Kurtalan Ekspres is a Turkish Anatolian rock band that has worked with several famous lead singers, such as Cem Karaca, Cahit Berkay, BarÃ±à  Manço. The band takes its name from a train named Kurtalan Express, which travels between Kurtalan and Haydarpaà Âa. Kurtalan Ekspres was founded by BarÃ±à  Manço in 1971, and initially included Murat Ses, Erdinç Avcñ, Fuat Güner, Celal Güven, ÃÂzkan UÃÂur and Ali Serdar. In the late-1970s Bahadñr Akkuzu joined the group as the lead guitarist. After BarÃ±à  Manço's death in 1999, the band began working with Cem Karaca. After Cem Karaca's death in 2004, Bahadñr Akkuzu took over the vocals, and later died of a heart attack in 2009.
The band took part as the orchestra of the programmes and 4ÃÂ21 Doludizgin, which Manço used to present.
Kurtalan Ekspres was formed in 1972 by BarÃ±à  Manço to accompany him on records and at concerts. The band's first line-up consisted of drummer Nur Moray and percussionist , who would stay as a member of the band for many years; drummer Ali Serdar and guitarist Fuat Güner, who had worked with Manço in Kaygñsñzlar; bass guitarist ÃÂzkan UÃÂur and flutist Erdinç Avcñ. The band had a change of members before it could even produce a record. Their first 45-rpm was "ÃÂlüm Allah'ñn Emri / Gamzedeyim Deva Bulmam" released in 1972.
Drums: Ali Serdar (1971), Nur Moray (1971-1976), Hüdai ÃÂzgüder (1971-1972), Engin YörükoÃÂlu (1972-1974, deceased in 2010), Caner Bora (1974-1988) Hüseyin Cebeci (1988-1995), Recep Ià Âñk (1987-1999), Cihangir Akkuzu (1995-)
Bass Guitar: ÃÂzkan UÃÂur (1971, 1972-1974, 1976), Mithat Danñà Âan (1971-1972, 1974-1976), Ahmet Güvenç (1976-1988, 1991-)
Tumba: Celal Güven (1971-1988)
Electric Guitar: Fuat Güner (1971-1972, 1978), Ohannes Kemer (1971-1974, 1975, 1976-1977, deceased in 2012), Nezih CihanoÃÂlu (1972), Kirkor Kalender (1972), Mustafa Sarñà Âñn (1974), Nurhan ÃÂzcan (1974), Samim Boztaà  (1975), Fehimen UÃÂurdemir (1976, 1980), ÃÂzkan UÃÂur (1978-1985), Bahadñr Akkuzu (1978-2009, deceased in 2009)
Flute: Erdinç Avcñ (1971-1972), Oktay AldoÃÂan (1974-1982, deceased in 2014), Serdar Ertürk (1980-1988), Serdar Akatlar (1980-1983)
Keyboard: Murat Ses (1972-1974), Yalçñn Gürbüz (1975), Kñlñç Danñà Âman (1976-1977, 1978-1980), ÃÂmür Gidel (1978-1985), Nejat Tekdal (1980-1982), Jean Jacques Falaise (1985-1986), Ufuk Yñldñrñm (1988-1996), Garo Mafyan (1988-1992), Elif Turhan (1991), Eser Taà Âkñran (1995-)