Yusuf Islam

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

YUSUF ISLAM
(formerly Cat Stevens)

Born Steven Demetre Georgiou, the son of a Greek Cypriot father and Swedish mother, Yusuf Islam grew up above the family shop in London's theatre district, situated at the northernmost junction of Shaftesbury Avenue and New Oxford Street, near the heart of London's West End.

While studying at Art College he was auditioned by a record producer, Mike Hurst, formerly of the pop-folk trio the Springfields. The resulting tracks impressed the Decca Record chief so much that the young artist – now known as Cat Stevens – was selected to launch the new Deram Label, which also signed new British talent such as David Bowie and the Moody Blues.

Stevens went on to write and record a memorable string of hits, including Here Comes My Baby, The First Cut Is the Deepest and Matthew & Son, which singled him out as one of the most prolific new songwriters of the 60's.

Early in his career he contracted TB and came face to face with his own mortality; this sparked his earnest search for peace and a broader understanding of metaphysical issues. While recovering, Yusuf underwent a spiritual search and began studying Eastern religions.

Following this he landed a new deal with Island Records and began recording new more personal, introspective material. The new decade brought new albums such as Mona Bone Jackson, Teaser and the Firecat and Tea for Tillerman, which were classics of their genre and launched him onto the international stage. He was one of the most enigmatic artists of the 1970s, with a string of best selling albums which virtually defined the concept of the sensitive songwriter. Stevens's reflective and often highly personal songs connected with a huge audience and made him a superstar. Wild World, Father & Son, Peace Train, and Moonshadow went on to sell millions. Stevens was hailed as one of the most important figures in the currently popular folk-rock singer-songwriter trend.

Despite his success, Stevens was still on a spiritual search. After almost drowning in the Pacific Ocean at Malibu he received a translation of the Qur'an as a gift from his elder brother, David. His spiritual quest for answers was fulfilled and he embraced Islam in December, 1977. Six months later he changed his name to Yusuf Islam, walked away from the music business to start a new life.

Today, Yusuf Islam is arguably one of the world's most famous converts to Islam. In 2003 Yusuf Islam was awarded the 'World Social Award' for his humanitarian relief work. Previous recipients of this award include Pope John Paul II, Steven Spielberg, and Sir Paul McCartney. More recently, in November 2004, he was honored with the 'Man for Peace' award by a committee of Nobel peace laureates and this year will be receiving an honorary doctorate for his work in education in the UK.

His U.N.-registered charity, Small Kindness, provides humanitarian relief, through direct aid as well as social and educational programs, to orphans and families in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Indonesia and other regions of the world. Yusuf Islam is soon to release a Rick Nowels produced album of new songs, his first for almost 30 years. The release will coincidentally be at the same time as the 40th anniversary of the first Cat Stevens' record, I Love My Dog (Deram November 1966).

Yusuf Islam says "Today there are perhaps one hundred and one good reasons why I feel right making music and singing about life in this fragile world again."

For further information, please visit: www.yusufislam.org.uk

TOP