İlhan Şeşen (1948–2025) was a multifaceted Turkish musician, songwriter, and actor, whose career spanned several decades and left a lasting imprint on Turkey's cultural landscape. Born in Manisa, he began his musical journey in 1968, releasing his first single, "Kavga," in 1971. After earning a law degree from Istanbul University and practicing law for a decade, he shifted his focus entirely to music. In 1983, Şeşen co-founded the folk-rock group Grup Gündoğarken with his nephews Gökhan and Burhan Şeşen, contributing to Turkey's popular music scene. Embarking on a solo career, he released several albums, including Aşk Haklı (1994), Neler Oluyor Bize? (2001), and Aşk Yalan (2005), showcasing his talent as a singer-songwriter. His songwriting prowess was further evidenced by penning "Rüzgar," famously performed by Leman Sam. Şeşen also made significant contributions to Turkish television, appearing in series such as Mühürlü Güller, Aliye, and Paramparça. Diagnosed with lung cancer in late 2023, İlhan Şeşen passed away on 26 May 2025 in Istanbul at the age of 76.
