Barış Akarsu

Infobox musical artist
Name = Barış Akarsu


Background = solo_singer
Born = Birth date|1979|6|29 in Zonguldak, Turkey
Died = Death date and age|2007|7|4|1979|6|29 in Bodrum, Turkey
Origin = Bartın, Turkey
Instrument = Vocals, Electric Guitar
Genre = Rock, Anadolu Rock
Years_active = 2004 - 2007
Label = Seyhan Müzik
URL = http://www.baris-akarsu.com

Barış Akarsu (June 29, 1979 Amasra, Zonguldak - July 4, 2007 Bodrum, Muğla) was a Turkish rock musician and actor who reached fame after winning the television series "Akademi Türkiye" (Academy Turkey) in July 2004. He released two studio albums in three years. He is also the star of the comedy television series "Yalancı Yarim" (My Lying Lover) which is being aired on Star TV.

On his way from a charity concert for children, he was seriously injured in a car accident on his birthday, 29 June 2007, leaving most of his vital parts disabled. On 4 July 2007, he died of the consequences of the accident at the age of 28.

Early life

Akarsu grew up in his hometown Amasra in the north of Turkey's Black Sea region. He was a huge fan of rock music in general, listening to music from Ruhi Su, Cem Karaca and Barış Manço as well as Western acts like Led Zeppelin or U2.

Growing up, friends and Akarsu gathered at the seaside of Amasra to chat and sing songs while playing guitar. There, Akarsu formed his early ties with singing and playing instruments. Music always played a crucial part in his life. His other big ambition was tae kwon do, basketball and sailing (in high-school he was sailing professionally in Amasra Sailing Club) [ [http://www.haber7.com/haber.php?haber_id=253775 Haber7.com July 5, 2007] ] .

Music career

Before reaching fame with his musical and acting projects, Akarsu worked as an animator and musician in Antalya's seaside. Later, he went to Karadeniz Ereğli giving concerts in a number of bars, television and radio shows before joining "Academy Turkey". Shortly after winning the show, he moved to Istanbul to continue and further his career.

BARIS released his first album “Islak Islak” and on August 2006, he released his second album “Dusmeden Bulutlarda Kosmam Gerek” both produced by Seyhan Music. He has music videos for his songs “Islak Islak”, “Kimdir O”, “Mavi” and “Amasra” from his first album.He also has music videos for his songs “Vurdum En Dibine Kadar” and “Yaz Demedim” from his second album.“Ben” and “Yeter Be” from his second album was written and composed by him.Barış Akarsu was working on his third album.

Akarsu's first and only appearance as an actor is in the popular comedy series "Yalancı Yarim". It was designed as a funny summer program but after its success and requests from fans, producers continued the shootings of new episodes. In the show, Akarsu portrays a wealthy young man, Tarık Tekelioğlu, who goes to Italy for his education but rather becomes the most successful rally driver. His father, the owner of a bank, finds out the truth about his son and Tarık is forced to come back and stay in Turkey in order to work and pay off his education debts to his father. Thus, with a false surname, Tarık applies for a job as driver for Naz, whose father needs a loan for his business which he receives from the bank of Tarık's father - with the help of Tarık who provides Naz's father with inside knowledge of his father's preferences and dislikes also resulting in both men becoming friends. In the process, Tarık gets the job as driver and he and Naz fall in love with each other, however, neither wants to be the first to admit such to the other.

Death

On June 29, 2007, Akarsu and two friends were on their way to a celebration party for his birthday in Bodrum. Their car collided with a truck at an intersection with no traffic lights. The driver of the car, Zeynep Koçak (his ex-girlfriend), [ [http://www.havadis.net/haberdevami.asp?haberID=5192 Havadis.net July 13, 2007] ] and passenger Nalan Kahraman died on the day of the accident. Barış Akarsu was transported to a hospital with severe injuries. On July 4, 2007, Akarsu died due to complications arising from the accident.

The location of the accident is a crossroads at the end of a long and straight downhill grade. As a result of protests decrying the lack of traffic lights at that dangerous intersection, new lights have been installed [ [http://www.cnnturk.com/TURKIYE/haber_detay.asp?PID=318&haberID=370164 CNN Turk July 1, 2007] ] .

Awards

*Akademi Türkiye Music Contest First Prize Winner: June 2004
*Olay FM : The Best Runner-ups of 2005 : The Best Runner-Up Rock Starı
*Survey of Future Magazine: The Best Loved Rock Star of 2005
*Turuncu Media Group Organization GOLDEN NOTE MUSIC AWARDS : The Best Pop Rock Star.
*İstanbul University Informatics Awards Ceremony: Cem Karaca Special Prize
*USDER (International Health, Education and Social Services Association) : 1st Prize Winner in music branch in the Survey of 'The Bests of the Year'
*Cem Karaca SPECIAL PRIZE : Expo Channel (April 1st, 2007)
*13th Kral TV Video Music Awards : 1st Prize Winner in the branch of 'The Best ROCK STAR' (09.05.2007)

Discography

Albums

Singles

Notes

References

* [http://www.baris-akarsu.com The Official Barış Akarsu Site]
* [http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/magazin/anasayfa/7653157.asp?gid=180&sz=7761 İşte Barış Akarsu'nun kaza raporu]