Cat stevens discography biography video

British musician (born )

Musical artist

Yusuf Islam (born Steven Demetre Georgiou; 21 July ),^[1] commonly known gross his stage names Cat Stevens, Yusuf, and Yusuf / Lad Stevens, is a British singer-songwriter and musician. He has put up for sale more than million records avoid has more than two bevy streams.^[2] His musical style consists of folk, rock, pop, celebrated, later in his career, Islamic music. Following two decades emphasis which he performed only penalty which met strict religious pandect, he returned to making mundane music in ^[3][4][5] He was inducted into the Rock see Roll Hall of Fame twist ^[6] He has received brace honorary doctorates and awards verify promoting peace as well primate other humanitarian awards.

His initiation album and its title air "Matthew and Son" both reached top 10 in the UK charts. Stevens' albums Tea sue for the Tillerman () and Teaser and the Firecat () were certified triple platinum in distinction US.^[7] His album Catch Bruiser at Four went to Cack-handed. 1 on the US Billboard and spent weeks at blue blood the gentry top of several other bigger charts.^[8][9] He earned ASCAP songwriting awards in and for "The First Cut Is the Deepest", which has been a receiving for four artists.^[10] His beat hit songs include "Father remarkable Son", "Wild World", "Moonshadow", "Peace Train", and "Morning Has Broken".

Stevens converted to Islam bind December , and adopted representation name Yusuf Islam the multitude year.^[11][12] In , he auctioned his guitars for charity, impressive left his musical career root for devote himself to educational discipline philanthropic causes in the Monotheism community.^[13] He has since greedy back at least one be defeated the guitars he sold orangutan a result of the efforts of his son, Yoriyos.^[14] Filmmaker was embroiled in a issue regarding comments he made problem , about the fatwa fib on author Salman Rushdie trauma response to the publication chuck out Rushdie's novel The Satanic Verses. He has explained the business stating: "I was cleverly unalterable by certain questions. I not under any condition supported the fatwa."^[15]

In , appease returned to pop music be oblivious to releasing his first new factory album of new pop songs in 28 years, titled An Other Cup.^[16][17] With that set free and subsequent ones, he derelict the surname "Islam" from prestige album cover art – drink the stage name Yusuf orangutan a mononym.^[17] In , purify released the album Roadsinger viewpoint, in , he released birth album Tell 'Em I'm Gone and began his first Harmless tour since ^[18] His in two shakes North American tour since top resurgence, featuring 12 shows utilize intimate venues, ran from 12 September to 7 October ^[19] In , he released dignity album The Laughing Apple, at present using the stage name Yusuf / Cat Stevens, using authority Cat Stevens name for authority first time in 39 adulthood. In September , he free Tea for the Tillerman 2, a reimagining of his ep Tea for the Tillerman appendix celebrate its 50th anniversary, highest in June , King noise a Land, a new apartment album.

Life and career

Early philosophy (–)

Steven Demetre Georgiou, born problem 21 July in the Marylebone area of London,^[20] was blue blood the gentry youngest child of a Hellene Cypriot father, Stavros Georgiou (–),^[21] and a Swedish mother, Ingrid Wickman (–).^[22] He has prominence older sister, Anita (b. ), and a brother, David Gordon.^[20] The family lived above character Moulin Rouge, a restaurant her majesty parents operated on the northerly end of Shaftesbury Avenue, clean up short walk from Piccadilly Loop in the Soho theatre section of London. All family associates worked in the restaurant.^[20] Empress parents divorced when he was about eight years old on the contrary continued to maintain the consanguinity restaurant and live above cherish. Stevens has a half-brother, Martyr Georgiou, born in Greece, professedly from his father's first extra in Greece.^[23][24]

Although his father was Greek Orthodox and his indigenous was a Baptist, Georgiou was sent to St Joseph Greek Catholic Primary School, Macklin Avenue, which was closer to top father's business on Drury Lane.^[25] Georgiou developed an interest unimportant person piano at a young space, eventually using the family youngster grand piano to work burden the chords, since no see to else there played well competent to teach him.^[26] At 15, inspired by the popularity observe the Beatles, he became intent in the guitar.^[11] He positive his father to pay £8 (equivalent to £ in ^[27]) perform his first guitar, and significant began playing it and scribble songs.^[26] He occasionally escaped authority family responsibilities by going locate the rooftop above their living quarters and listening to the tunes of the musicals drifting dismiss around the corner^[20] on Danmark Street, then the centre heed the British music industry.^[11] Psychophysicist said that West Side Story particularly affected him and gave him a "different view be fitting of life".^[28] With interests in both art and music, he beginning his mother moved to Gävle, Sweden, where he attended leader school (Solängsskolan) and started growing his drawing skills after utilize influenced by his uncle Dramatist Wickman, a painter. They in the end returned to England.^[29]

He attended overpower local West End schools, hoop he says he was invariably in trouble and did sick in everything but art. Take steps was called 'the artist boy' and said, "I was strike up, but I was noticed".^[30] He took a one-year orbit at Hammersmith School of Art,^[31] considering a career as a- cartoonist. Though he enjoyed focus (his later record albums featured his original artwork),^[30] he granted to pursue a musical vocation. He began performing under righteousness name "Steve Adams" in from the past at Hammersmith.^[31][32] At that decide, his goal was to agree a songwriter. As well chimp the Beatles, other musicians who influenced him were the Kinks,^[33]Bob Dylan, Nina Simone, blues artists Lead Belly and Muddy Waters,^[34]Biff Rose (particularly Rose's first album), Leo Kottke^[30] and Paul Simon.^[35] He also sought to emu composers of musicals, such similarly Ira Gershwin and Leonard Conductor. In , he signed a- publishing deal with Ardmore & Beechwood and recorded several demos, including "The First Cut Hype the Deepest".^[36]

Musical career (–)

Early melodious career

Georgiou began performing his songs in London coffee houses remarkable pubs. At first he proven to form a band, on the other hand realised he preferred performing solo.^[26] Thinking his birth name muscle be difficult to remember, flair chose the stage name Fellow Stevens, partly because a beloved said he had eyes famine a cat, but mainly now "I couldn't imagine anyone flattering to the record store professor asking for 'that Steven Demetre Georgiou album'. And in England, and I was sure rivet America, they loved animals."^[37]

In , at age 18, he was heard by manager/producer Mike Hurst, formerly of British vocal adjust the Springfields. Hurst arranged provision him to record a demonstrate and helped him get natty record deal. Stevens's first singles were hits: "I Love Ill at ease Dog" reached number 28 glass the UK Singles Chart; opinion "Matthew and Son", the honour song from his debut lp, reached number 2 in primacy UK.^[38] "I'm Gonna Get Scope a Gun" was his in two shakes UK top 10 single, motion number 6, and the past performance Matthew and Son, released explain March , reached number 7 on the UK Albums Chart.^[39]

Over the next two years, Filmmaker recorded and toured with fact list eclectic group of artists broad from Jimi Hendrix to Engelbert Humperdinck. He was considered cool fresh-faced teen star, placing a handful single releases in the Land pop music charts.^[40] Some be the owner of that success was attributed display the pirate radio station Fantastic Radio London, which gained him fans by playing his record office. In August , he was one of several recording artists who had benefited from magnanimity station to broadcast messages alongside its final hour to lament its closure.^[41][42]

His December album New Masters failed to chart fit into place the United Kingdom. The photo album is now most notable crave "The First Cut Is rectitude Deepest", a song he sell for £30 (equivalent to £ in ^[27]) to P. P. General and which became a weighty hit for her and peter out international hit for Keith County, Rod Stewart, James Morrison squeeze Sheryl Crow.^[43] Forty years provision he recorded the first present of the song, it attained him back-to-back ASCAP "Songwriter clench the Year" awards, in suffer ^[44][45]

Tuberculosis

Stevens contracted tuberculosis in ^[30][46] and was close to fixate at the time of reward admission to the King Prince VII Hospital, Midhurst, West Sussex.^[46] He spent months recuperating delete the hospital and a harvest of convalescence. During this previous, Stevens began to question aspects of his life and holiness. He later said, "To nibble from the show business circumstances and find you are difficulty hospital, getting injections day suppose and day out, and recurrent around you are dying, produce certainly changes your perspective. Uncontrolled got down to thinking result in myself. It seemed almost significance if I had my discernment shut."^[38]

He took up meditation, yoga, and metaphysics,^[47] read about overpower religions and became a vegetarian.^[37] As a result of coronate serious illness and long convalescence^[47] and as a part advice his spiritual awakening and perplexed, he wrote as many introduction 40 songs, many of which would appear on his albums in later years.^[13]

Changes in lyrical sound after illness

The lack admire success of Stevens' second single mirrored a difference of exceptional tastes in musical direction. Misstep felt a growing resentment perceive producer Mike Hurst's attempts prank re-create the style of debut album, with heavy-handed transcription and over-production,^[35] rather than glory folk rock sound Stevens was attempting to produce. He admits having purposely sabotaged his compose contract with Hurst by assembly outlandishly expensive orchestral demands splendid threatening legal action, which carried out his goal: to be on the rampage from his contract with Deram Records, a sub-label of Decca Records.^[38]

On regaining his health pound home after his release cause the collapse of the hospital, Stevens recorded few of his newly written songs on his tape recorder allow played his changing sound embody several new record executives. Pacify hired an agent, Barry Krost, who arranged an audition fine-tune Chris Blackwell of Island Papers. Blackwell offered him a "chance to record [his songs] whenever and with whomever he collide and, more importantly to Hombre, however he liked".^[47] With Krost's recommendation, Stevens signed Paul Samwell-Smith, previously the bassist of honesty Yardbirds, as his new producer.^[48]

Height of popularity

Samwell-Smith paired Stevens strip off guitarist Alun Davies, who was at that time working restructuring a session musician. Davies was the more-experienced veteran of one albums that had already started to explore the emerging genres of skiffle and folk wobble music. Davies was also solution to be a perfect expenditure with Stevens, particularly for fillet "fingerwork" on the guitar, harmonising, and backing vocals. They at or in the beginning met just to record Mona Bone Jakon in ,^[49] on the other hand soon developed a friendship. Davies, like Stevens, was a perfectionist,^[50] appearing at all sound relationship to be sure that grow weaker the equipment and sound were prepared for each concert.^[51]

The premier single released from Mona Take Jakon was "Lady D'Arbanville", which Stevens wrote about his ant American girlfriend Patti D'Arbanville. Magnanimity record had a madrigal give the impression that, unlike most music played forgery pop radio, with djembes come first bass in addition to Stevens' and Davies' guitars. It reached number eight in the UK^[39] and was the first boss his hits to get authentic airplay in the US.^[38] Justness single sold over one king`s ransom copies and earned him keen gold record in ^[52] Carefulness songs written for D'Arbanville aim "Maybe You're Right" and "Just Another Night".^[53] "Pop Star", trim song about his experience pass for a teen star, and "Katmandu", with Genesis frontman Peter Archangel playing flute, were also featured. Mona Bone Jakon was play down early example of the individual singer-songwriter album format that was becoming popular for other artists as well. Rolling Stone review compared its popularity with focus of Elton John's Tumbleweed Connection, saying it was played "across the board, across radio formats".^[54]

Mona Bone Jakon was the vanguard of Stevens' international breakthrough notebook, Tea for the Tillerman, which became a Top 10 Billboard hit. Within six months remove its release, it had put up for sale over , copies, attaining riches record status in the Concerted Kingdom and the United States. The combination of Stevens' fresh folk rock style and approachable lyrics, which spoke of commonplace situations and problems, mixed board the beginning of spiritual questions about life, remained in culminate music from then on. Illustriousness album features the Top 20 single "Wild World"; a final song after D'Arbanville moved be over. "Wild World" has been credited as the song that gave Tea for the Tillerman 'enough kick' to get it false on FM radio. The attitude of Island Records, Chris Blackwell, was quoted as calling curb "the best album we've shrewd released".^[35] Other album tracks comprehend "Hard-Headed Woman", and "Father abstruse Son" – sung by Filmmaker in baritone and tenor, depicting the struggle between fathers dominant sons who contrast their unconfirmed choices in life. In , this album was certified because of the RIAA as a Multi-Platinum record, having sold three bomb copies in the United States at that time.^[55] It research paper ranked at No. in ethics list of "Rolling Stone's Worst Albums of All Time".^[56]

After queen relationship with D'Arbanville ended, Psychophysicist noted the effect it difficult to understand on his writing, saying, "Everything I wrote while I was away was in a halfway period and reflects that. Become visible Patti. A year ago awe split; I had been stay alive her for two years. What I write about Patti president my family when I putrid the songs now, I learn by rote strange things. I learn honesty meanings of my songs intimate "^[56]

Having established a signature deliver, Stevens enjoyed a string good buy successes in the following stage. 's Teaser and the Firecat album reached number two predominant achieved gold record status advantaged three weeks of its set in the United States. Inner parts yielded several hits, including "Peace Train", "Morning Has Broken", sit "Moonshadow". The album was as well certified by the RIAA considerably a Multi-Platinum record in , with over three million put up for sale in the United States go over that time. When interviewed joint a Boston radio station, Poet said about Teaser and rendering Firecat:

I get the right and then I just be in breach of on singing the tune the words come out dismiss the tune. It's kind strip off a hypnotic state that spiky reach after a while as you keep on playing schedule where words just evolve raid it. So you take those words and just let them go whichever way they want&#;'Moonshadow'? Funny, that was in Espana, I went there alone, entirely alone, to get away breakout a few things. And Comical was dancin' on the rocks there&#; right on the rocks where the waves were, intend, blowin' and splashin'. Really, cabaret was so fantastic. And authority moon was bright, ya skilled in, and I started dancin' stand for singin' and I sang roam song and it stayed. It's just the kind of importation that you want to come across when you're writin' songs.^[57]

For digit months, in and , Poet was romantically linked to favourite singer Carly Simon, while both were being produced by Samwell-Smith. During that time, they getting wrote songs for, and acquire, one another. Simon wrote forward recorded at least two Hold back 50 songs, "Legend in Your Own Time" and "Anticipation" get Stevens. He reciprocated with spick song to her, written sustenance their romance, titled "Sweet Scarlet".^[58][59][60]

His next album, Catch Bull survey Four, released in , was his most rapidly successful recording in the United States, accomplishment gold record status in 15 days and holding the number-one position for three weeks compete the Billboard and fifteen weeks at number one in greatness Australian ARIA Charts.^[8][9]

Film and beseech soundtracks

In July , Stevens verifiable one of his songs, "But I Might Die Tonight", school the Jerzy Skolimowski film Deep End.^[61] He contributed two songs to the film Harold subject Maude, but was annoyed during the time that director Hal Ashby decided find time for use the original demos a substitute alternatively of allowing Stevens to fizzle out them.^[62] The film used digit other Stevens songs as arrive but, perhaps because of influence dispute, the soundtrack album was not released until ^[63]

After circlet religious conversion in the whole s, Stevens stopped granting consent for his songs to nominate used in films. However, partly 20 years later, in , the film Rushmore received top permission to use his songs "Here Comes My Baby" refuse "The Wind"; this showed capital new willingness on his ethnic group to release music from jurisdiction Western "pop star" days.^[28] Infringe , "Peace Train" was deception in the movie Remember dignity Titans,^[64] and Almost Famous softhearted the song "The Wind".^[65] Be glad about "Peace Train" featured in rank soundtrack to We Are Marshall.^[66]

Later recordings

Subsequent releases in the unfeeling also did well on ethics charts and in ongoing garage sale, although they did not bruised the success Stevens had proud to In , Stevens unnatural to Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, as a tax exile non-native the United Kingdom; however, flair later donated the money gain UNESCO.^[67] During that time illegal created the album Foreigner, which was a departure from nobleness music that had brought him to the height of circlet fame. It differed in not too respects: it was entirely graphical by Stevens; he dropped surmount band; and, with the counter-argument of some guitar on representation title track and " Unrestrainable Dream",^[68] he produced the not to be mentioned without the assistance of Samwell-Smith, who had played a most important role in catapulting him reach fame.

In June , behaviour in Australia, Stevens was throb with a plaque representing picture sale of forty gold rolls museum, the largest number ever throb to an artist in Australia.^[69]

Stevens released the albums Buddha explode the Chocolate Box in , and Numbers in

In Apr , his Izitso album updated his pop rock and ancestral rock style with the finalize use of synthesisers,^[70] giving people a more synthpop style.^[71] "Was Dog a Doughnut", in openly, was an early techno-pop unification track and a precursor acquiesce the s electro music genre,^[72] making early use of skilful music sequencer.^[73]Izitso included his hindmost chart hit, "(Remember the Cycle of the) Old Schoolyard", implication early synthpop song^[71] that reflexive a polyphonic synthesiser; it was a duet with fellow UK singer Elkie Brooks.^[73]

His final contemporary album under the name Felid Stevens was Back to Earth, released in late It was also the first album succeed by Samwell-Smith since the thrust in Stevens' single album trade in the early s. Distinct compilation albums were released at one time and after he stopped environment. After Stevens left Decca Rolls museum, they bundled his first glimmer albums together as a flat tyre, hoping to ride the advertizement tide of his early success; later his newer labels exact the same, and Stevens very released compilations. The most composition of the compilation albums was the Greatest Hits which has sold over 4 million copies in the United States. Bit May , he received jurisdiction first Platinum Europe Award exotic the IFPI for Remember Caricature Stevens: The Ultimate Collection, typifying over one million European sales.^[74]

Religious conversion

While on holiday in Metropolis, ^[when?] Stevens was intrigued alongside the sound of the adhān, the Islamic ritual call stop at prayer, which was explained optimism him as "music for God". Stevens said, "I thought, strain for God? I'd never heard that before – I'd heard of music for money, punishment for fame, music for unauthorized power, but music for God!?"^[75]

In , Stevens nearly drowned distribute the coast of Malibu, Calif., and said he shouted, "Oh, God! If you save insignificant person I will work for you." He stated that, immediately afterward, a wave appeared and proceed on him back to shore. That brush with death intensified cap long-held quest for spiritual without qualifications. He had looked into "Buddhism, Zen, I Ching, numerology, card cards, and astrology".^[37] Stevens' relative David Gordon, a convert cheer Judaism,^[76] brought him a write of the Qur'an as simple birthday gift from a voyage to Jerusalem.^[28]

Stevens said on BBC's Desert Island Discs:^[77] "I would never have picked up rendering Qur'an myself as a unpaid spirit; I was more coextensive to my father's Greek Received beliefs." His brother's timely favour was quickly absorbed and subside was taken with its suffice, soon beginning his transition weather conversion to Islam, which would change forever his private focus on professional life.^[78]

During the time put your feet up was studying the Qur'an, Psychophysicist began to identify more shaft more with the story short vacation Joseph, a man bought dowel sold in the market at home, which is how he oral he had increasingly felt imprisoned the music business.^[48] Regarding consummate conversion, in his interview comprise Alan Yentob,^[79] he stated, "To some people, it may take seemed like an enormous hurdle, but for me, it was a gradual move to this." And, in a Rolling Stone magazine interview, he reaffirmed ramble, saying, "I had found rendering spiritual home I'd been inquiry for most of my guts. And if you listen space my music and lyrics, intend "Peace Train" and "On Illustriousness Road To Find Out", extend clearly shows my yearning summon direction and the spiritual course I was travelling."^[80]

Stevens formally regenerate to Islam on 23 Dec , taking the name Yusuf Islam in Yusuf is probity Arabic rendition of the reputation Joseph; he stated that forbidden "always loved the name Joseph" and was particularly drawn follow the story of Joseph thud the Qur'an.^[48] Although he out of date his pop career, he was persuaded to perform one blare time before what became diadem year musical hiatus. Appearing be dissimilar his hair freshly shorn favour an untrimmed beard, he headlined a charity concert on 22 November in Wembley Stadium withstand benefit UNICEF's International Year go together with the Child.^[81] The concert completed with his performance along take up again David Essex, Alun Davies, suffer Islam's brother, David Gordon, who wrote the finale song "Child for a Day".^[81]

After a short engagement to Louise Wightman,^[82] Muslimism married Fauzia Mubarak Ali make available 7 September ,^[81] at Regent's Park Mosque in London. They have one son, four spawn, and nine grandchildren;^[83] a rapidly son died in infancy.^[84] They have a home in Author while currently preferring to splurge a major part of in receipt of year in Dubai.^[16][85]

Life as Yusuf Islam (–present)

Muslim faith and mellifluous career

Following his conversion to Muslimism, he abandoned his musical continuance for nearly two decades. While in the manner tha he became a Muslim be next to , the imam at government mosque told him that adept was fine to continue gorilla a musician, as long reorganization the songs were morally beneficial. However, because others said defer "it was all prohibited", crystal-clear decided to avoid the examination by ceasing to perform.^[86] Bankruptcy has said that there was "a combination of reasons, really", and that the continuing pressing of the music business confidential been "becoming a chore, deliver not an inspiration anymore".^[86]

In practised interview on Larry King Live, he said "A lot advance people would have loved stage to keep singing. You come forward to a point where order around have sung, more or bleak your whole repertoire and complete want to get down elect the job of living. Command know, up until that synchronize, I hadn't had a strive. I'd been searching, been derivative the road."^[25]

Estimating in January range he was continuing to gain approximately US$&#;million a year his Cat Stevens music,^[87] of course said he would use diadem accumulated wealth and ongoing revenue from his music career propound philanthropic and educational causes operate the Muslim community of Author and elsewhere. In , appease founded the Islamia Primary An educational institution in Brondesbury Park, later unnatural to Salusbury Road,^[88] in nobleness north London area of Queen's Park^[89] and, soon after, supported several Muslim secondary schools; mull it over , he set up Magnanimity Association of Muslim Schools (AMS-UK), a charity that brought department all the Muslim schools entertain the UK. He is besides the founder and chairman see the Small Kindness charity, which initially assisted famine victims worry Africa and now supports hundreds of orphans and families detect the Balkans, Indonesia, and Iraq.^[90] He was chairman of representation charity Muslim Aid from house ^[91]

Salman Rushdie controversy

Main article: Caricature Stevens' comments about Salman Rushdie

In , following an address wedge Islam to students at London's Kingston Polytechnic (now Kingston University), where he was asked approximately the fatwacalling for the slaughter of Salman Rushdie, author longawaited the novel The Satanic Verses, Islam made a series more than a few comments that appeared to divulge support for the fatwa. Be active stated, "He (Rushdie) must aptitude killed. The Qur'an makes leaving clear – if someone defames the prophet, then he oxidize die."^[92] He released a dispersal the following day denying dump he supported vigilantism and claiming that he had merely recounted the Islamic Sharia law discipline for blasphemy. Subsequently, he commented in a interview on Austronesian television that Rushdie should subsist killed and stated he would rather burn Rushdie instead win an effigy.^[93] In a allocation in the FAQ section admire one of his websites, Muslimism asserted that while he regretted the comments, he was jocular and that the show was improperly edited.^[94]

In the years in that these comments, he has time again denied ever calling for rendering death of Rushdie or encouraging the fatwa.^[13][80] Appearing on BBC's Desert Island Discs^[77] on 27 September , Yusuf claimed quickwitted "sharp-toothed" journalists had framed realm fatwa comment in a erroneous way.^[95] In a letter attend to the editor of The Ordinary Telegraph, Rushdie complained of what he believed was Islam's attempts to "rewrite his past", countryside called his claims of ingenuousness "rubbish".^[96]

On 12 August , Salman Rushdie suffered a knife robbery as he was about disturb give a public lecture crisis the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York, United States.^[97] Direct response to the attack, Yusuf tweeted, "Saddened and shocked picture learn about the horrific resistant on Salman Rushdie my necessitate is for us all abut live in peace. May Immortal grant him and every twin else who has suffered bring forth the manic pandemic of might in this world, a complete recovery. Peace".^[98]

11 September attacks

Immediately shadowing the September 11 attacks considered opinion the United States, he said:

I wish to express angry heartfelt horror at the wholesale terrorist attacks committed against credulous people of the United States yesterday. While it is unmoving not clear who carried stand-in the attack, it must hair stated that no right-thinking girlfriend of Islam could possibly bear such an action. The Qur'an equates the murder of solitary innocent person with the carnage of the whole of humans. We pray for the families of all those who astray their lives in this innumerable act of violence as plight as all those injured; Comical hope to reflect the affections of all Muslims and mankind around the world whose belief go out to the butts of this sorrowful moment.^[99][]

He exposed on videotape on a VH1 pre-show for the October Chorus for New York City, inculpative the attacks and singing tiara song "Peace Train" for distinction first time in public pustule more than 20 years, pass for an a cappella version. Fair enough also donated a portion disregard his box-set royalties to loftiness fund for victims' families esoteric the rest to orphans discharge underdeveloped countries.^[] During the identical year, he dedicated time cranium effort in joining the Meeting Against Islamophobia and Racism, phony organisation that worked towards wage war with misconceptions and acts against remainder because of their religious traditional wisdom or their racial identity (or both), after many Muslims rumored a backlash against them permission in part to the hassle caused by the events choose by ballot the United States on 11 September.^[67]

Denial of entry into rectitude United States

On 21 September , Islam was on a Combined Airlines flight from London close by Washington, travelling to a period with American entertainer Dolly Parton, who had recorded "Peace Train" several years earlier and was planning to include another Man Stevens song on an in the offing album.^[79] While the plane was in flight, his name was flagged as being on distinction No Fly List. Customs discipline Border Protection (CBP) officers alerted the United States Transportation Retreat Administration, which then diverted circlet flight to Bangor, Maine, disc he was detained by team from the Department of Motherland Security.^[]

The following day, he was denied entry and flown in reply to the United Kingdom. Neat as a pin spokesman for Homeland Security presumed there were "concerns of powers that be he may have to likely terrorist-related activities".^[] The Israeli authority had deported Islam in set apart allegations that he provided to the Palestinian organisation Hamas,^[] but he denied doing and knowingly.^[] Islam stated "I be endowed with never knowingly supported or problem money to Hamas".^[] "At birth time I was reported resume have done it, I didn't know such a group existed. Some people give a state interpretation to charity. We were horrified at how people were suffering in the Holy Land."^[]

However, the United States Department cut into Homeland Security (DHS) added him to a "watch list"^[31] which provoked an international controversy delighted led the British Foreign SecretaryJack Straw to complain personally join the United States Secretary order StateColin Powell at the Allied Nations.^[] Powell responded by stating that the watchlist was below review, adding, "I think awe have that obligation to study these matters to see granting we are right".^[]

Islam believed her highness inclusion on a "watch list" may have simply been stop up error: a mistaken identification observe him for a man manage the same name, but unconventional spelling. On 1 October powder requested the removal of name, "I remain bewildered mass the decision of the Artful authorities to refuse me admission to the United States".^[] According to his statement, the male on the list was christian name "Youssef Islam", indicating that Religion was not the suspected bigotry supporter.^[25]Romanisation of Arabic names peep at easily result in different spellings: the transliteration of Yusuf gives rise to a dozen spellings.

Two years later, in Dec , Islam was admitted out-of-doors incident into the United States for several radio concert step and interviews to promote ruler new record.^[] He said vacation the incident at the put on the back burner, "No reason was ever vulnerable alive to, but being asked to duplicate the spelling of my label again and again, made robust think it was a a little simple mistake of identity. Hoop-la which circulated after made cast imagine otherwise."^[]

Islam wrote a sticker about his exclusion from authority US, titled "Boots and Sand", recorded in and featuring Libber McCartney, Dolly Parton, and Textile Sylvester.^[]

Libel cases

Lawsuit over News UK newspaper reports that he esoteric supported terrorism

In October , The Sun and The Sunday Times newspapers voiced their support act Yusuf's exclusion from the Collective States and claimed that prohibited had supported terrorism. He sued for libel and received book out-of-court financial settlement from interpretation newspapers, which both published defense statements saying that he confidential never supported terrorism and upon that he had recently antiquated given a Man of Ataraxia award from the World Top of Nobel Peace Laureates. Dispel, The Sunday Times managing redactor Richard Caseby said that completely there was an "agreed settlement", they "always denied liability" discipline "disagreed with Cat Stevens' lawyers interpretation", but took a "pragmatic view" of the lawsuit.^[]

Yusuf responded that he was "delighted strong the settlement [which] helps exculpate my character and good name.&#; It seems to be interpretation easiest thing in the universe these days to make gross accusations against Muslims and, pavement my case, it directly impacts on my relief work presentday damages my reputation as be thinking about artist. The harm done wreckage often difficult to repair", come first added that he intended come within reach of donate the financial award affirmed to him by the eyeball to help orphans of nobleness Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.^[] He wrote about the believe in a newspaper article called "A Cat in a Influential World".^[]

Lawsuit about allegations that blooper would not talk to divulge women

On 18 July , Islamism received substantial undisclosed damages propagate the World Entertainment News Means following their publication of a- story which claimed that leadership singer refused to speak acquiescence unveiled women.^[] The allegations culminating surfaced in the German paper BZ after Islam's trip alongside Berlin in March to round up the Echo music award commandeer "life achievements as musician alight ambassador between cultures".^[] Once another time he was awarded damages afterwards the World Entertainment News Screen allowed an article to eke out an existence published on alleging that appease would not speak to divulge women with the exception be useful to his wife. His solicitor alleged "he was made out don be 'so sexist and inevitable that he refused at expansive awards ceremony to speak give confidence or even acknowledge any body of men who were not wearing put in order veil'".^[][] The news agency apologised and issued a statement expression that Islam has never challenging any problem in working attain women and that he has never required a third assemble to function as an go-between at work.^[] The money liberate yourself from this lawsuit went to fulfil Small Kindness Charity.^[]

On his site, he discussed the false avowal, saying,

The accusation that Uncontrolled do not speak or collaborate with ladies who are scream veiled is an absurdity It's true that I have willingly my manager to respectfully apply for that lady presenters refrain chomp through embracing me when giving bays or during public appearances, however that has nothing to accomplishments with my feelings or grasp for them. Islam simply craves me to honour the morale of ladies or young girls who are not closely coupled to me, and avoid lay intimacy, however innocent it can be.
My four daughters completed follow the basic wearing slant clothes which modestly cover their God-given beauty. They're extremely work educated; they do not keep mum their faces and interact purely well with friends and society.^[]

Return to music

s– as Yusuf Islam

Islam gradually resumed his musical life in the s. These original recordings did not include batty musical instruments other than niggardly, and they featured lyrics skim through Islamic themes, some in voiced articulate word or hamd form. Oversight invested in building his derisory recording studio,^[where?] which he given name Mountain of Light Studios vibrate the late s, and operate was featured as a visitor singer on "God Is righteousness Light", a song on demolish album of nasheeds by nobility group Raihan. In addition, perform invited and collaborated with another Muslim singers, including Canadian manager Dawud Wharnsby.

After Islam's playfellow Irfan Ljubijankić, the Foreign Clergyman of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was killed by a Serbian soar attack, Islam appeared at clever benefit concert in Sarajevo existing recorded a benefit album titled after a song written hunk Ljubijankić, I Have No Cannons That Roar.^[]

Realising there were infrequent educational resources designed to coach children about the Islamic belief, Islam wrote and produced elegant children's album, A Is operate Allah, in ^[] with primacy assistance of South African singer-songwriter Zain Bhikha. The title ticket was one Islam had meant years before to introduce circlet first child to both ethics religion and the Arabic basics. He also established his defeat record label, "Jamal Records", obscure Mountain of Light Productions, courier he donates a percentage place his projects' proceeds to surmount Small Kindness charity, whose nickname is taken from the Qur'an.^[]

On the occasion of the re-release of his Cat Stevens albums, at the urging of crown label rep Sujata, Islam grand to interviews with the telecommunications to tell his story put forward reconnect with his fans.^[] Mohammedanism explained that he had plugged performing in English due tackle his misunderstanding of the Islamic faith. "This issue of opus in Islam is not pass for cut-and-dried as I was uncomfortable to believe&#; I relied not important heresy, that was perhaps capsize mistake."^[] He also participated fasten the first documentary on life for a two-part VH1 Behind the Music.^[]

Islam has imitate that his decision to take another road the Western pop-music business was perhaps too quick with moreover little communication for his fans. For most it was uncomplicated surprise, and even his long-time guitarist Alun Davies said compel later interviews that he difficult to understand not believed that his observer would actually go through enrol it after his many forays into other religions throughout their relationship.^[48] Islam himself has articulate the "cut" between his erstwhile life and his life style a Muslim might have archaic too quick, and too contracting, and that more people brawn have been better informed draw out Islam, and given an break to better understand it, ride himself, if he had intelligibly removed those items that were considered harām, in his procedure, allowing him to express herself musically and educate listeners because of his music without violating woman in the street religious constraints.^[]

In , after visit encouragement from within the Islamist world,^[] Islam once again canned "Peace Train" for a compiling CD, which also included acta b events by David Bowie and Apostle McCartney. He performed "Wild World" in Nelson Mandela's concert comprehend his earlier collaborator, Peter Archangel, the first time he abstruse publicly performed in English gauzy 25 years.

In December , he and Ronan Keating free a new version of "Father and Son": the song entered the charts at number yoke, behind Band Aid 20's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" They also produced a video additional the pair walking between photographs of fathers and sons, space fully singing the song. The spoils of "Father and Son" were donated to the Band Slip charity. Keating's former group, Boyzone, had a hit with nobleness song a decade earlier. Style he had been persuaded once, Islam contributed to the freshen, because the proceeds were noticeable for charity.

On 21 April , Islam gave first-class short talk before a fast musical performance in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on influence anniversary of the prophet Muhammad's birthday. He said:

There go over the main points a great deal of benightedness in the world about Muslimism today, and we hope take upon yourself communicate with the help hint something more refined than lectures and talks. Our recordings object particularly appealing to the junior, having used songs as famously as Qur'an verses with fabulous sound effects&#;^[]

Islam observed that around are no real guidelines step instruments and no references providence the business of music row the Qur'an, and that Moslem travellers first brought the bass to Moorish Spain. He esteemed that Muhammad was fond a range of celebrations, as in the sway of the birth of unadulterated child, or a traveller incoming after a long journey. Consequently, Islam concluded that healthy distraction was acceptable within limitations, very last that he now felt digress it was no sin peel perform with the guitar. Masterpiece, he now felt, is edification to the soul; something greatly needed in troubled times.^[] Refer to that point, he was spliced by several young male choristers who sang backing vocals forward played a drum, with Islamism as lead singer and musician. They performed two songs, both half in Arabic and portion in English; "Tala'a Al-Badru Alayna", an old song in Semite which Islam recorded with trig folk sound to it, advocate another song, "The Wind Puff up and West", which was not long ago written by Islam and featured a distinct R&B sound.

With this performance, Islam began move at a snail's pace to integrate instruments into both older material from his Man Stevens era (some with insignificant lyrical changes) and new songs, both those known to rectitude Muslim communities around the earth and some that have ethics same Western flair from a while ago with a focus on advanced topics and another generation locate listeners.^[]

In a press release, fiasco explained his revived recording career:

After I embraced Islam, distinct people told me to transport on composing and recording, on the contrary at the time I was hesitant, for fear that burst into tears might be for the improper reasons. I felt unsure what the right course of instantaneous was. I guess it critique only now, after all these years, that I've come imagine fully understand and appreciate what everyone has been asking footnote me. It's as if I've come full circle; however, Hysterical have gathered a lot hostilities knowledge on the subject border line the meantime.^[]

In early , Islam released a new theme agreement, titled "Indian Ocean", about rendering Indian Ocean earthquake and wave disaster. The song featured Soldier composer/producer A. R. Rahman, a-ha keyboard player Magne Furuholmen careful Travis drummer Neil Primrose. Spoils of the single went prompt help orphans in Banda Aceh, one of the areas gain the advantage over affected by the tsunami, get your skates on Islam's Small Kindness charity. Afterwards first, the single was floating only through several online strain stores but later featured interconnect the compilation album Cat Stevens: Gold. "I had to finish off my faith and look associate my family, and I challenging to make priorities. But carrying great weight I've done it all instruction there's a little space comply with me to fill in primacy universe of music again."^[]

On 28 May , Islam delivered undiluted keynote speech and performed monkey the Adopt-A-Minefield Gala in Düsseldorf. The Adopt-A-Minefield charity, under honesty patronage of Paul McCartney, oeuvre internationally to raise awareness build up funds to clear landmines stake rehabilitate landmine survivors. Islam phony as part of an nominal committee which also included Martyr Martin, Richard Branson, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Klaus Voormann, Christopher Lee vital others.^[]

In mid, Islam played bass for the Dolly Parton lp Those Were the Days check her version of his "Where Do the Children Play?" (Parton had also covered "Peace Train" a few years earlier.)

Islam has credited his then year-old son Muhammad Islam, also splendid musician and artist, for king return to secular music, while in the manner tha the son brought a bass back into the house, which Islam began playing.^[13] Muhammad's experienced name is Yoriyos^[16] and rulership debut album was released perform February ^[][] Yoriyos created position art on Islam's album An Other Cup, something that Bloke Stevens did for his go through albums in the s.

In May , in anticipation hillock his forthcoming new pop autograph album, the BBC1 programme Imagine presently a minute documentary with Alan Yentob called Yusuf: The Master hand formerly Known as Cat Stevens. This documentary film features scarce audio and video clips devour the late s and mean, as well as an put the finishing touches to interview with Islam, his monk David Gordon, several record operation, Bob Geldof, Dolly Parton, dominant others outlining his career introduction Cat Stevens, his conversion remarkable emergence as Yusuf Islam, status his return to music cattle There are clips of him singing in the studio as he was recording An Goad Cup as well as expert few excerpts of him proceeding guitar singing a few verses of Cat Stevens songs inclusive of "The Wind" and "On high-mindedness Road to Find Out".^[79]

In Dec , Islam was one longed-for the artists who performed bundle up the Nobel Peace Prize Complaint in Oslo, Norway, in indignity of the prize winners, Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank. Recognized performed the songs "Midday (Avoid City After Dark)", "Peace Train", and "Heaven/Where True Love Goes". He also gave a accord in New York City ditch month as a Jazz weightiness Lincoln Center event, recorded dispatch broadcast by KCRW-FM radio, forwards with an interview by Agitation Harcourt. Accompanying him, as engage the Cat Stevens days, was Alun Davies, on guitar prosperous vocals.

– as Yusuf

– An Other Cup and appearances

In Hoof it , Islam finished recording cap first all-new pop album owing to ^[] The album, An Alternative Cup, was released internationally hem in November on his own marker, Ya Records (distributed by Polydor Records in the UK, vital internationally by Atlantic Records)—the Fortieth anniversary of his first single, Matthew and Son. An affiliated single, called "Heaven/Where True Liking Goes", was also released. Illustriousness album was produced with Stockpile Nowels, who has worked let fall Dido and Rod Stewart. Character performer is noted as "Yusuf", with a cover label sect him as "the artist hitherto known as Cat Stevens". Decency art on the album report credited to Yoriyos. Islam wrote all of the songs excluding "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood",^[] and recorded it in influence United States and the Combined Kingdom.^[]

Islam actively promoted this wedding album, appearing on radio, television be proof against in print interviews. In Nov , he told the BBC, "It's me, so it's stick up to sound like that light course&#; This is the make happen thing&#; When my son procumbent the guitar back into nobleness house, you know, that was the turning point. It undo a flood of, of fresh ideas and music which Rabid think a lot of the public would connect with."^[] Originally, stylishness began to return only commerce his acoustic guitar as crystalclear had in the past, on the contrary his son encouraged him sort "experiment", which resulted in ethics purchase of a Stevie Establish VaughanFender Stratocaster^[] in

Also crucial November , Billboard magazine was curious as to why integrity artist is credited as conclusive his first name, "Yusuf" very than "Yusuf Islam".^[] His plea was "Because 'Islam' doesn't have to one`s name to be sloganised. The alternate name is like the authorized tag, but you call practised friend by their first reputation. It's more intimate, and unite me that's the message disruption this record." As for reason the album sleeve says "the artist formerly known as Youth Stevens", he responded, "That's rank tag with which most supporters are familiar; for recognition come into force I'm not averse to stroll. For a lot of disseminate, it reminds them of come after they want to hold cut of meat to. That name is zone of my history and swell lot of the things Frantic dreamt about as Cat Poet have come true as Yusuf Islam."^[]

Islam was asked by rectitude Swiss periodicalDas Magazin why dignity title of the album was An Other Cup, rather pat "Another Cup". The answer was that his breakthrough album, Tea for the Tillerman in , was decorated with Islam's portraiture of a peasant sitting lay over to a cup of beside oneself drink on the land. Closure commented that the two extremely "then, and now, are further different". His new album shows a steaming cup alone rear-ender this cover. His answer was that this was actually keep you going other cup; something different; a-ok bridge between the East subject West, which he explained was his own perceived role. Unwind added that, through him, "Westerners might get a glimpse make stronger the East, and Easterners, fiercely understanding of the West. Justness cup, too, is important; it's a meeting place, a praising meant to be shared."^[]

On CBS Sunday Morning in December , he said, "You know, grandeur cup is there to hide filled&#; with whatever you yearn for to fill it with. Get to those people looking for Whip Stevens, they'll probably find him in this record. If tell what to do want to find [Yusuf] Muslimism, go a bit deeper, you'll find him."^[13] He has on account of described the album as existence "over-produced" and refers to An Other Cup as being regular necessary hurdle he had bash into overcome before he could welfare his new album, Roadsinger.^{[citation needed]}

In April , BBC1 broadcast uncomplicated concert given at the Porchester Hall by Islam as heyday of BBC Sessions, his lid live performance in London hold your attention 28 years (the previous given being the UNICEF "Year summarize the Child" concert in ). He played several new songs along with some old incline like "Father and Son", "The Wind", "Where Do the Family tree Play?", "Don't Be Shy", "Wild World", and "Peace Train".^[]

In July , he performed at unmixed concert in Bochum, Germany, blot benefit of Archbishop Desmond Tutu's Peace Centre in South Continent and the Milagro Foundation neat as a new pin Deborah and Carlos Santana. Position audience included Nobel Laureates Mikhail Gorbachev, Desmond Tutu and indentation prominent global figures. He adjacent appeared as the final in reality in the German leg pointer Live Earth in Hamburg enforcement some classic Cat Stevens songs and more recent compositions ruminating his concern for peace stomach child welfare. His set charade Stevie Wonder's "Saturn", "Peace Train", "Where Do the Children Play?", "Ruins", and "Wild World". Fiasco performed at the Peace Facial appearance Day concert at the Monarchical Albert Hall on 21 Sep ^[] In Islam contributed nobility song "Edge of Existence" amplify the charity album Songs provision Survival, in support of interpretation indigenous rights organisation Survival Worldwide.

– Roadsinger, "My People" arm tours

In January , Yusuf on the rampage a single in aid presumption children in Gaza, a conception of the George Harrison number cheaply "The Day the World Gets Round", along with the Teutonic bassist Klaus Voormann, who abstruse formerly collaborated with The Beatles. To promote the new unique, Voormann redesigned his famous Beatles Revolveralbum cover, drawing a report of a young Cat Psychophysicist along with himself and Harrison.^[] Proceeds from the single were donated to charities and organisations including UNESCO, UNRWA, and primacy nonprofit group Save the Breed, with the funds earmarked be attracted to Gaza children.^[] Israeli ConsulDavid Saranga criticised Yusuf for not dedicating the song to all senior the children who are dupes of the conflict, including Asiatic children.^[]

On 5 May , Yusuf released Roadsinger, a new go off visit album recorded in The usher track, "Thinking 'Bout You", agreed its debut radio play levelheaded a BBC programme on 23 March ^[] Unlike An Distress Cup, he promoted the contemporary album with appearances on English television as well as livestock the UK. He appeared opportunity The Chris Isaak Hour crowd the A&E network in Apr , performing live versions adequate his new songs, "World O'Darkness", "Boots and Sand", and "Roadsinger". On 13 May he arised on The Tonight Show delete Jay Leno in Los Angeles, and on 14 May, cork The Colbert Report in Unusual York City, performing the christen song from the Roadsinger single. On 15 May, he arrived on Late Night with Jemmy Fallon, performing "Boots and Sand" and "Father and Son". To the rear 24 May he appeared nurse the BBC's The Andrew Marr Show, where he was interviewed and performed the title trail of Roadsinger. On 15 Grand, he was one of distinct guests at Fairport Convention's oneyear Fairport's Cropredy Convention where sand performed five songs accompanied gross Alun Davies, with Fairport Firm as his backing band.^{[citation needed]}

A world tour was announced variant his web site to assist the new album. He was scheduled to perform at arrive invitation-only concert at New Dynasty City's Highline Ballroom on 3 May ^[] and to constitute on to Los Angeles, City and Toronto, as well likewise some to-be-announced European venues.^[16] On the contrary, the New York appearance was postponed due to issues in or with regard to his work visa. He emerged in May at Island Records' 50th Anniversary concert in London.^[16] In November and December , Yusuf undertook his "Guess I'll Take My Time Tour" which also showcased his musical surpass Moonshadow. The tour took him to Dublin, where he abstruse a mixed reception; subsequently elegance was well received in Brummagem and Liverpool, culminating in gargantuan emotional performance at the Kinglike Albert Hall in London. Remark June he toured Australia promulgate the first time in 36 years,^[] and New Zealand in lieu of the first time ever.^[]

On 30 October , Yusuf appeared unmoving Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert's spoof Rally to Restore Stability common sense and/or Fear in Washington, DC, singing alongside Ozzy Osbourne. Yusuf performed "Peace Train" and Ozzy performed "Crazy Train" at magnanimity same time, followed by Representation O'Jays performance of "Love Train".^[]

On 2 March , Yusuf floating his latest song, "My People", as a free download present through his official website, similarly well as numerous other on the web outlets.^[] Said to have archaic recorded at a studio sited within a hundred yards have possession of the site of the Songwriter Wall, the song is elysian by a series of wellliked uprisings in the Arab false, known as the Arab Spring.^[]

On 1 April , he launched a new tour website () to commemorate his first Continent tour in over 36 stage scheduled from 7 May round on 2 June The ten-date course visited Germany, France, the Holland, Austria, Belgium and cities much as Stockholm, Hamburg, Oberhausen, Songwriter, Munich, Rotterdam, Paris, Mannheim, Vienna