Asım Can Gündüz

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Asım Can Gündüz or "AWESOME JOHN" as he is known by his english speaking fans (Born in 1955, İstanbul) is considered to be one of the best and most technically proficient guitarists in the world. He is also known as Awesome John, especially outside Turkey, partly because his name is pronounced very much like "Awesome John".

Gündüz lived in New York City until early 1980s where (as John Gundez) he formed "Zacharia", a 3 piece rock band playing his original matterial. Influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Alvin Lee and Jan Ackerman, Johnny Winter, he sold out 4 nights at The Bottom Line, a famous NYC night club. The club owner called him the best guitarist he ever heard, while being interviewed live on radio. He once opened for Leslie West, and was kept on stage for 4 encores. Awesome John also starred (portraying Jimi Hendrix) in the broadway Musical "Jimi and Janis Together Again". During these performances Awesome John was touted bt critics as "the coming of the next Jimi Hendrix". His acrrer in the USA was cut short after family obligations forced Gündüz to return to Turkey at the height of his USA carreer. Returning to Turkey, he formed many influential rock bands like Ambulans, Delikanlı, Afetmez, Çapkınlar,Hard Rakı. Gündüz finished the sessions for his first album Anasının Gözü Cin Gibi) in 1989, but it could only be released three years after, in 1992. The tapes of the record were circulated in these three years, making a great influence on the rock genre in Turkey. Gündüz released his second album Bir Sevgi Eseri / "A Work Of Love" which consisted of Turkish versions of Blues classic in 1998. Asım Can Gündüz is best know for his high energy guitar shows and powerful stage presence. But it seems that his greatest passion is charity work and social service for the needy. Having done countless charity concerts and fund raisers for victims of poverty and natural disasters.

Asım Can also has starred on mant TV and radio shows on ATV and Power FM, Kiss FM, TRT 1 and many others. Awesome John has had a major influence on Turkish TV/Radio Culture as a whole with his colorful and entertaining style of entertainment in which he satirically uses humor to openly talk about some of the most touchy social issues of Turkey. He has had a great "healing affect on Turkish culture" during some very turmoil times in Turkish history.

Outspoken and outlandish in his media presence Asım Can Gündüz is a mixture of modern electric guitar virtuoso, stage show man and talk show host, and social activist all in one making him very unique amongst Turkish Pop icons. He is credited with being the first artist to perform Turkish Rap, Turkish Hard Rock, and Turkish blues. It was not until the late 90's that the internet music scene discovered Awesome John transforming him into and internet cult icon. His virtuoso guitar skills and colorful showmanship has attracted veiwers from around the world to Awesome John related videos and info on the internet. It was after the year 2000 that Asım Can Gündüz / Awesome John once again started touring and performing outside of his native Turkey performing thrilling shows regularly posted on public internet video sites creating great interest from internet viewers.