Musical chameleon: Folk-pop legend Yusuf/Cat Stevens turns 70
Musician Cat Stevens kicked off his career when he was 19 years old. Years later, he converted to Islam and called himself Yusuf Islam. His songs from the 70s are some of the classics of folk-pop.
Morning has broken
Cat Stevens catapulted to fame as a folk-pop poet in the 1970s. His soft voice and tender songs mesmerized late-blooming flower children well into the 1980s. Songs such as "Peace Train" are a trademark of the peace movement, while "My Lady D'Arbanville" and "Father And Son" are campfire classics. His songs on the soundtrack of cult film Harold and Maude also remain unforgettable.
Born again
By the late 70s, Cat Stevens was no longer performing his music. Converting to Islam in 1977, he soon changed his name "Yusuf Islam" and preached faith, not poetry. He stirred controversy, however, when he supposedly supported the fatwa against Salman Rushdie in 1989, saying in an interview that if Rushdie were to show up, he'd "try to call Ayatollah Khomeini and tell him where the man was."
Preacher of peace
He rejected that he was supporting the fatwa with that statement, but failed to completely stem the furor over his comment. The folk legend then began to preach the idea that Islam should be viewed as a peaceful religion. He got involved in aid projects in Kosovo and Iraq, but also in his home city of London. He founded various Muslim schools, including the Islamia primary school in 1983.
Back with old friends
In 2003, the first major music festival to raise awareness about AIDS/HIV took place in Cape Town as part of a campaign initiated by Nelson Mandela. Those involved included Mandela himself, Annie Lennox of the Eurythmics, Brian May of Queen and Yusuf, who had started playing the guitar again and no longer used his Muslim last name on stage.
A regular guest at festivals
The first folk-pop album to be released in 30 years was An Other Cup in 2006. It contained new songs, but also several of his hits from the classic Cat Stevens period that were reinterpreted. The cover version of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" spoke volumes. The Western world had its grip on him again. He also resumed playing festival tours and giving countless concerts.
Coming full circle
Six albums followed, the last one released in 2017. On The Laughing Apple, Yusuf is Cat Stevens again, though Cat Stevens is also still Yusuf. Critics were kind to him. One wrote: "He won't get any closer to his former self than this." He turns 70 on July 21. Happy Birthday, Yusuf/Cat Stevens!