
According to what radio host Altekin Erginel previously recounted on a program, Kazım Koyuncu spoke with Volkan Konak before he died and asked him to support the young musician Selim Bölükbaşı. It was recounted that Koyuncu expressed his request to Konak with the words “Take care of this boy, take him with you.” These words revealed the trust Koyuncu had in his friend with whom he made music and the importance he gave to his future. It was stated that Koyuncu did not speak only with Konak, but also told Selim Bölükbaşı with whom he should work in the future. It was conveyed that the artist told Bölükbaşı, “Selim, after me, the only person who suits you and whom you should work with must be Volkan Konak.”
HIS DYING WISH CAME TRUE! THEY SHARED THE SAME STAGE FOR YEARS
After Kazım Koyuncu's death in 2005, Volkan Konak proposed to Selim Bölükbaşı that they work together. Bölükbaşı had said in a previous statement that Konak had invited him to his team. Thus, the request Kazım Koyuncu had expressed before his death came true. Bölükbaşı performed on stage alongside Volkan Konak for many years. The friendship between the two important names of Black Sea music was also decisive in Selim Bölükbaşı's musical journey.
FIRST HE LOST KAZIM KOYUNCU, THEN VOLKAN KONAK
Selim Bölükbaşı, who worked with Volkan Konak for years, also lost the second figure who had an important place in his music life with the artist's passing. Bölükbaşı, who said later at an event he attended that he felt very lucky to have had the opportunity to work with both artists, expressed that he experienced the great pain of losing both of them early. While the trust Kazım Koyuncu left to Volkan Konak turned into a stage companionship lasting for years, after both artists, a story full of friendship and loyalty remained.