Turkish music history is full of names that became legends with their colorful personalities. Did you know Barış Manco's greatest passion outside music was collecting? The artist, who owned over 3,000 antiques, was particularly interested in Ottoman-era silver pieces. He often wore a historic necklace he bought at an auction in the 1990s.

Zeki Müren's perfectionism reflected in his stage costumes. He designed each outfit himself, meticulously overseeing every detail from fabric selection to stitching. For a 1976 TV program, he spent 18 days just on the embroidery of a collar. This perfectionism was what made him the "Sun of Art."

Beyond Cem Karaca's political stance was his fascinating passion for languages. Fluent in English and German, Karaca even worked as a waiter at a Paris café in the 1980s to improve his French. The artist, who sang in Kurdish and Armenian alongside Turkish, always respected Anatolia's cultural diversity.

Sezen Aksu's songwriting rituals are quite intriguing. Aksu, who uses a specific pen when composing, has stated coffee and dark chocolate play key roles in her creative process. A 2003 journal entry reads: "Songs are born in the silence of night."

Müzeyyen Senar's story of overcoming stage fright inspires young musicians. After fainting from excitement during her first concert, Senar avoided the stage for a year. She returned to music when, while working as a cleaner at an Istanbul nightclub, the owner insisted she pick up the microphone again.

Fikret Kızılok's love for nature influenced his music. The artist, who frequently visited Kaz Mountains, wrote "Şeker Oğlan" inspired by a story told by an old man in a village café. He was known to take long forest walks with his guitar, composing while listening to nature's sounds.

Ajda Pekkan's discipline is the secret behind her long-lasting career. In over 50 years on stage, Pekkan never canceled a show, known for sticking to her training regimen. In a 2015 interview, she said: "I always do 30 minutes of vocal exercises before performing."

Few know about Tarkan's career beginnings. Discovered while working at a German factory, the artist came to Istanbul for his first album recordings with just $200. He recorded the demo for "Kıl Oldum" at a friend's house, which caught the record label's attention.

Bülent Ortaçgil's minimalist lifestyle parallels the simplicity in his music. Living modestly in Kadıköy, the artist has used the same guitar for 30 years. His saying "I didn't find music, music found me" summarizes his philosophy.

What did these legends teach us? Perhaps the most important lesson is that great artists stand out not just through talent, but also their passions, discipline and humanity. As Zeki Müren said: "Art first requires being human."