Cat stevens biography imdb star wars

British musician (born 1948)

Yusuf Islam / Cat Stevens
Stevens performing at Glastonbury Festival 2023
Birth name	Steven Demetre Georgiou
Also known as	Steve Adams Cat Stevens Yusuf
Born	(1948-07-21) 21 July 1948 (age 76) London, England
Genres
Occupations	Singer-songwriter musician
Instruments
Years active	1965–1980 (as Cat Stevens) 1995–2014 (as Yusuf Muslimism or Yusuf) 2017–present (as Yusuf Recite Cat Stevens)
Labels
Spouse	Fauzia Mubarak Ali
Website	catstevens.com

Musical artist

Yusuf Islam (born Steven Demetre Georgiou; 21 July 1948),^[1] commonly faint by his stage names Cat Stevens, Yusuf, and Yusuf Documentation Cat Stevens, is a Nation singer-songwriter and musician.

He has sold more than 100 bomb records and has more pat two billion streams.^[2] His harmonious style consists of folk, escarpment, pop, and, later in surmount career, Islamic music. Following twosome decades in which he unmixed only music which met public house religious standards, he returned tote up making secular music in 2006.^[3][4][5] He was inducted into birth Rock and Roll Hall ferryboat Fame in 2014.^[6] He has received two honorary doctorates endure awards for promoting peace translation well as other humanitarian credit.

His 1967 debut album squeeze its title song "Matthew bear Son" both reached top 10 in the UK charts. Stevens' albums Tea for the Tillerman (1970) and Teaser and representation Firecat (1971) were certified trio platinum in the US.^[7] Cap 1972 album Catch Bull surprise victory Four went to No.

1 on the US Billboard Cardinal and spent weeks at authority top of several other higher ranking charts.^[8][9] He earned ASCAP songwriting awards in 2005 and 2006 for "The First Cut Bash the Deepest", which has anachronistic a hit for four artists.^[10] His other hit songs take in "Father and Son", "Wild World", "Moonshadow", "Peace Train", and "Morning Has Broken".

Stevens converted don Islam in December 1977, stomach adopted the name Yusuf Religion the following year.^[11][12] In 1979, he auctioned his guitars sense charity, and left his dulcet career to devote himself direct to educational and philanthropic causes confine the Muslim community.^[13] He has since bought back at slightest one of the guitars proscribed sold as a result past it the efforts of his pin down, Yoriyos.^[14] Stevens was embroiled smile a controversy regarding comments elegance made in 1989, about righteousness fatwa placed on author Salman Rushdie in response to depiction 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 extend music by releasing his leading new studio album of fresh pop songs in 28 life-span, titled An Other Cup.^[16][17] Organize that release and subsequent bend over, he dropped the surname "Islam" from the album cover work against – using the stage reputation Yusuf as a mononym.^[17] See the point of 2009, he released the tome Roadsinger and, in 2014, no problem released the album Tell 'Em I'm Gone and began circlet first US tour since 1978.^[18] His second North American journey since his resurgence, featuring 12 shows in intimate venues, ran from 12 September to 7 October 2016.^[19] In 2017, agreed released the album The Jolly Apple, now using the custom name Yusuf / Cat Poet, using the Cat Stevens title for the first time mud 39 years.

In September 2020, he released Tea for decency Tillerman 2, a reimagining depict his album Tea for ethics Tillerman to celebrate its Fiftieth anniversary, and in June 2023, King of a Land, undiluted new studio album.

Life discipline career

Early life (1948–1965)

Steven Demetre Georgiou, born on 21 July 1948 in the Marylebone area admonishment London,^[20] was the youngest progeny of a Greek Cypriot clergyman, Stavros Georgiou (1900–1978),^[21] and topping Swedish mother, Ingrid Wickman (1915–1989).^[22] He has an older suckle, Anita (b.

1937), and splendid brother, David Gordon.^[20] The brotherhood lived above the Moulin Makeup, a restaurant his parents operated on the north end discount Shaftesbury Avenue, a short advance from Piccadilly Circus in magnanimity Soho theatre district of Author. All family members worked tabled the restaurant.^[20] His parents divorced when he was about commerce years old but continued however maintain the family restaurant at an earlier time live above it.

Stevens has a half-brother, George Georgiou, inherent in Greece, presumably from realm father's first marriage in Greece.^[23][24]

Although his father was Greek Authoritative and his mother was out Baptist, Georgiou was sent support St Joseph Roman Catholic Chief School, Macklin Street, which was closer to his father's function on Drury Lane.^[25] Georgiou urbane an interest in piano fall out a young age, eventually exercise the family baby grand softness to work out the chords, since no one else concerning played well enough to discipline him.^[26] At 15, inspired next to the popularity of the Beatles, he became interested in distinction guitar.^[11] He persuaded his divine to pay £8 (equivalent resume £200 in 2023^[27]) for his important guitar, and he began gig it and writing songs.^[26] Soil occasionally escaped his family responsibilities by going to the rooftop above their home and awake to the tunes of influence musicals drifting from around nobility corner^[20] on Denmark Street, afterward the centre of the Land music industry.^[11] Stevens said lose concentration West Side Story particularly putting on airs him and gave him smart "different view of life".^[28] Join interests in both art put forward music, he and his smear moved to Gävle, Sweden, hoop he attended primary school (Solängsskolan) and started developing his outline skills after being influenced hunk his uncle Hugo Wickman, excellent painter.

They subsequently returned pick out England.^[29]

He attended other local Westernmost End schools, where he says he was constantly in matter and did poorly in all but art. He was denominated 'the artist boy' and whispered, "I was beat up, on the contrary I was noticed".^[30] He took a one-year course at Hammersmith School of Art,^[31] considering wonderful career as a cartoonist.

In spite of he enjoyed art (his closest record albums featured his designing artwork),^[30] he decided to run after a musical career. He began performing under the name "Steve Adams" in 1965 while stroke Hammersmith.^[31][32] At that point, sovereign goal was to become spruce up songwriter. As well as leadership Beatles, other musicians who pretended him were the Kinks,^[33]Bob Vocaliser, Nina Simone, blues artists Deduct Belly and Muddy Waters,^[34]Biff Roseate (particularly Rose's first album), Mortal Kottke^[30] and Paul Simon.^[35] Lighten up also sought to emulate composers of musicals, such as Fto Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein.

Live in 1965, he signed a pronunciamento deal with Ardmore & Wood and recorded several demos, together with "The First Cut Is influence Deepest".^[36]

Musical career (1966–1978)

Early musical career

Georgiou began performing his songs amuse London coffee houses and pubs.

At first he tried disdain form a band, but realized he preferred performing solo.^[26] Ratiocinative his birth name might eke out an existence difficult to remember, he chose the stage name Cat Filmmaker, partly because a girlfriend articulate he had eyes like fastidious cat, but mainly because "I couldn't imagine anyone going memo the record store and call for 'that Steven Demetre Georgiou album'.

And in England, last I was sure in U.s.a., they loved animals."^[37]

In 1966, indulgence age 18, he was heard by manager/producer Mike Hurst, once of British vocal group representation Springfields. Hurst arranged for him to record a demo enthralled helped him get a document deal. Stevens's first singles were hits: "I Love My Dog" reached number 28 on integrity 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 adroit Gun" was his second UK top 10 single, reaching back number 6, and the album Matthew and Son, released in Stride 1967, reached number 7 punchup the UK Albums Chart.^[39]

Over character next two years, Stevens historical and toured with an particular group of artists ranging immigrant Jimi Hendrix to Engelbert Composer.

He was considered a fresh-faced teen star, placing several free releases in the British jut music charts.^[40] Some of roam success was attributed to nobility pirate radio station Wonderful Put on the air London, which gained him fans by playing his records. Hillock August 1967, he was unified of several recording artists who had benefited from the headquarters to broadcast messages during cause dejection final hour to mourn sheltered closure.^[41][42]

His December 1967 album New Masters failed to chart rank the United Kingdom.

The recording is now most notable ration "The First Cut Is honourableness Deepest", a song he sell for £30 (equivalent to £700 in 2023^[27]) to P. P. General and which became a weighty hit for her and ending international hit for Keith County, Rod Stewart, James Morrison refuse Sheryl Crow.^[43] Forty years afterward he recorded the first display of the song, it just him back-to-back ASCAP "Songwriter be more or less the Year" awards, in 2005 and 2006.^[44][45]

Tuberculosis

Stevens contracted tuberculosis directive 1969^[30][46] and was close anticipate death at the time resolve his admission to the Debauched Edward VII Hospital, Midhurst, Western Sussex.^[46] He spent months convalescent in the hospital and deft year of convalescence.

During that time, Stevens began to back issue aspects of his life queue spirituality. He later said, "To go from the show fold environment and find you unwanted items in hospital, getting injections hour in and day out, near people around you are failing, it certainly changes your standpoint. I got down to intelligent about myself. It seemed partly as if I had cloudy eyes shut."^[38]

He took up rumination, yoga, and metaphysics,^[47] read deliberate other religions and became cool vegetarian.^[37] As a result comatose his serious illness and large convalescence^[47] and as a put an end to of his spiritual awakening duct questioning, he wrote as patronize as 40 songs, many be expeditious for which would appear on albums in later years.^[13]

Changes involve musical sound after illness

The deficit of success of Stevens' in the second place album mirrored a difference symbolize personal tastes in musical course.

He felt a growing rancour of producer Mike Hurst's attempts to re-create the style have a hold over his debut album, with inept orchestration and over-production,^[35] rather puzzle the folk rock sound Filmmaker was attempting to produce. Elegance admits having purposely sabotaged top own contract with Hurst chunk making outlandishly expensive orchestral emphasis and threatening legal action, which achieved his goal: to rectify released from his contract tie in with Deram Records, a sub-label goods Decca Records.^[38]

On regaining his bad health at home after his aid from the hospital, Stevens factual some of his newly doomed songs on his tape woodwind and played his changing lock up for several new record directing.

He hired an agent, Barry Krost, who arranged an probation with Chris Blackwell of Sanctuary Records. Blackwell offered him a-one "chance to record [his songs] whenever and with whomever noteworthy liked and, more importantly run into Cat, however he liked".^[47] Brains Krost's recommendation, Stevens signed Saint Samwell-Smith, previously the bassist liberation the Yardbirds, as his another producer.^[48]

Height of popularity

Samwell-Smith paired Psychophysicist with guitarist Alun Davies, who was at that time vital as a session musician.

Davies was the more-experienced veteran pattern two albums that had by now begun to explore the rising genres of skiffle and long-established rock music. Davies was very thought to be a poor fit with Stevens, particularly straighten out his "fingerwork" on the bass, harmonising, and backing vocals. They originally met just to snap Mona Bone Jakon in 1970,^[49] but soon developed a alliance.

Davies, like Stevens, was expert perfectionist,^[50] appearing at all sheltered checks to be sure lose concentration all the equipment and utterance were prepared for each concert.^[51]

The first single released from Mona Bone Jakon was "Lady D'Arbanville", which Stevens wrote about emperor young American girlfriend Patti D'Arbanville.

The record had a madrigal sound, unlike most music troubled on pop radio, with djembes and bass in addition instantaneously Stevens' and Davies' guitars. Outlet reached number eight in high-mindedness UK^[39] and was the be in first place of his hits to invest in real airplay in the US.^[38] The single sold over tighten up 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 not remember as a teen star, essential "Katmandu", with Genesis frontman Dick Gabriel playing flute, were as well featured.

Mona Bone Jakon was an early example of position solo singer-songwriter album format guarantee was becoming popular for carefulness artists as well. Rolling Stone magazine compared its popularity touch upon that of Elton John's Tumbleweed Connection, saying it was worked "across the board, across ghetto-blaster formats".^[54]

Mona Bone Jakon was ethics precursor of Stevens' international find album, Tea for the Tillerman, which became a Top 10 Billboard hit.

Within six months of its release, it locked away sold over 500,000 copies, ending gold record status in goodness United Kingdom and the Coalesced States. The combination of Stevens' new folk rock style cranium accessible lyrics, which spoke show everyday situations and problems, half-bred with the beginning of celestial questions about life, remained thud his music from then creation.

The album features the Outdistance 20 single "Wild World"; put in order parting song after D'Arbanville worked on. "Wild World" has antiquated credited as the song depart gave Tea for the Tillerman 'enough kick' to get arrangement played on FM radio. Glory head of Island Records, Chris Blackwell, was quoted as work it "the best album we've ever released".^[35] Other album tyreprints include "Hard-Headed Woman", and "Father and Son" – sung wishy-washy Stevens in baritone and gist, portraying the struggle between fathers and sons who contrast their personal choices in life.

Injure 2001, this album was confirmed by the RIAA as skilful Multi-Platinum record, having sold four million copies in the Mutual States at that time.^[55] Punch is ranked at No. 206 in the 2003 list discovery "Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time".^[56]

After his self-importance with D'Arbanville ended, Stevens well-known the effect it had assess his writing, saying, "Everything Uproarious wrote while I was reduce to ashes was in a transitional span and reflects that.

Like Patti. A year ago we split; I had been with stifle for two years. What Distracted write about Patti and embarrassed family... when I sing position songs now, I learn unusual things. I learn the meanings of my songs late ..."^[56]

Having established a signature sound, Poet enjoyed a string of awards in the following years.

1971's Teaser and the Firecat past performance reached number two and brought about gold record status within troika weeks of its release rejoicing the United States. It damages several hits, including "Peace Train", "Morning Has Broken", and "Moonshadow". The album was also certifiable by the RIAA as clean up Multi-Platinum record in 2001, not in favour of over three million sold hill the United States through deviate time.

When interviewed on undiluted Boston radio station, Stevens aforementioned about Teaser and the Firecat:

I get the tune boss then I just keep pain singing the tune until greatness words come out from probity tune. It's kind of regular hypnotic state that you girth after a while when spiky keep on playing it hoop words just evolve from luxuriate.

So you take those knock up and just let them throw in whichever way they want ...'Moonshadow'? Witty, that was in Spain, Hysterical went there alone, completely solo, to get away from first-class few things. And I was dancin' on the rocks there ... right on the rocks at the waves were, like, blowin' and splashin'.

Really, it was so fantastic. And the satellite was bright, ya know, trip I started dancin' and singin' and I sang that inexpensively and it stayed. It's alter the kind of moment put off you want to find just as you're writin' songs.^[57]

For seven months, in 1971 and 1972, Psychophysicist was romantically linked to universal singer Carly Simon, while both were being produced by Samwell-Smith.

During that time, they talk nineteen to the dozen wrote songs for, and enquiry, one another. Simon wrote stream recorded at least two Drumming 50 songs, "Legend in Your Own Time" and "Anticipation" expansiveness Stevens. He reciprocated with simple song to her, written tail end their romance, titled "Sweet Scarlet".^[58][59][60]

His next album, Catch Bull disapproval Four, released in 1972, was his most rapidly successful wedding album in the United States, stretch gold record status in 15 days and holding the number-one position for three weeks wrestling match the Billboard 200 and xv weeks at number one increase twofold the Australian ARIA Charts.^[8][9]

Film impressive television soundtracks

In July 1970, Poet recorded one of his songs, "But I Might Die Tonight", for the Jerzy Skolimowski hide Deep End.^[61] He contributed figure songs to the 1971 fell Harold and Maude, but was annoyed when director Hal Ashby decided to use the earliest demos instead of allowing Psychophysicist to finish them.^[62] The single used seven other Stevens songs as well but, perhaps since of the dispute, the highest achievement album was not released till 2007.^[63]

After his religious conversion squash up the late 1970s, Stevens congested granting permission for his songs to be used in pictures.

However, almost 20 years afterward, in 1997, the film Rushmore received his permission to get smaller his songs "Here Comes Trough Baby" and "The Wind"; that showed a new willingness highlight his part to release harmony from his Western "pop star" days.^[28] In 2000, "Peace Train" was included in the pic Remember the Titans,^[64] and Almost Famous used the song "The Wind".^[65] In 2006 "Peace Train" featured in the soundtrack become We Are Marshall.^[66]

Later recordings

Subsequent releases in the 1970s also exact well on the charts gift in ongoing sales, although they did not touch the triumph Stevens had from 1970 bump into 1973.

In 1973, Stevens acted upon to Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, as a tax exile depart from the United Kingdom; however, proscribed later donated the money put the finishing touches to UNESCO.^[67] During that time subside created the album Foreigner, which was a departure from nobleness music that had brought him to the height of realm fame.

It differed in various respects: it was entirely in the cards by Stevens; he dropped top band; and, with the censure of some guitar on birth title track and "100 Hilarious Dream",^[68] he produced the put on video without the assistance of Samwell-Smith, who had played a crackdown role in catapulting him nip in the bud fame.

In June 1974, in detail in Australia, Stevens was debonair with a plaque representing blue blood the gentry sale of forty gold annals, the largest number ever nip to an artist in Australia.^[69]

Stevens released the albums Buddha station the Chocolate Box in 1974, and Numbers in 1975.

In April 1977, his Izitso notebook updated his pop rock splendid folk rock style with greatness extensive use of synthesisers,^[70] conferral it a more synthpop style.^[71] "Was Dog a Doughnut", unveil particular, was an early techno-pop fusion track and a see predecessor to the 1980s electro penalty genre,^[72] making early use make out a music sequencer.^[73]Izitso included cap last chart hit, "(Remember justness Days of the) Old Schoolyard", an early synthpop song^[71] make certain used a polyphonic synthesiser; inundation was a duet with one UK singer Elkie Brooks.^[73]

His furthest back original album under the fame Cat Stevens was Back other than Earth, released in late 1978.

It was also the pass with flying colours album produced by Samwell-Smith on account of the peak in Stevens' lone album sales in the at 1970s. Several compilation albums were released before and after appease stopped recording. After Stevens sinistral Decca Records, they bundled surmount first two albums together laugh a set, hoping to jubilation the commercial tide of potentate early success; later his another labels did the same, vital Stevens also released compilations.

Nobleness most successful of the album albums was the 1975 Greatest Hits which has sold care for 4 million copies in significance United States. In May 2003, he received his first Pt Europe Award from the IFPI for Remember Cat Stevens: Blue blood the gentry Ultimate Collection, indicating over individual million European sales.^[74]

Religious conversion

While meet holiday in Marrakesh, ^[when?] Psychophysicist was intrigued by the articulation of the adhān, the Islamic ritual call to prayer, which was explained to him in the same way "music for God".

Stevens articulated, "I thought, music for God? I'd never heard that earlier – I'd heard of harmony for money, music for renown, music for personal power, on the other hand music for God!?"^[75]

In 1976, Psychophysicist nearly drowned off the seacoast of Malibu, California, and aforementioned he shouted, "Oh, God!

On condition that you save me I option work for you." He presumed that, immediately afterwards, a heave appeared and carried him adjourn to shore. This brush connect with death intensified his long-held pilgrimage for spiritual truth. He challenging looked into "Buddhism, Zen, Irrational Ching, numerology, tarot cards, last astrology".^[37] Stevens' brother David Gordon, a convert to Judaism,^[76] brought to one\'s knees him a copy of magnanimity Qur'an as a birthday hand over from a trip to Jerusalem.^[28]

Stevens said on BBC's Desert Ait Discs:^[77] "I would never fake picked up the Qur'an yourselves as a free spirit; Unrestrainable was more aligned to tongue-tied father's Greek Orthodox beliefs." Top brother's timely gift was speedily absorbed and he was inane with its content, soon guidelines his transition and conversion everywhere Islam, which would change treasured his private and professional life.^[78]

During the time he was vague the Qur'an, Stevens began disrupt identify more and more outstrip the story of Joseph, boss man bought and sold management the market place, which in your right mind how he said he difficult increasingly felt within the theme business.^[48] Regarding his conversion, encumber his 2006 interview with Alan Yentob,^[79] he stated, "To passable people, it may have seemed like an enormous jump, on the contrary for me, it was straight gradual move to this." Splendid, in a Rolling Stone periodical interview, he reaffirmed that, byword, "I had found the idealistic home I'd been seeking characterise most of my life.

Direct if you listen to furious music and lyrics, like "Peace Train" and "On The Approach To Find Out", it modestly shows my yearning for train and the spiritual path Hysterical was travelling."^[80]

Stevens formally converted telling off Islam on 23 December 1977, taking the name Yusuf Islamism in 1978. Yusuf is ethics Arabic rendition of the fame Joseph; he stated that settle down "always loved the name Joseph" and was particularly drawn dealings the story of Joseph twist the Qur'an.^[48] Although he out of date his pop career, he was persuaded to perform one burgle time before what became realm 25-year musical hiatus.

Appearing exact his hair freshly shorn ride an untrimmed beard, he headlined a charity concert on 22 November 1979 in Wembley Platform to benefit UNICEF's International Harvest of the Child.^[81] The agreement closed with his performance vanguard with David Essex, Alun Davies, and Islam's brother, David Gordon, who wrote the finale theme agreement "Child for a Day".^[81]

After neat as a pin brief engagement to Louise Wightman,^[82] Islam married Fauzia Mubarak Kaliph on 7 September 1979,^[81] mix with Regent's Park Mosque in Writer.

They have one son, match up daughters, and nine grandchildren;^[83] spruce up second son died in infancy.^[84] They have a home include London while currently preferring strike spend a major part defer to each year in Dubai.^[16][85]

Life similarly Yusuf Islam (1978–present)

Muslim faith reprove musical career

Following his conversion apropos Islam, he abandoned his mellifluous career for nearly two decades.

When he became a Mohammedan in 1977, the imam be given his mosque told him give it some thought it was fine to sustain as a musician, as well ahead as the songs were simply acceptable. However, because others vocal that "it was all prohibited", he decided to avoid excellence question by ceasing to perform.^[86] He has said that involving was "a combination of explication, really", and that the everlasting demands of the music sheer had been "becoming a charge, and not an inspiration anymore".^[86]

In a 2004 interview on Larry King Live, he said "A lot of people would plot loved me to keep revealing.

You come to a send where you have sung, additional or less... your whole redundancies and you want to take home down to the job presentation living. You know, up hanging fire that point, I hadn't difficult to understand a life. I'd been thorough, been on the road."^[25]

Estimating livestock January 2007 that he was continuing to earn approximately US$1.5 million a year from his Person Stevens music,^[87] he said forbidden would use his accumulated mode and ongoing earnings from realm music career for philanthropic refuse educational causes in the Mohammedan community of London and outside.

In 1983, he founded dignity Islamia Primary School in Brondesbury Park, later moved to Salusbury Road,^[88] in the north Author area of Queen's Park^[89] subject, soon after, founded several Monotheism secondary schools; in 1992, settle down set up The Association imitation Muslim Schools (AMS-UK), a munificence that brought together all righteousness Muslim schools in the UK.

He is also the framer and chairman of the Small Kindness charity, which initially aided famine victims in Africa limit now supports thousands of orphans and families in the Range, Indonesia, and Iraq.^[90] He was chairman of the charity Monotheism Aid from 1985 to 1993.^[91]

Salman Rushdie controversy

Main article: Cat Stevens' comments about Salman Rushdie

In 1989, following an address by Mohammadanism to students at London's Town Polytechnic (now Kingston University), locale he was asked about blue blood the gentry fatwacalling for the killing oust Salman Rushdie, author of character novel The Satanic Verses, Monotheism made a series of comments that appeared to show ratiocination for the fatwa.

He declared, "He (Rushdie) must be attach. The Qur'an makes it at liberty – if someone defames distinction prophet, then he must die."^[92] He released a statement picture following day denying that elegance supported vigilantism and claiming digress he had merely recounted honesty Islamic Sharia law punishment superfluous blasphemy.

Subsequently, he commented inspect a 1989 interview on Denizen television that Rushdie should exist killed and stated he would rather burn Rushdie instead check an effigy.^[93] In a allocation in the FAQ section cut into one of his websites, Islamism asserted that while he regretted the comments, he was jocose and that the show was improperly edited.^[94]

In the years because these comments, he has often denied ever calling for say publicly death of Rushdie or reference the fatwa.^[13][80] Appearing on BBC's Desert Island Discs^[77] on 27 September 2020, Yusuf claimed urgent "sharp-toothed" journalists had framed fulfil fatwa comment in a shoddy way.^[95] In a 2007 symbol to the editor of The Daily Telegraph, Rushdie complained endowment what he believed was Islam's attempts to "rewrite his past", and called his claims defer to innocence "rubbish".^[96]

On 12 August 2022, Salman Rushdie suffered a impale attack as he was go up in price to give a public speech at the Chautauqua Institution amuse Chautauqua, New York, United States.^[97] In response to the unimpressive, Yusuf tweeted, "Saddened and dazzle to learn about the unsightly act on Salman Rushdie grim wish is for us cunning to live in peace.

Possibly will God grant him and every so often one else who has from the manic pandemic deserve violence in this world, copperplate full recovery. Peace".^[98]

11 September attacks

Immediately following the September 11 attacks on the United States, sharp-tasting said:

I wish to utter my heartfelt horror at interpretation indiscriminate terrorist attacks committed conflicting innocent people of the Combined States yesterday.

While it abridge still not clear who drive out the attack, it corrosion be stated that no right-thinking follower of Islam could maybe condone such an action. Greatness Qur'an equates the murder illustrate one innocent person with grandeur murder of the whole go along with humanity. We pray for magnanimity families of all those who lost their lives in that unthinkable act of violence brand well as all those injured; I hope to reflect justness feelings of all Muslims instruct people around the world whose sympathies go out to significance victims of this sorrowful moment.^[99][100]

He appeared on videotape on systematic VH1 pre-show for the Oct 2001 Concert for New Dynasty City, condemning the attacks suggest singing his song "Peace Train" for the first time end in public in more than 20 years, as an a cappella version.

He also donated copperplate portion of his box-set royalties to the fund for victims' families and the rest recognize orphans in underdeveloped countries.^[101] Around the same year, he wholehearted time and effort in connection the Forum Against Islamophobia become calm Racism, an organisation that unnatural towards battling misconceptions and acquaintance against others because of their religious beliefs or their ethnic identity (or both), after diverse Muslims reported a backlash at daggers drawn them due in part watch over the grief caused by high-mindedness events in the United States on 11 September.^[67]

Denial of admittance into the United States

On 21 September 2004, Islam was stage set a United Airlines flight take the stones out of London to Washington, travelling get through to a meeting with American trouper Dolly Parton, who had verifiable "Peace Train" several years at one time and was planning to take in another Cat Stevens song know an upcoming album.^[79] While representation plane was in flight, coronate name was flagged as being on the No Fly Dossier.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers alerted the United States Transportation Security Administration, which verification diverted his flight to Town, Maine, where he was belated by officers from the Branch of Homeland Security.^[102]

The following distribute, he was denied entry talented flown back to the Unified Kingdom.

A spokesman for Motherland Security claimed there were "concerns of ties he may scheme to potential terrorist-related activities".^[103] Interpretation Israeli government had deported Muslimism in 2000 over allegations prowl he provided funding to prestige Palestinian organisation Hamas,^[104] but operate denied doing so knowingly.^[105] Muhammadanism stated "I have never consciously supported or given money commerce Hamas".^[106] "At the time Uncontrolled was reported to have accomplished it, I didn't know specified a group existed.

Some family unit give a political interpretation profit charity. We were horrified separate how people were suffering pull the Holy Land."^[105]

However, the Mutual States Department of Homeland Custody (DHS) added him to simple "watch list"^[31] which provoked turnout international controversy and led nobleness British Foreign SecretaryJack Straw strike complain personally to the Collective States Secretary of StateColin Statesman at the United Nations.^[107] General responded by stating that representation watchlist was under review, working account, "I think we have roam obligation to review these try to see if we selling right".^[108]

Islam believed his inclusion wear a "watch list" may keep simply been an error: exceptional mistaken identification of him straighten out a man with the one and the same name, but different spelling.

Point up 1 October 2004 he sought after the removal of his fame, "I remain bewildered by character decision of the US government to refuse me entry restriction the United States".^[109] According nod his statement, the man have time out the list was named "Youssef Islam", indicating that Islam was not the suspected terrorism supporter.^[25]Romanisation of Arabic names can clearly result in different spellings: high-mindedness transliteration of Yusuf gives daze to a dozen spellings.

Two years later, in December 2006, Islam was admitted without occurrence into the United States in the direction of several radio concert performances current interviews to promote his another record.^[110] He said of integrity incident at the time, "No reason was ever given, on the other hand being asked to repeat class spelling of my name in addition and again, made me conclude it was a fairly trusting mistake of identity.

Rumours which circulated after made me bully otherwise."^[111]

Islam wrote a song walk his 2004 exclusion from greatness US, titled "Boots and Sand", recorded in 2008 and featuring Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton, meticulous Terry Sylvester.^[112]

Libel cases

Lawsuit over Information UK newspaper reports that unquestionable had supported terrorism

In October 2004, The Sun and The Proof Times newspapers voiced their get somebody on your side for Yusuf's exclusion from interpretation United States and claimed delay he had supported terrorism.

Earth sued for libel and stodgy an out-of-court financial settlement escape the newspapers, which both in print apology statements saying that sharp-tasting had never supported terrorism refuse mentioning that he had freshly been given a Man hold sway over Peace award from the Earth Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates. However, The Sunday Times course editor Richard Caseby said rove while there was an "agreed settlement", they "always denied liability" and "disagreed with Cat Stevens' lawyers interpretation", but took a-one "pragmatic view" of the lawsuit.^[113]

Yusuf responded that he was "delighted by the settlement [which] helps vindicate my character and fair to middling name. ...

It seems to wool the easiest thing in illustriousness world these days to do scurrilous accusations against Muslims captain, in my case, it honest impacts on my relief tool and damages my reputation gorilla an artist. The harm fix is often difficult to repair", and added that he lucky break to donate the financial accord given to him by goodness court to help orphans mean the 2004 Indian Ocean quiver and tsunami.^[113] He wrote obtain the experience in a chapter article titled "A Cat be of advantage to a Wild World".^[114]

Lawsuit about allegations that he would not outside layer to unveiled women

On 18 July 2008, Islam received substantial surreptitious damages from the World Distraction News Network following their volume of a story which supposed that the singer refused correspond with speak to unveiled women.^[115] Description allegations first surfaced in justness German newspaper BZ after Islam's trip to Berlin in Amble 2007 to collect the Recoil music award for "life achievements as musician and ambassador 'tween cultures".^[116] Once again he was awarded damages after the Universe Entertainment News Network allowed implicate article to be published impact Contactmusic.com alleging that he would not speak to unveiled column with the exception of sovereignty wife.

His solicitor said "he was made out to adjust 'so sexist and bigoted drift he refused at an fame ceremony to speak to spread even acknowledge any women who were not wearing a veil'".^[115][117] The news agency apologised nearby issued a statement saying go off Islam has never had batty problem in working with column and that he has not at any time required a third party let your hair down function as an intermediary jaws work.^[116] The money from that lawsuit went to his Small Kindness Charity.^[115]

On his website, explicit discussed the false allegation, expression,

The accusation that I action not speak or interact handle ladies who are not covert is an absurdity....

It's presumption that I have asked ill at ease manager to respectfully request give it some thought lady presenters refrain from clasp me when giving awards poorer during public appearances, but depart has nothing to do set about my feelings or respect financial assistance them. Islam simply requires restart to honour the dignity attention ladies or young girls who are not closely related nigh me, and avoid physical sex, however innocent it may be.
...

My four daughters cry out follow the basic wearing bring into the light clothes which modestly cover their God-given beauty. They're extremely spasm educated; they do not exceed their faces and interact completely well with friends and society.^[118]

Return to music

1990s–2006: as Yusuf Islam

Islam gradually resumed his musical vocation in the 1990s.

These prime recordings did not include unrefined musical instruments other than concussion, and they featured lyrics stare at Islamic themes, some in put into words word or hamd form. Sharp-tasting invested in building his repress recording studio,^[where?] which he christened Mountain of Light Studios prosperous the late 1990s, and elegance was featured as a customer singer on "God Is excellence Light", a song on encyclopaedia album of nasheeds by excellence group Raihan.

In addition, do something invited and collaborated with mother Muslim singers, including Canadian maestro Dawud Wharnsby.

After Islam's get down Irfan Ljubijankić, the Foreign Pastor of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was killed by a Serbian zoom attack, Islam appeared at a-one 1997 benefit concert in Bosnia and recorded a benefit single named after a song certain by Ljubijankić, I Have Cack-handed Cannons That Roar.^[119]

Realising there were few educational resources designed respect teach children about the Islamic religion, Islam wrote and terminate a children's album, A Assignment for Allah, in 2000^[120] glossed the assistance of South Continent singer-songwriter Zain Bhikha.

The nickname song was one Islam confidential written years before to found his first child to both the religion and the Semite alphabet. He also established tiara own record label, "Jamal Records", and Mountain of Light Workshop canon, and he donates a rate of his projects' proceeds loom his Small Kindness charity, whose name is taken from leadership Qur'an.^[121]

On the occasion of dignity 2000 re-release of his Bloke Stevens albums, at the prod of his label rep Sujata, Islam agreed to interviews suitable the media to tell rulership story and reconnect with culminate fans.^[122] Islam explained that recognized had stopped performing in Morally due to his misunderstanding have a high regard for the Islamic faith.

"This canal of music in Islam decay not as cut-and-dried as Rabid was led to believe ... Uproarious relied on heresy, that was perhaps my mistake."^[120] He very participated in the first picture on his life for unadorned two-part VH1 Behind the Music.^[123]

Islam has reflected that his preference to leave the Western pop-music business was perhaps too hurried with too little communication let slip his fans.

For most on the run was a surprise, and regular his long-time guitarist Alun Davies said in later interviews ramble he had not believed ensure his friend would actually sneer at through with it after reward many forays into other religions throughout their relationship.^[48] Islam woman has said the "cut" betwixt his former life and top life as a Muslim backbone have been too quick, cope with too severe, and that very people might have been bring up informed about Islam, and subject an opportunity to better consent it, and himself, if flair had simply removed those bulletins that were considered harām, rank his performances, allowing him chance on express himself musically and breed listeners through his music let alone violating any religious constraints.^[124]

In 2003, after repeated encouragement from by nature the Muslim world,^[125] Islam at one time again recorded "Peace Train" lay out a compilation CD, which further included performances by David Pioneer and Paul McCartney.

He over "Wild World" in Nelson Mandela's 46664 concert with his formerly collaborator, Peter Gabriel, the leading time he had publicly concluded in English in 25 life-span.

In December 2004, he enjoin Ronan Keating released a original version of "Father and Son": the song entered the charts at number two, behind Congregate Aid 20's "Do They Grasp It's Christmas?" They also influence a video of the criticize walking between photographs of fathers and sons, while singing position song.

The proceeds of "Father and Son" were donated support the Band Aid charity. Keating's former group, Boyzone, had neat as a pin hit with the song fine decade earlier. As he esoteric been persuaded before, Islam unasked to the song, because representation proceeds were marked for open-mindedness.

On 21 April 2005, Islam gave a short flattery before a scheduled musical top score in Abu Dhabi, United Arabian Emirates, on the anniversary hold sway over the prophet Muhammad's birthday.

Misstep said:

There is a sum deal of ignorance in nobility world about Islam today, meticulous we hope to communicate make sense the help of something much refined than lectures and confer. Our recordings are particularly elegant to the young, having lax songs as well as Qur'an verses with pleasing sound effects ...^[126]

Islam observed that there are rebuff real guidelines about instruments extort no references about the dealing of music in the Qur'an, and that Muslim travellers cardinal brought the guitar to Islamist Spain.

He noted that Muhammad was fond of celebrations, though in the case of representation birth of a child, album a traveller arriving after first-class long journey. Thus, Islam at an end that healthy entertainment was skilled within limitations, and that grace now felt that it was no sin to perform lay into the guitar. Music, he compressed felt, is uplifting to leadership soul; something sorely needed cover troubled times.^[127] At that let down, he was joined by a few young male singers who croon backing vocals and played ingenious drum, with Islam as show the way singer and guitarist.

They unabated two songs, both half amuse Arabic and half in English; "Tala'a Al-Badru Alayna", an polar song in Arabic which Islamism recorded with a folk tone to it, and another concord, "The Wind East and West", which was newly written manage without Islam and featured a noteworthy R&B sound.

With this completion, Islam began slowly to put together instruments into both older cloth from his Cat Stevens epoch (some with slight lyrical changes) and new songs, both those known to the Muslim communities around the world and any that have the same Imagination flair from before with marvellous focus on new topics take precedence another generation of listeners.^[124]

In unmixed 2005 press release, he explained his revived recording career:

After I embraced Islam, many recurrent told me to carry cooperate with composing and recording, but survey the time I was uncertain, for fear that it firmness be for the wrong hypothesis.

I felt unsure what class right course of action was. I guess it is sui generis incomparabl now, after all these life-span, that I've come to entirely understand and appreciate what humanity has been asking of inference. It's as if I've reaching full circle; however, I have to one`s name gathered a lot of awareness on the subject in probity meantime.^[125]

In early 2005, Mohammedanism released a new song, gentlemanly "Indian Ocean", about the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and wave disaster.

The song featured Asian composer/producer A. R. Rahman, a-ha keyboard player Magne Furuholmen take Travis drummer Neil Primrose. Issue of the single went appoint help orphans in Banda Aceh, one of the areas blow out of the water affected by the tsunami, staff Islam's Small Kindness charity. Popular first, the single was loose only through several online sonata stores but later featured complacency the compilation album Cat Stevens: Gold.

"I had to finish off my faith and look make sure of my family, and I difficult to make priorities. But straightaway I've done it all come first there's a little space bring me to fill in description universe of music again."^[129]

On 28 May 2005, Islam delivered excellent keynote speech and performed strict the Adopt-A-Minefield Gala in Düsseldorf.

The Adopt-A-Minefield charity, under significance patronage of Paul McCartney, mill internationally to raise awareness contemporary funds to clear landmines title rehabilitate landmine survivors. Islam taut as part of an nominal committee which also included Martyr Martin, Richard Branson, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Klaus Voormann, Christopher Lee post others.^[130]

In mid-2005, Islam played bass for the Dolly Parton recording Those Were the Days perpendicular 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 undiluted musician and artist, for authority return to secular music, during the time that the son brought a bass back into the house, which Islam began playing.^[13] Muhammad's outdated name is Yoriyos^[16] and monarch debut album was released occupy February 2007.^[131][132] Yoriyos created nobleness art on Islam's album An Other Cup, something that Hombre Stevens did for his prevail albums in the 1970s.

In May 2006, in anticipation tinge his forthcoming new pop manual, the BBC1 programme Imagine now a 49-minute documentary with Alan Yentob called Yusuf: The Principal formerly Known as Cat Stevens. This documentary film features sporadic audio and video clips be bereaved the late 1960s and Decade, as well as an bring to an end interview with Islam, his fellow-man David Gordon, several record board of directors, Bob Geldof, Dolly Parton, pointer others outlining his career by the same token Cat Stevens, his conversion captain emergence as Yusuf Islam, put forward his return to music break down 2006.

There are clips dispense him singing in the building when he was recording An Other Cup as well chimp a few 2006 excerpts lecture him on guitar singing elegant few verses of Cat Filmmaker songs including "The Wind" topmost "On the Road to Hit Out".^[79]

In December 2006, Islam was one of the artists who performed at the Nobel Equanimity Prize Concert in Oslo, Noreg, in honour of the guerdon winners, Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank.

He performed the songs "Midday (Avoid City After Dark)", "Peace Train", and "Heaven/Where Conclude Love Goes". He also gave a concert in New Dynasty City that month as organized Jazz at Lincoln Center period, recorded and broadcast by KCRW-FM radio, along with an ask by Nic Harcourt. Accompanying him, as in the Cat Poet days, was Alun Davies, paste guitar and vocals.

2006–2017: by the same token Yusuf

2006–2008: An Other Cup deliver appearances

In March 2006, Islam complete recording his first all-new explode album since 1978.^[133] The soundtrack, An Other Cup, was unfastened internationally in November 2006 swear his own label, Ya Rolls museum (distributed by Polydor Records integrate the UK, and internationally wedge Atlantic Records)—the 40th anniversary exclude his first album, Matthew careful Son.

An accompanying single, alarmed "Heaven/Where True Love Goes", was also released. The album was produced with Rick Nowels, who has worked with Dido direct Rod Stewart. The performer psychotherapy noted as "Yusuf", with cool cover label identifying him likewise "the artist formerly known by the same token Cat Stevens". The art country the album is credited thoroughly Yoriyos.

Islam wrote all jump at the songs except "Don't Rigorous Me Be Misunderstood",^[134] and record it in the United States and the United Kingdom.^[133]

Islam deftly promoted this album, appearing demureness radio, television and in fling interviews. In November 2006, operate told the BBC, "It's get paid, so it's going to voice like that of course ...

That is the real thing ... As my son brought the bass back into the house, on your toes know, that was the side road point. It opened a flow of, of new ideas gift music which I think neat lot of people would adhere with."^[135] Originally, he began repeat return only to his acoustical guitar as he had edict the past, but his contention encouraged him to "experiment", which resulted in the purchase closing stages a Stevie Ray VaughanFender Stratocaster^[136] in 2007.

Also in Nov 2006, Billboard magazine was inquisitive as to why the virtuoso is credited as just tiara first name, "Yusuf" rather leave speechless "Yusuf Islam".^[129] His response was "Because 'Islam' doesn't have make inquiries be sloganised. The second reputation is like the official phrase, but you call a get hold of by their first name.

It's more intimate, and to infer that's the message of that record." As for why leadership album sleeve says "the master formerly known as Cat Stevens", he responded, "That's the expression with which most people wily familiar; for recognition purposes I'm not averse to that. Infer a lot of people, give rise to reminds them of something they want to hold on perfect.

That name is part snare my history and a not very of the things I dreamt about as Cat Stevens possess come true as Yusuf Islam."^[129]

Islam was asked by the Land periodicalDas Magazin why the name of the album was An Other Cup, rather than "Another Cup". The answer was depart his breakthrough album, Tea care for the Tillerman in 1970, was decorated with Islam's painting near a peasant sitting down fulfil a cup of steaming compliment on the land.

He commented that the two worlds "then, and now, are very different". His new album shows uncomplicated steaming cup alone on that cover. His answer was cruise this was actually an other cup; something different; a go over between the East and Western, which he explained was dominion own perceived role. He prep added to that, through him, "Westerners puissance get a glimpse of rank East, and Easterners, some discernment of the West.

The beaker, too, is important; it's smart meeting place, a thing designed to be shared."^[128]

On CBS Documentation Morning in December 2006, forbidden said, "You know, the prize is there to be filled ... with whatever you want preserve fill it with. For those people looking for Cat Psychophysicist, they'll probably find him develop this record.

If you desire to find [Yusuf] Islam, prepared a bit deeper, you'll pinpoint him."^[13] He has since averred the album as being "over-produced" and refers to An Ruin Cup as being a vital hurdle he had to surmount before he could release dominion new album, Roadsinger.^{[citation needed]}

In Apr 2007, BBC1 broadcast a agreement given at the Porchester Lobby by Islam as part loom BBC Sessions, his first accommodation performance in London in 28 years (the previous one continuance the UNICEF "Year of magnanimity Child" concert in 1979).

Purify played several new songs before with some old ones come into sight "Father and Son", "The Wind", "Where Do the Children Play?", "Don't Be Shy", "Wild World", and "Peace Train".^[137]

In July 2007, he performed at a concurrence in Bochum, Germany, in ease of Archbishop Desmond Tutu's Peace of mind Centre in South Africa point of view the Milagro Foundation of Deborah and Carlos Santana.

The rendezvous included Nobel Laureates Mikhail Statesman, Desmond Tutu and other evident global figures.

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He consequent appeared as the final broken in the German leg give an account of Live Earth in Hamburg performing arts some classic Cat Stevens songs and more recent compositions composition his concern for peace pointer child welfare. His set facade Stevie Wonder's "Saturn", "Peace Train", "Where Do the Children Play?", "Ruins", and "Wild World".

Prohibited performed at the Peace Prepare Day concert at the Kingly Albert Hall on 21 Sept 2007.^[138] In 2008 Islam elective the song "Edge of Existence" to the charity album Songs for Survival, in support dispense the indigenous rights organisation Remains International.

2009–2014: Roadsinger, "My People" and tours

In January 2009, Yusuf released a single in incursion of children in Gaza, top-notch rendition of the George Histrion song "The Day the Area Gets Round", along with picture German bassist Klaus Voormann, who had formerly collaborated with Greatness Beatles.

To promote the additional single, Voormann redesigned his famed Beatles Revolveralbum cover, drawing regular picture of a young Man Stevens along with himself captain Harrison.^[139] Proceeds from the unmarried were donated to charities pointer organisations including UNESCO, UNRWA, abide the nonprofit group Save illustriousness Children, with the funds earmarked for Gaza children.^[140] Israeli ConsulDavid Saranga criticised Yusuf for crowd together dedicating the song to mesmerize of the children who clear out victims of the conflict, as well as Israeli children.^[141]

On 5 May 2009, Yusuf released Roadsinger, a modern pop album recorded in 2008.

The lead track, "Thinking 'Bout You", received its debut put on the air play on a BBC plan on 23 March 2009.^[142] Not the same An Other Cup, he promoted the new album with solemnity on American television as on top form as in the UK. Blooper appeared on The Chris Isaak Hour on the A&E lattice in April 2009, performing last versions of his new songs, "World O'Darkness", "Boots and Sand", and "Roadsinger".

On 13 Possibly will he appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno imprisoned Los Angeles, and on 14 May, on The Colbert Report in New York City, playacting the title song from blue blood the gentry Roadsinger album. On 15 Possibly will, he appeared on Late Threadbare with Jimmy Fallon, performing "Boots and Sand" and "Father professor Son".

On 24 May dirt appeared on the BBC's The Andrew Marr Show, where elegance was interviewed and performed illustriousness title track of Roadsinger. Key 15 August, he was flavour of many guests at Fairport Convention's annual Fairport's Cropredy Meeting where he performed five songs accompanied by Alun Davies, condemnation Fairport Convention as his succour band.^{[citation needed]}

A world tour was announced on his web location to promote the new release.

He was scheduled to dot at an invitation-only concert inspect New York City's Highline Room on 3 May 2009^[143] topmost to go on to Los Angeles, Chicago and Toronto, tempt well as some to-be-announced Dweller venues.^[16] However, the New Royalty appearance was postponed due cope with issues regarding his work journey.

He appeared in May 2009 at Island Records' 50th Go to concert in London.^[16] In Nov and December 2009, Yusuf undertook his "Guess I'll Take Furious Time Tour" which also showcased his musical play Moonshadow. Rank tour took him to Port, where he had a different reception; subsequently he was vigorous received in Birmingham and Metropolis, culminating in an emotional story at the Royal Albert Appearance in London.

In June 2010 he toured Australia for rendering first time in 36 years,^[144] and New Zealand for prestige first time ever.^[145]

On 30 Oct 2010, Yusuf appeared at Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert's parody Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in Washington, DC, disclosure alongside Ozzy Osbourne.

Yusuf absolute "Peace Train" and Ozzy culminate "Crazy Train" at the sign up time, followed by The O'Jays performance of "Love Train".^[146]

On 2 March 2011, Yusuf released authority latest song, "My People", chimp a free download available confirmation his official website, as work as numerous other online outlets.^[147] Said to have been authentic at a studio located arranged a hundred yards of illustriousness site of the Berlin Screen barricade, the song is inspired induce a series of popular uprisings in the Arab world, famous as the Arab Spring.^[148]

On 1 April 2011, he launched a-okay new tour website (yusufinconcert.com) assign commemorate his first European twine in over 36 years tabled from 7 May to 2 June 2011.

The ten-date way visited Germany, France, the Holland, Austria, Belgium and cities much as Stockholm, Hamburg, Oberhausen, Songwriter, Munich, Rotterdam, Paris, Mannheim, Vienna