Yusuf / Cat Stevens

When it comes to the singer-songwriter now known as Yusuf / Cat Stevens, the story of his artistic and spiritual journey since the ‘60s may be just as remarkable as his most beloved songs. Born Steven Demetre Georgiou in 1948 in London, he was one of many music hopefuls inspired by The Beatles and only 17 when he wrote his first classic, “The First Cut Is the Deepest”, in 1965. The buzz over his performances in London coffeehouses under the stage name of Cat Stevens led to his 1967 debut, Matthew & Son. But his true breakthrough arrived with 1970’s Tea for the Tillerman, a warmhearted collection of songs that merged his flair for songcraft with ornate folk rock. Though his string of hits continued with songs like 1971’s “Peace Train”, his dissatisfaction with his life and his love of Islamic religious music inspired him to become a Muslim in 1977, change his name to Yusuf Islam and largely give up music for philanthropic pursuits. Over 25 years passed before he resumed his career in popular music with tours and albums such as 2017’s The Laughing Apple, his first since harmonising his two most famous names.