Klips ve Onlar — Turkish band and Eurovision 1986 act

Eurovision 1986 and the song "Halley"

In 1986 the group represented Turkey at Eurovision with a lively, contemporary pop entry titled "Halley," a reference to Halley's Comet, which was widely talked about that year because of its return to the inner solar system. The contest took place in Bergen, Norway, and Klips ve Onlar's entry finished in ninth place overall. That placement was Turkey's best result in the contest up to that time and helped raise public interest in the nation's future Eurovision efforts.

Lineup and personnel

The act that won the national selection consisted of five members: Sevingül Bahadır, Gür Akad, Emre Tukur, Derya Bozkurt and Seden Kutlubay. For the international stage, however, Seden Kutlubay did not travel with the group; contemporary reports and later accounts suggested personal and scheduling reasons for her withdrawal. She was replaced for the Eurovision performance by a young vocalist, Candan Erçetin, who sang with the ensemble on the Bergen stage.

Aftermath and legacy

While Klips ve Onlar did not remain prominent as an ongoing band, the Eurovision appearance carried lasting significance. The result marked a step forward in Turkey's Eurovision record and is often cited in retrospectives about the country's evolving approach to the contest. The involvement of Candan Erçetin is also notable because she later established a successful solo career in Turkey and is frequently mentioned in biographies as having an early high-profile exposure at Eurovision.

Notable facts

• "Halley" drew topical inspiration from a widely observed astronomical event, giving the song contemporary resonance in 1986.
• The group's ninth-place finish was, at the time, the highest ranking Turkey had achieved at Eurovision.
• Recordings and television footage of the performance remain part of Eurovision archives and are referenced in histories of Turkey's participation in the contest.

Today Klips ve Onlar are most frequently recalled in connection with that single international television performance and its contribution to the careers of some of the singers involved, as well as to the broader story of Turkey's presence at Eurovision.