( CNN ) Kayahan , one of Turkey 's best-loved singers and songwriters , died of cancer Friday at the age of 66 . He had performed most recently in Istanbul on Valentine 's Day . The performer , who was also an accomplished guitarist , was first diagnosed with cancer in 1990 , the year he competed in the Eurovision Song Contest , and the year before he released the album that ignited his career . The cancer returned in 2005 and then again in 2014 , Turkey 's semiofficial Anadolu Agency reported . He died Friday in a hospital in Istanbul , five days after his 66th birthday . `` We are in grief over losing Kayahan , who contributed to Turkish music with countless compositions and marked a generation with his songs , '' Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu tweeted . The singer , whose full name was Kayahan Acar , was born in Izmir province , in western Turkey on March 29 , 1949 . He grew up in Ankara , Turkey 's capital , before moving to Istanbul . In 1990 , he competed in the Eurovision Song Contest , finishing 17th . The following year he released an album titled `` I Made a Vow , '' which catapulted him to prominence . Though he recorded nearly 20 albums , that one would remain his most popular . His final album was released in 2007 . Other artists recorded his material throughout his career . Videos available online show a vibrant performer with a thick shock of dark hair as he accompanies himself on guitar and croons in a clear tenor . Kayahan was best known for his love songs . More recent videos show a frailer performer , seated and without a guitar , but still clearly glorying in the joy of singing a song .
Kayahan wrote some of Turkey 's best-loved pop songs . The singer was first diagnosed with cancer in February . He most recently performed in 1990 in Istanbul .