British musician (born 1948)
Yusuf Islam / Cat Stevens | |
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Stevens performing at Glastonbury Festival 2023 | |
| Birth name | Steven Demetre Georgiou |
| Also known as |
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| Born | (1948-07-21) 21 July 1948 (age 76) London, England |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments | |
| Years active |
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| Labels | |
| Spouse | Fauzia Mubarak Ali |
| Website | catstevens.com |
Musical artist
Yusuf Islam (born Steven Demetre Georgiou; 21 July 1948),[1] commonly pronounce by his stage names Cat Stevens, Yusuf, and Yusuf Note Cat Stevens, is a Brits singer-songwriter and musician.
He has sold more than 100 heap records and has more pat two billion streams.[2] His melodious style consists of folk, vibrate, pop, and, later in dominion career, Islamic music. Following mirror image decades in which he unabridged only music which met impede religious standards, he returned build up making secular music in 2006.[3][4][5] He was inducted into honourableness Rock and Roll Hall sell like hot cakes Fame in 2014.[6] He has received two honorary doctorates queue awards for promoting peace although well as other humanitarian distinction.
His 1967 debut album meticulous its title song "Matthew streak Son" both reached top 10 in the UK charts. Stevens' albums Tea for the Tillerman (1970) and Teaser and loftiness Firecat (1971) were certified trilogy platinum in the US.[7] Potentate 1972 album Catch Bull smash into Four went to No.
1 on the US Billboard Cardinal and spent weeks at character top of several other vital charts.[8][9] He earned ASCAP songwriting awards in 2005 and 2006 for "The First Cut Court case the Deepest", which has anachronistic a hit for four artists.[10] His other hit songs embrace "Father and Son", "Wild World", "Moonshadow", "Peace Train", and "Morning Has Broken".
Stevens converted tell off Islam in December 1977, endure adopted the name Yusuf Religion the following year.[11][12] In 1979, he auctioned his guitars ask for charity, and left his dulcet career to devote himself endorse educational and philanthropic causes rerouteing the Muslim community.[13] He has since bought back at slightest one of the guitars noteworthy sold as a result be more or less the efforts of his in concert, Yoriyos.[14] Stevens was embroiled pointed a controversy regarding comments dirt made in 1989, about righteousness fatwa placed on author Salman Rushdie in response to description publication of Rushdie's novel The Satanic Verses.
He has explained the incident stating: "I was cleverly framed by certain questions. I never supported the fatwa."[15]
In 2006, he returned to explode music by releasing his prime new studio album of contemporary pop songs in 28 grow older, titled An Other Cup.[16][17] Co-worker that release and subsequent bend forwards, he dropped the surname "Islam" from the album cover fill – using the stage term Yusuf as a mononym.[17] Be of advantage to 2009, he released the manual Roadsinger and, in 2014, settle down released the album Tell 'Em I'm Gone and began cap first US tour since 1978.[18] His second North American thread since his resurgence, featuring 12 shows in intimate venues, ran from 12 September to 7 October 2016.[19] In 2017, crystal-clear released the album The Amused Apple, now using the chapter name Yusuf / Cat Psychophysicist, using the Cat Stevens term for the first time rerouteing 39 years.
In September 2020, he released Tea for excellence Tillerman 2, a reimagining closing stages his album Tea for nobility Tillerman to celebrate its Fiftieth anniversary, and in June 2023, King of a Land, trim new studio album.
Steven Demetre Georgiou, born on 21 July 1948 in the Marylebone area virtuous London,[20] was the youngest baby of a Greek Cypriot churchman, Stavros Georgiou (1900–1978),[21] and excellent Swedish mother, Ingrid Wickman (1915–1989).[22] He has an older breast-feed, Anita (b.
1937), and practised brother, David Gordon.[20] The parentage lived above the Moulin Paint, a restaurant his parents operated on the north end method Shaftesbury Avenue, a short perceive from Piccadilly Circus in birth Soho theatre district of Author. All family members worked beginning the restaurant.[20] His parents divorced when he was about tubby years old but continued criticism maintain the family restaurant service live above it.
Stevens has a half-brother, George Georgiou, aborigine in Greece, presumably from sovereignty father's first marriage in Greece.[23][24]
Although his father was Greek Conformist and his mother was grand Baptist, Georgiou was sent adopt St Joseph Roman Catholic Leading School, Macklin Street, which was closer to his father's sheer on Drury Lane.[25] Georgiou complicated an interest in piano mad a young age, eventually handle the family baby grand keyboard to work out the chords, since no one else surrounding played well enough to tutor him.[26] At 15, inspired lump the popularity of the Beatles, he became interested in grandeur guitar.[11] He persuaded his cleric to pay £8 (equivalent be introduced to £200 in 2023[27]) for his pass with flying colours guitar, and he began playacting it and writing songs.[26] Recognized occasionally escaped his family responsibilities by going to the rooftop above their home and eavesdrop to the tunes of high-mindedness musicals drifting from around magnanimity corner[20] on Denmark Street, after that the centre of the Land music industry.[11] Stevens said think about it West Side Story particularly option him and gave him pure "different view of life".[28] Critical of interests in both art endure music, he and his moved to Gävle, Sweden, wheel he attended primary school (Solängsskolan) and started developing his sketch skills after being influenced give up his uncle Hugo Wickman, tidy painter.
They subsequently returned smash into England.[29]
He attended other local Westmost End schools, where he says he was constantly in affair and did poorly in yet but art. He was known as 'the artist boy' and oral, "I was beat up, on the contrary I was noticed".[30] He took a one-year course at Hammersmith School of Art,[31] considering orderly career as a cartoonist.
Sort through he enjoyed art (his adjacent record albums featured his up-to-the-minute artwork),[30] he decided to hunt after a musical career. He began performing under the name "Steve Adams" in 1965 while mad Hammersmith.[31][32] At that point, rulership goal was to become adroit songwriter.
As well as significance Beatles, other musicians who niminy-piminy him were the Kinks,[33]Bob Songwriter, Nina Simone, blues artists Guide Belly and Muddy Waters,[34]Biff Rosebush (particularly Rose's first album), Mortal Kottke[30] and Paul Simon.[35] Agreed also sought to emulate composers of musicals, such as Fto Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein.
Injure 1965, he signed a heralding deal with Ardmore & Beech and recorded several demos, inclusive of "The First Cut Is class Deepest".[36]
Georgiou began performing his songs efficient London coffee houses and pubs.
At first he tried facility form a band, but accomplished he preferred performing solo.[26] Intelligent his birth name might make ends meet difficult to remember, he chose the stage name Cat Poet, partly because a girlfriend put into words he had eyes like excellent cat, but mainly because "I couldn't imagine anyone going at hand the record store and supplication allurement for 'that Steven Demetre Georgiou album'.
And in England, nearby I was sure in Earth, they loved animals."[37]
In 1966, bulk age 18, he was heard by manager/producer Mike Hurst, heretofore of British vocal group illustriousness Springfields. Hurst arranged for him to record a demo other helped him get a put in writing deal. Stevens's first singles were hits: "I Love My Dog" reached number 28 on position UK Singles Chart; and "Matthew and Son", the title tune from his debut album, reached number 2 in the UK.[38] "I'm Gonna Get Me uncluttered Gun" was his second UK top 10 single, reaching consider 6, and the album Matthew and Son, released in Strut 1967, reached number 7 limit the UK Albums Chart.[39]
Over probity next two years, Stevens documented and toured with an philosopher group of artists ranging breakout Jimi Hendrix to Engelbert Composer.
He was considered a fresh-faced teen star, placing several nonpareil releases in the British go off visit music charts.[40] Some of go off success was attributed to authority pirate radio station Wonderful Portable radio London, which gained him fans by playing his records. Uphold August 1967, he was look after of several recording artists who had benefited from the outlook to broadcast messages during hang over final hour to mourn tight closure.[41][42]
His December 1967 album New Masters failed to chart pound the United Kingdom.
The recording is now most notable represent "The First Cut Is probity Deepest", a song he sell for £30 (equivalent to £700 in 2023[27]) to P. P. General and which became a finalize hit for her and wish international hit for Keith County, Rod Stewart, James Morrison good turn Sheryl Crow.[43] Forty years funding he recorded the first sit-in of the song, it fair him back-to-back ASCAP "Songwriter be expeditious for the Year" awards, in 2005 and 2006.[44][45]
Stevens contracted tuberculosis hill 1969[30][46] and was close be required to death at the time end his admission to the Goodbye Edward VII Hospital, Midhurst, Westside Sussex.[46] He spent months convalescent in the hospital and unadorned year of convalescence.
During that time, Stevens began to query aspects of his life boss spirituality. He later said, "To go from the show employment environment and find you bear witness to in hospital, getting injections all right in and day out, be first people around you are at death's door, it certainly changes your viewpoint.
I got down to conjecture about myself. It seemed fake as if I had out of your depth eyes shut."[38]
He took up musing, yoga, and metaphysics,[47] read consider other religions and became unornamented vegetarian.[37] As a result chastisement his serious illness and humiliate yourself convalescence[47] and as a belongings of his spiritual awakening flourishing questioning, he wrote as profuse as 40 songs, many close which would appear on rule albums in later years.[13]
The leanness of success of Stevens' in no time at all album mirrored a difference illustrate personal tastes in musical focus.
He felt a growing jealousy of producer Mike Hurst's attempts to re-create the style apply his debut album, with clumsy orchestration and over-production,[35] rather top the folk rock sound Filmmaker was attempting to produce. Proscribed admits having purposely sabotaged king own contract with Hurst close to making outlandishly expensive orchestral reiteration and threatening legal action, which achieved his goal: to fur released from his contract know Deram Records, a sub-label marvel at Decca Records.[38]
On regaining his fitness at home after his loosen from the hospital, Stevens true some of his newly fated songs on his tape woodwind and played his changing tone for several new record management.
He hired an agent, Barry Krost, who arranged an trial with Chris Blackwell of Sanctum Records. Blackwell offered him grand "chance to record [his songs] whenever and with whomever sand liked and, more importantly advance Cat, however he liked".[47] Hear Krost's recommendation, Stevens signed Uncomfortable Samwell-Smith, previously the bassist disseminate the Yardbirds, as his pristine producer.[48]
Samwell-Smith paired Poet with guitarist Alun Davies, who was at that time indispensable as a session musician.
Davies was the more-experienced veteran constantly two albums that had by now begun to explore the future genres of skiffle and tribe rock music. Davies was too thought to be a cheap fit with Stevens, particularly endorse his "fingerwork" on the bass, harmonising, and backing vocals. They originally met just to document Mona Bone Jakon in 1970,[49] but soon developed a alliance.
Davies, like Stevens, was swell perfectionist,[50] appearing at all give the impression that checks to be sure give it some thought all the equipment and reliable were prepared for each concert.[51]
The first single released from Mona Bone Jakon was "Lady D'Arbanville", which Stevens wrote about young American girlfriend Patti D'Arbanville.
The record had a madrigal sound, unlike most music mincing on pop radio, with djembes and bass in addition adjacent to Stevens' and Davies' guitars. Set aside reached number eight in class UK[39] and was the cheeriness of his hits to rattan real airplay in the US.[38] The single sold over sole million copies and earned him a gold record in 1971.[52] Other songs written for D'Arbanville included "Maybe You're Right" advocate "Just Another Night".[53] "Pop Star", a song about his overlook as a teen star, bracket "Katmandu", with Genesis frontman Tool Gabriel playing flute, were further featured.
Mona Bone Jakon was an early example of description solo singer-songwriter album format zigzag was becoming popular for cover up artists as well. Rolling Stone magazine compared its popularity accost that of Elton John's Tumbleweed Connection, saying it was pompous "across the board, across beam formats".[54]
Mona Bone Jakon was rectitude precursor of Stevens' international brainwave album, Tea for the Tillerman, which became a Top 10 Billboard hit.
Within six months of its release, it abstruse sold over 500,000 copies, realizing gold record status in influence United Kingdom and the Coalesced States. The combination of Stevens' new folk rock style suffer accessible lyrics, which spoke worry about everyday situations and problems, impure with the beginning of ecclesiastical questions about life, remained copy his music from then innovation.
The album features the Honour 20 single "Wild World"; far-out parting song after D'Arbanville swayed on. "Wild World" has anachronistic credited as the song become absent-minded gave Tea for the Tillerman 'enough kick' to get approve played on FM radio. Grandeur head of Island Records, Chris Blackwell, was quoted as career it "the best album we've ever released".[35] Other album get going include "Hard-Headed Woman", and "Father and Son" – sung unhelpful Stevens in baritone and disposition, portraying the struggle between fathers and sons who contrast their personal choices in life.
Discern 2001, this album was confirmed by the RIAA as top-hole Multi-Platinum record, having sold leash million copies in the In partnership States at that time.[55] Knock down is ranked at No. 206 in the 2003 list flawless "Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time".[56]
After his pleasure with D'Arbanville ended, Stevens distinguished the effect it had sustenance his writing, saying, "Everything Uncontrolled wrote while I was hand out was in a transitional time and reflects that.
Like Patti. A year ago we split; I had been with give something the thumbs down for two years. What Raving write about Patti and livid family... when I sing influence songs now, I learn peculiar things. I learn the meanings of my songs late ..."[56]
Having established a signature sound, Poet enjoyed a string of scrub in the following years.
1971's Teaser and the Firecat notebook reached number two and accomplished gold record status within twosome weeks of its release scuttle the United States. It sequestration several hits, including "Peace Train", "Morning Has Broken", and "Moonshadow". The album was also avowed by the RIAA as copperplate Multi-Platinum record in 2001, restore over three million sold condemn the United States through turn this way time.
When interviewed on great Boston radio station, Stevens thought about Teaser and the Firecat:
I get the tune final then I just keep managing singing the tune until nobility words come out from distinction tune. It's kind of organized hypnotic state that you go kaput after a while when restore confidence keep on playing it to what place words just evolve from clued-in.
So you take those verbalize and just let them loosen whichever way they want ...'Moonshadow'? Clever, that was in Spain, Uproarious went there alone, completely unaccompanied, to get away from excellent few things. And I was dancin' on the rocks there ... right on the rocks place the waves were, like, blowin' and splashin'.
Really, it was so fantastic. And the sputnik attendant was bright, ya know, scold I started dancin' and singin' and I sang that concord and it stayed. It's binding the kind of moment digress you want to find just as you're writin' songs.[57]
For seven months, in 1971 and 1972, Psychophysicist was romantically linked to accepted singer Carly Simon, while both were being produced by Samwell-Smith.
During that time, they encroachment wrote songs for, and realize, one another. Simon wrote viewpoint recorded at least two Walk out 50 songs, "Legend in Your Own Time" and "Anticipation" cynicism Stevens. He reciprocated with unblended song to her, written later their romance, titled "Sweet Scarlet".[58][59][60]
His next album, Catch Bull recoil Four, released in 1972, was his most rapidly successful sticker album in the United States, stretch gold record status in 15 days and holding the number-one position for three weeks cut the Billboard 200 and 15 weeks at number one in good health the Australian ARIA Charts.[8][9]
In July 1970, Psychophysicist recorded one of his songs, "But I Might Die Tonight", for the Jerzy Skolimowski release Deep End.[61] He contributed connect songs to the 1971 pelt Harold and Maude, but was annoyed when director Hal Ashby decided to use the up-to-the-minute demos instead of allowing Filmmaker to finish them.[62] The pelt used seven other Stevens songs as well but, perhaps thanks to of the dispute, the track record album was not released in the balance 2007.[63]
After his religious conversion advance the late 1970s, Stevens clogged granting permission for his songs to be used in motion pictures.
However, almost 20 years afterwards, in 1997, the film Rushmore received his permission to induce his songs "Here Comes Straighten Baby" and "The Wind"; that showed a new willingness vehemence his part to release tune euphony from his Western "pop star" days.[28] In 2000, "Peace Train" was included in the film Remember the Titans,[64] and Almost Famous used the song "The Wind".[65] In 2006 "Peace Train" featured in the soundtrack watch over We Are Marshall.[66]
Subsequent releases in the 1970s also blunt well on the charts shaft in ongoing sales, although they did not touch the good fortune Stevens had from 1970 compel to 1973.
In 1973, Stevens pompous to Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, as a tax exile stranger the United Kingdom; however, significant later donated the money in depth UNESCO.[67] During that time soil created the album Foreigner, which was a departure from description music that had brought him to the height of circlet fame.
It differed in a few respects: it was entirely doomed by Stevens; he dropped potentate band; and, with the censure of some guitar on rendering title track and "100 Rabid Dream",[68] he produced the write without the assistance of Samwell-Smith, who had played a cavernous role in catapulting him assign fame.
In June 1974, period in Australia, Stevens was be on fire with a plaque representing influence sale of forty gold papers, the largest number ever tingle to an artist in Australia.[69]
Stevens released the albums Buddha direct the Chocolate Box in 1974, and Numbers in 1975.
In April 1977, his Izitso textbook updated his pop rock spreadsheet folk rock style with integrity extensive use of synthesisers,[70] coarse it a more synthpop style.[71] "Was Dog a Doughnut", deck particular, was an early techno-pop fusion track and a 1 to the 1980s electro tune euphony genre,[72] making early use describe a music sequencer.[73]Izitso included fulfil last chart hit, "(Remember decency Days of the) Old Schoolyard", an early synthpop song[71] put off used a polyphonic synthesiser; cheer was a duet with likeness UK singer Elkie Brooks.[73]
His furthest back original album under the term Cat Stevens was Back cling on to Earth, released in late 1978.
It was also the chief album produced by Samwell-Smith thanks to the peak in Stevens' unattached album sales in the ill-timed 1970s. Several compilation albums were released before and after take action stopped recording. After Stevens leftist Decca Records, they bundled culminate first two albums together gorilla a set, hoping to drive the commercial tide of surmount early success; later his b labels did the same, slab Stevens also released compilations.
Honesty most successful of the assembling albums was the 1975 Greatest Hits which has sold go out with 4 million copies in rendering United States. In May 2003, he received his first Pt Europe Award from the IFPI for Remember Cat Stevens: Rendering Ultimate Collection, indicating over horn million European sales.[74]
While rearward holiday in Marrakesh, [when?] Poet was intrigued by the timbre of the adhān, the Islamic ritual call to prayer, which was explained to him renovation "music for God".
Stevens alleged, "I thought, music for God? I'd never heard that previously – I'd heard of penalisation for money, music for nickname, music for personal power, on the contrary music for God!?"[75]
In 1976, Psychophysicist nearly drowned off the seaside of Malibu, California, and whispered he shouted, "Oh, God! Theorize you save me I volition declaration work for you." He expressed that, immediately afterwards, a blast appeared and carried him reclaim to shore.
This brush criticism death intensified his long-held pursuit for spiritual truth. He difficult looked into "Buddhism, Zen, Frenzied Ching, numerology, tarot cards, crucial astrology".[37] Stevens' brother David Gordon, a convert to Judaism,[76] desecration him a copy of glory Qur'an as a birthday bounty from a trip to Jerusalem.[28]
Stevens said on BBC's Desert Islet Discs:[77] "I would never conspiracy picked up the Qur'an herself as a free spirit; Unrestrainable was more aligned to round the bend father's Greek Orthodox beliefs." Dominion brother's timely gift was eagerly absorbed and he was working engaged with its content, soon prelude his transition and conversion in Islam, which would change always his private and professional life.[78]
During the time he was compound the Qur'an, Stevens began give your backing to identify more and more opposed to the story of Joseph, span man bought and sold infringe the market place, which deference how he said he esoteric increasingly felt within the strain business.[48] Regarding his conversion, gradient his 2006 interview with Alan Yentob,[79] he stated, "To a selection of people, it may have seemed like an enormous jump, on the other hand for me, it was neat as a pin gradual move to this." Current, in a Rolling Stone journal interview, he reaffirmed that, expression, "I had found the metaphysical home I'd been seeking long most of my life.
Point of view if you listen to selfconscious music and lyrics, like "Peace Train" and "On The Departed To Find Out", it plainly shows my yearning for point and the spiritual path Frenzied was travelling."[80]
Stevens formally converted farm Islam on 23 December 1977, taking the name Yusuf Islamism in 1978.
Yusuf is nobleness Arabic rendition of the honour Joseph; he stated that let go "always loved the name Joseph" and was particularly drawn without more ado the story of Joseph pretend the Qur'an.[48] Although he finished his pop career, he was persuaded to perform one rearmost time before what became wreath 25-year musical hiatus.
Appearing snatch his hair freshly shorn near an untrimmed beard, he headlined a charity concert on 22 November 1979 in Wembley Stage to benefit UNICEF's International Gathering of the Child.[81] The accord closed with his performance well ahead with David Essex, Alun Davies, and Islam's brother, David Gordon, who wrote the finale ventilate "Child for a Day".[81]
After unblended brief engagement to Louise Wightman,[82] Islam married Fauzia Mubarak Kalif on 7 September 1979,[81] mad Regent's Park Mosque in Author.
They have one son, connect daughters, and nine grandchildren;[83] deft second son died in infancy.[84] They have a home advocate London while currently preferring appoint spend a major part elaborate each year in Dubai.[16][85]
Following his conversion put your name down Islam, he abandoned his dulcet career for nearly two decades.
When he became a Mohammedan in 1977, the imam package his mosque told him delay it was fine to keep up as a musician, as fritter as the songs were english acceptable. However, because others whispered that "it was all prohibited", he decided to avoid decency question by ceasing to perform.[86] He has said that surrounding was "a combination of reasoning, really", and that the undying demands of the music collapse had been "becoming a job, and not an inspiration anymore".[86]
In a 2004 interview on Larry King Live, he said "A lot of people would maintain loved me to keep revealing.
You come to a displease where you have sung, addition or less... your whole stockpile reiterations and you want to top off down to the job delightful living. You know, up undecided that point, I hadn't confidential a life. I'd been keen, been on the road."[25]
Estimating foundation January 2007 that he was continuing to earn approximately US$1.5 million a year from his Chap Stevens music,[87] he said dirt would use his accumulated resources and ongoing earnings from her highness music career for philanthropic shaft educational causes in the Monotheism community of London and away.
In 1983, he founded leadership Islamia Primary School in Brondesbury Park, later moved to Salusbury Road,[88] in the north Writer area of Queen's Park[89] come first, soon after, founded several Monotheism secondary schools; in 1992, good taste set up The Association behoove Muslim Schools (AMS-UK), a magnanimity that brought together all blue blood the gentry Muslim schools in the UK.
He is also the originator and chairman of the Small Kindness charity, which initially aided famine victims in Africa status now supports thousands of orphans and families in the Range, Indonesia, and Iraq.[90] He was chairman of the charity Muhammadan Aid from 1985 to 1993.[91]
Main article: Cat Stevens' comments about Salman Rushdie
In 1989, following an address by Religion to students at London's Town Polytechnic (now Kingston University), spin he was asked about blue blood the gentry fatwacalling for the killing be paid Salman Rushdie, author of probity novel The Satanic Verses, Religion made a series of comments that appeared to show apprehension for the fatwa.
He alleged, "He (Rushdie) must be handle. The Qur'an makes it dim-witted – if someone defames nobility prophet, then he must die."[92] He released a statement blue blood the gentry following day denying that fiasco supported vigilantism and claiming desert he had merely recounted authority Islamic Sharia law punishment confirm blasphemy.
Subsequently, he commented groove a 1989 interview on Aussie television that Rushdie should cast doubt on killed and stated he would rather burn Rushdie instead achieve an effigy.[93] In a schedule in the FAQ section pattern one of his websites, Religion asserted that while he regretted the comments, he was jocular and that the show was improperly edited.[94]
In the years owing to these comments, he has regularly denied ever calling for rank death of Rushdie or germaneness the fatwa.[13][80] Appearing on BBC's Desert Island Discs[77] on 27 September 2020, Yusuf claimed sudden "sharp-toothed" journalists had framed diadem fatwa comment in a deceptive way.[95] In a 2007 kill to the editor of The Daily Telegraph, Rushdie complained past its best what he believed was Islam's attempts to "rewrite his past", and called his claims complete innocence "rubbish".[96]
On 12 August 2022, Salman Rushdie suffered a injure attack as he was bear in mind to give a public disquisition at the Chautauqua Institution invoice Chautauqua, New York, United States.[97] In response to the robbery, Yusuf tweeted, "Saddened and bedazzled to learn about the horrendous act on Salman Rushdie downhearted wish is for us blow your own horn to live in peace.
May well God grant him and all one else who has well-received from the manic pandemic care violence in this world, uncomplicated full recovery. Peace".[98]
Immediately following the September 11 attacks on the United States, recognized said:
I wish to communicate my heartfelt horror at class indiscriminate terrorist attacks committed blaspheme innocent people of the Affiliated States yesterday.
While it psychiatry still not clear who harass out the attack, it ought to be stated that no right-thinking follower of Islam could by any chance condone such an action. Rank Qur'an equates the murder locate one innocent person with nobility murder of the whole commentary humanity. We pray for distinction families of all those who lost their lives in that unthinkable act of violence owing to well as all those injured; I hope to reflect description feelings of all Muslims splendid people around the world whose sympathies go out to greatness victims of this sorrowful moment.[99][100]
He appeared on videotape on top-hole VH1 pre-show for the Oct 2001 Concert for New Royalty City, condemning the attacks courier singing his song "Peace Train" for the first time on the run public in more than 20 years, as an a cappella version.
He also donated boss portion of his box-set royalties to the fund for victims' families and the rest address orphans in underdeveloped countries.[101] Close to the same year, he consecrated time and effort in impinging the Forum Against Islamophobia brook Racism, an organisation that feigned towards battling misconceptions and book against others because of their religious beliefs or their genetic identity (or both), after various Muslims reported a backlash realize them due in part cause problems the grief caused by excellence events in the United States on 11 September.[67]
On 21 September 2004, Islam was soothe a United Airlines flight chomp through London to Washington, travelling come up to a meeting with American player Dolly Parton, who had verifiable "Peace Train" several years at one time and was planning to prolong another Cat Stevens song adorned an upcoming album.[79] While probity plane was in flight, consummate name was flagged as bring into being on the No Fly Joint.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers alerted the United States Transportation Security Administration, which misuse diverted his flight to Town, Maine, where he was late by officers from the Offshoot of Homeland Security.[102]
The following vacation, he was denied entry allow flown back to the Combined Kingdom.
A spokesman for Community Security claimed there were "concerns of ties he may own acquire to potential terrorist-related activities".[103] Say publicly Israeli government had deported Muhammadanism in 2000 over allegations give it some thought he provided funding to nobility Palestinian organisation Hamas,[104] but take steps denied doing so knowingly.[105] Islamism stated "I have never cannily supported or given money authorization Hamas".[106] "At the time Frantic was reported to have organize it, I didn't know specified a group existed.
Some get out give a political interpretation collide with charity. We were horrified go bad how people were suffering occupy the Holy Land."[105]
However, the Banded together States Department of Homeland Protection (DHS) added him to spruce "watch list"[31] which provoked come to an end international controversy and led grandeur British Foreign SecretaryJack Straw wring complain personally to the Combined States Secretary of StateColin General at the United Nations.[107] Physicist responded by stating that picture watchlist was under review, working account, "I think we have wander obligation to review these cannon-ball to see if we form right".[108]
Islam believed his inclusion pull a "watch list" may suppress simply been an error: a-one mistaken identification of him aim for a man with the much name, but different spelling.
Thoughts 1 October 2004 he desire the removal of his reputation, "I remain bewildered by position decision of the US government to refuse me entry hard by the United States".[109] According tinge his statement, the man bloat the list was named "Youssef Islam", indicating that Islam was not the suspected terrorism supporter.[25]Romanisation of Arabic names can intelligibly result in different spellings: leadership transliteration of Yusuf gives fashion to a dozen spellings.
Two years later, in December 2006, Islam was admitted without event into the United States provision several radio concert performances ray interviews to promote his fresh record.[110] He said of rectitude incident at the time, "No reason was ever given, on the contrary being asked to repeat honourableness spelling of my name arrival and again, made me ponder it was a fairly intelligible mistake of identity.
Rumours which circulated after made me assume otherwise."[111]
Islam wrote a song approach his 2004 exclusion from righteousness US, titled "Boots and Sand", recorded in 2008 and featuring Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton, meticulous Terry Sylvester.[112]
In October 2004, The Sun and The Full Times newspapers voiced their centre for Yusuf's exclusion from distinction United States and claimed ramble he had supported terrorism.
Unwind sued for libel and everyday an out-of-court financial settlement take from the newspapers, which both publicised apology statements saying that settle down had never supported terrorism near mentioning that he had lately been given a Man forfeit Peace award from the Earth Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates.
However, The Sunday Times administration editor Richard Caseby said saunter while there was an "agreed settlement", they "always denied liability" and "disagreed with Cat Stevens' lawyers interpretation", but took unembellished "pragmatic view" of the lawsuit.[113]
Yusuf responded that he was "delighted by the settlement [which] helps vindicate my character and fine name. ...
It seems to elect the easiest thing in birth world these days to set up scurrilous accusations against Muslims settle down, in my case, it candid impacts on my relief walk off with and damages my reputation significance an artist. The harm worn-out is often difficult to repair", and added that he conscious to donate the financial prize 1 given to him by description court to help orphans discovery the 2004 Indian Ocean tremble and tsunami.[113] He wrote accident the experience in a manufacture article titled "A Cat giving a Wild World".[114]
On 18 July 2008, Islam received substantial quiescent damages from the World Recreation News Network following their promulgation of a story which stated that the singer refused lowly speak to unveiled women.[115] Interpretation allegations first surfaced in goodness German newspaper BZ after Islam's trip to Berlin in Parade 2007 to collect the Reverberate music award for "life achievements as musician and ambassador among cultures".[116] Once again he was awarded damages after the Imitation Entertainment News Network allowed entail article to be published continue Contactmusic.com alleging that he would not speak to unveiled detachment with the exception of circlet wife.
His solicitor said "he was made out to weakness 'so sexist and bigoted guarantee he refused at an distinction ceremony to speak to if not even acknowledge any women who were not wearing a veil'".[115][117] The news agency apologised accept issued a statement saying think it over Islam has never had harebrained problem in working with troop and that he has conditions required a third party round the corner function as an intermediary available work.[116] The money from that lawsuit went to his Small Kindness Charity.[115]
On his website, recognized discussed the false allegation, apophthegm,
The accusation that I requirement not speak or interact shorten ladies who are not masked is an absurdity....
It's prerrogative that I have asked tidy up manager to respectfully request ramble lady presenters refrain from clasp me when giving awards rudimentary during public appearances, but defer has nothing to do and my feelings or respect cart them. Islam simply requires topmost to honour the dignity unknot ladies or young girls who are not closely related take a look at me, and avoid physical nookie, however innocent it may be.
...My four daughters entitle follow the basic wearing provision clothes which modestly cover their God-given beauty. They're extremely victoriously educated; they do not salvage their faces and interact extremely well with friends and society.[118]
Islam gradually resumed his musical occupation in the 1990s.
These basic recordings did not include numerous musical instruments other than hitting, and they featured lyrics panic about Islamic themes, some in vocal word or hamd form. Good taste invested in building his evidence recording studio,[where?] which he called Mountain of Light Studios scam the late 1990s, and loosen up was featured as a caller singer on "God Is justness Light", a song on be over album of nasheeds by decency group Raihan.
In addition, explicit invited and collaborated with mother Muslim singers, including Canadian manager Dawud Wharnsby.
After Islam's neighbour Irfan Ljubijankić, the Foreign Path of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was killed by a Serbian rise rapidly attack, Islam appeared at well-ordered 1997 benefit concert in Bosnia and recorded a benefit release named after a song graphical by Ljubijankić, I Have Thumb Cannons That Roar.[119]
Realising there were few educational resources designed done teach children about the Islamic religion, Islam wrote and find a children's album, A Shambles for Allah, in 2000[120] accost the assistance of South Individual singer-songwriter Zain Bhikha.
The give a ring song was one Islam locked away written years before to bring about his first child to both the religion and the Semite alphabet. He also established rule own record label, "Jamal Records", and Mountain of Light Works, and he donates a share of his projects' proceeds dare his Small Kindness charity, whose name is taken from distinction Qur'an.[121]
On the occasion of magnanimity 2000 re-release of his Guy Stevens albums, at the prompting of his label rep Sujata, Islam agreed to interviews decree the media to tell wreath story and reconnect with emperor fans.[122] Islam explained that sharp-tasting had stopped performing in Plainly due to his misunderstanding oppress the Islamic faith.
"This outgoing of music in Islam enquiry not as cut-and-dried as Uncontrollable was led to believe ... Irrational relied on heresy, that was perhaps my mistake."[120] He besides participated in the first movie on his life for copperplate two-part VH1 Behind the Music.[123]
Islam has reflected that his arbitration to leave the Western pop-music business was perhaps too express with too little communication suggest his fans.
For most insecurity was a surprise, and much his long-time guitarist Alun Davies said in later interviews desert he had not believed deviate his friend would actually comprise through with it after enthrone many forays into other religions throughout their relationship.[48] Islam man has said the "cut" amidst his former life and coronet life as a Muslim muscle have been too quick, most recent too severe, and that complicate people might have been convalesce informed about Islam, and problem an opportunity to better fathom it, and himself, if pacify had simply removed those really that were considered harām, notes his performances, allowing him pause express himself musically and nourish listeners through his music deprived of violating any religious constraints.[124]
In 2003, after repeated encouragement from in prison the Muslim world,[125] Islam flawlessly again recorded "Peace Train" in line for a compilation CD, which as well included performances by David Pioneer and Paul McCartney.
He finalize "Wild World" in Nelson Mandela's 46664 concert with his before collaborator, Peter Gabriel, the prime time he had publicly unreduced in English in 25 age.
In December 2004, he spreadsheet Ronan Keating released a unusual version of "Father and Son": the song entered the charts at number two, behind Stripe Aid 20's "Do They Stockpile It's Christmas?" They also make for a acquire a video of the in bad condition walking between photographs of fathers and sons, while singing illustriousness song.
The proceeds of "Father and Son" were donated follow the Band Aid charity. Keating's former group, Boyzone, had ingenious hit with the song pure decade earlier. As he challenging been persuaded before, Islam discretional to the song, because prestige proceeds were marked for permissiveness.
On 21 April 2005, Islam gave a short smooth talk before a scheduled musical execution in Abu Dhabi, United Arabian Emirates, on the anniversary pick up the check the prophet Muhammad's birthday.
Noteworthy said:
There is a big deal of ignorance in position world about Islam today, lecture we hope to communicate indulge the help of something advanced refined than lectures and association. Our recordings are particularly nice to the young, having moved songs as well as Qur'an verses with pleasing sound effects ...[126]
Islam observed that there are cack-handed real guidelines about instruments ride no references about the dole out of music in the Qur'an, and that Muslim travellers chief brought the guitar to Muhammadan Spain.
He noted that Muhammad was fond of celebrations, by reason of in the case of birth birth of a child, get into a traveller arriving after pure long journey. Thus, Islam complete that healthy entertainment was admissible within limitations, and that pacify now felt that it was no sin to perform fit the guitar. Music, he at present felt, is uplifting to goodness soul; something sorely needed discharge troubled times.[127] At that dive, he was joined by indefinite young male singers who croon backing vocals and played uncluttered drum, with Islam as leading man or lady singer and guitarist.
They unalloyed two songs, both half call Arabic and half in English; "Tala'a Al-Badru Alayna", an long-lived song in Arabic which Muhammadanism recorded with a folk increase to it, and another melody line, "The Wind East and West", which was newly written overstep Islam and featured a well-defined R&B sound.
With this about, Islam began slowly to dispose instruments into both older theme from his Cat Stevens generation (some with slight lyrical changes) and new songs, both those known to the Muslim communities around the world and whatsoever that have the same Fairy tale flair from before with out focus on new topics abide another generation of listeners.[124]
In adroit 2005 press release, he explained his revived recording career:
After I embraced Islam, many fill told me to carry bin composing and recording, but as a consequence the time I was irresolute, for fear that it firmness be for the wrong premises.
I felt unsure what rendering right course of action was. I guess it is unique now, after all these lifetime, that I've come to completely understand and appreciate what each has been asking of persuade. It's as if I've earnings full circle; however, I accept gathered a lot of discernment on the subject in representation meantime.[125]
"In Islam there is inconsequential in reference to called the principle of regular good.
What that means psychotherapy that whenever one is confronted by something that is shriek mentioned in the scriptures, skin texture must observe what benefit break down can bring. Does it benefit the common good, does resign protect the spirit, and does it serve God? If nobility scholars see that it esteem something positive, they may well enough approve of what I'm doing."
—Yusuf Islam[128]
In early 2005, Mohammedanism released a new song, gentle "Indian Ocean", about the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and wave disaster.
The song featured Amerindian composer/producer A. R. Rahman, a-ha keyboard player Magne Furuholmen roost Travis drummer Neil Primrose. Take of the single went walkout help orphans in Banda Aceh, one of the areas blow out of the water affected by the tsunami, indemnity Islam's Small Kindness charity. Swot first, the single was insecure only through several online congregation stores but later featured cyst the compilation album Cat Stevens: Gold.
"I had to finish off my faith and look tail my family, and I difficult to make priorities. But nowadays I've done it all forward there's a little space matter me to fill in righteousness universe of music again."[129]
On 28 May 2005, Islam delivered unadulterated keynote speech and performed uncertain the Adopt-A-Minefield Gala in Düsseldorf.
The Adopt-A-Minefield charity, under nobleness patronage of Paul McCartney, shop internationally to raise awareness point of view funds to clear landmines professor rehabilitate landmine survivors. Islam guileful as part of an free committee which also included Martyr Martin, Richard Branson, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Klaus Voormann, Christopher Lee predominant others.[130]
In mid-2005, Islam played bass for the Dolly Parton jotter Those Were the Days haul up her version of his "Where Do the Children Play?" (Parton had also covered "Peace Train" a few years earlier.)
Islam has credited his then 21-year-old son Muhammad Islam, also excellent musician and artist, for top return to secular music, in the way that the son brought a bass back into the house, which Islam began playing.[13] Muhammad's buffed name is Yoriyos[16] and consummate debut album was released bring February 2007.[131][132] Yoriyos created interpretation art on Islam's album An Other Cup, something that Hombre Stevens did for his overall albums in the 1970s.
In May 2006, in anticipation countless his forthcoming new pop textbook, the BBC1 programme Imagine in a minute a 49-minute documentary with Alan Yentob called Yusuf: The Head formerly Known as Cat Stevens. This documentary film features thin audio and video clips outsider the late 1960s and Seventies, as well as an accomplish interview with Islam, his monk David Gordon, several record bosses, Bob Geldof, Dolly Parton, explode others outlining his career introduction Cat Stevens, his conversion extract emergence as Yusuf Islam, folk tale his return to music wealthy 2006.
There are clips company him singing in the factory when he was recording An Other Cup as well because a few 2006 excerpts short vacation him on guitar singing splendid few verses of Cat Psychophysicist songs including "The Wind" captain "On the Road to Manna from heaven Out".[79]
In December 2006, Islam was one of the artists who performed at the Nobel Hush Prize Concert in Oslo, Noreg, in honour of the premium winners, Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank.
He performed the songs "Midday (Avoid City After Dark)", "Peace Train", and "Heaven/Where Speculate Love Goes". He also gave a concert in New Royalty City that month as neat Jazz at Lincoln Center period, recorded and broadcast by KCRW-FM radio, along with an discussion by Nic Harcourt. Accompanying him, as in the Cat Psychophysicist days, was Alun Davies, snatch guitar and vocals.
In March 2006, Islam complete recording his first all-new jut album since 1978.[133] The sticker album, An Other Cup, was unattached internationally in November 2006 market leader his own label, Ya Papers (distributed by Polydor Records inspect the UK, and internationally emergency Atlantic Records)—the 40th anniversary exert a pull on his first album, Matthew ray Son.
An accompanying single, named "Heaven/Where True Love Goes", was also released. The album was produced with Rick Nowels, who has worked with Dido tolerate Rod Stewart. The performer research paper noted as "Yusuf", with clever cover label identifying him slightly "the artist formerly known orang-utan Cat Stevens".
The art dilution the album is credited pass on to Yoriyos. Islam wrote all drawing the songs except "Don't Shooting lodge Me Be Misunderstood",[134] and true it in the United States and the United Kingdom.[133]
Islam nimbly promoted this album, appearing swearing radio, television and in film interviews.
In November 2006, recognized told the BBC, "It's badly behaved, so it's going to development like that of course ... That is the real thing ... Just as my son brought the bass back into the house, order around know, that was the spinning point. It opened a cascade of, of new ideas extort music which I think a-one lot of people would go for with."[135] Originally, he began on every side return only to his cure guitar as he had plenty the past, but his rarity encouraged him to "experiment", which resulted in the purchase succeed a Stevie Ray VaughanFender Stratocaster[136] in 2007.
Also in Nov 2006, Billboard magazine was fanciful as to why the grandmaster is credited as just coronet first name, "Yusuf" rather go one better than "Yusuf Islam".[129] His response was "Because 'Islam' doesn't have colloquium be sloganised. The second nickname is like the official phrase, but you call a keep count of by their first name.
It's more intimate, and to radical that's the message of that record." As for why say publicly album sleeve says "the creator formerly known as Cat Stevens", he responded, "That's the motto with which most people intrude on familiar; for recognition purposes I'm not averse to that. Receive a lot of people, proffer reminds them of something they want to hold on conformity.
That name is part farm animals my history and a group of the things I dreamt about as Cat Stevens own come true as Yusuf Islam."[129]
Islam was asked by the Land periodicalDas Magazin why the headline of the album was An Other Cup, rather than "Another Cup". The answer was delay his breakthrough album, Tea promotion the Tillerman in 1970, was decorated with Islam's painting honor a peasant sitting down add up a cup of steaming utilize on the land.
Smokey robinson wife frances glandney biographyHe commented that the mirror image worlds "then, and now, recognize the value of very different". His new baby book shows a steaming cup unaccompanied on this cover. His clear was that this was in actuality an other cup; something different; a bridge between the Eastbound and West, which he explained was his own perceived lines. He added that, through him, "Westerners might get a looking of the East, and Easterners, some understanding of the Westerly.
The cup, too, is important; it's a meeting place, top-notch thing meant to be shared."[128]
On CBS Sunday Morning in Dec 2006, he said, "You hear, the cup is there accept be filled ... with whatever restore confidence want to fill it farm. For those people looking footing Cat Stevens, they'll probably happen him in this record.
Assuming you want to find [Yusuf] Islam, go a bit lower down, you'll find him."[13] He has since described the album by reason of being "over-produced" and refers consent An Other Cup as heart a necessary hurdle he abstruse to overcome before he could release his new album, Roadsinger.[citation needed]
In April 2007, BBC1 announce a concert given at influence Porchester Hall by Islam translation part of BBC Sessions, culminate first live performance in Author in 28 years (the erstwhile one being the UNICEF "Year of the Child" concert acquire 1979).
He played several latest songs along with some offer ones like "Father and Son", "The Wind", "Where Do rendering Children Play?", "Don't Be Shy", "Wild World", and "Peace Train".[137]
In July 2007, he performed give in a concert in Bochum, Deutschland, in benefit of Archbishop Desmond Tutu's Peace Centre in Southbound Africa and the Milagro Leg of Deborah and Carlos Santana.
The audience included Nobel Laureates Mikhail Gorbachev, Desmond Tutu take up other prominent global figures. No problem later appeared as the last act in the German bouncy of Live Earth in City performing some classic Cat Psychophysicist songs and more recent compositions reflecting his concern for calmness and child welfare.
His dilemma included Stevie Wonder's "Saturn", "Peace Train", "Where Do the Family unit Play?", "Ruins", and "Wild World". He performed at the Peace of mind One Day concert at rectitude Royal Albert Hall on 21 September 2007.[138] In 2008 Muslimism contributed the song "Edge chief Existence" to the charity stamp album Songs for Survival, in dialectics of the indigenous rights administration Survival International.
In January 2009, Yusuf released a single sheep aid of children in Gaza, a rendition of the Martyr Harrison song "The Day glory World Gets Round", along market the German bassist Klaus Voormann, who had formerly collaborated become apparent to The Beatles.
To promote interpretation new single, Voormann redesigned monarch famous Beatles Revolveralbum cover, grip a picture of a rural Cat Stevens along with child and Harrison.[139] Proceeds from class single were donated to charities and organisations including UNESCO, UNRWA, and the nonprofit group Separate the Children, with the wealth earmarked for Gaza children.[140] Country ConsulDavid Saranga criticised Yusuf plan not dedicating the song warn about all of the children who are victims of the fray, including Israeli children.[141]
On 5 Hawthorn 2009, Yusuf released Roadsinger, unblended new pop album recorded trim 2008.
The lead track, "Thinking 'Bout You", received its introduction radio play on a BBC programme on 23 March 2009.[142] Unlike An Other Cup, forbidden promoted the new album enrol appearances on American television in that well as in the UK. He appeared on The Chris Isaak Hour on the A&E network in April 2009, performance live versions of his newfound songs, "World O'Darkness", "Boots captain Sand", and "Roadsinger".
On 13 May he appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in Los Angeles, and escaped 14 May, on The Sauce Report in New York Bit, performing the title song pass up the Roadsinger album. On 15 May, he appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, the theater "Boots and Sand" and "Father and Son".
On 24 Might he appeared on the BBC's The Andrew Marr Show, disc he was interviewed and conclude the title track of Roadsinger. On 15 August, he was one of many guests put off Fairport Convention's annual Fairport's Cropredy Convention where he performed quint songs accompanied by Alun Davies, with Fairport Convention as top backing band.[citation needed]
A world twine was announced on his spider's web site to promote the in mint condition album.
He was scheduled breathe new life into perform at an invitation-only chorus at New York City's Highline Ballroom on 3 May 2009[143] and to go on squeeze Los Angeles, Chicago and Toronto, as well as some to-be-announced European venues.[16] However, the Original York appearance was postponed theory test to issues regarding his pointless visa.
He appeared in Possibly will 2009 at Island Records' Fiftieth Anniversary concert in London.[16] Double up November and December 2009, Yusuf undertook his "Guess I'll View My Time Tour" which besides showcased his musical play Moonshadow. The tour took him suggest Dublin, where he had simple mixed reception; subsequently he was well received in Birmingham gift Liverpool, culminating in an enthusiastic performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
In June 2010 he toured Australia liberation the first time in 36 years,[144] and New Zealand put the first time ever.[145]
On 30 October 2010, Yusuf appeared disapproval Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert's spoof Rally to Restore Saneness and/or Fear in Washington, DC, singing alongside Ozzy Osbourne.
Yusuf performed "Peace Train" and Ozzy performed "Crazy Train" at decency same time, followed by Glory O'Jays performance of "Love Train".[146]
On 2 March 2011, Yusuf loose his latest song, "My People", as a free download vacant through his official website, tempt well as numerous other online outlets.[147] Said to have antiquated recorded at a studio set within a hundred yards pay money for the site of the Songster Wall, the song is poetic by a series of accepted uprisings in the Arab faux, known as the Arab Spring.[148]
On 1 April 2011, he launched a new tour website (yusufinconcert.com) to commemorate his first Indweller tour in over 36 period scheduled from 7 May brave 2 June 2011.
The ten-date tour visited Germany, France, dignity Netherlands, Austria, Belgium and cities such as Stockholm, Hamburg, Oberhausen, Berlin, Munich, Rotterdam, Paris, Metropolis, Vienna