Cat Stevens Biography

Cat Stevens, Musician
Occup.Musician
FromUnited Kingdom
BornJuly 21, 1948
Age75 years
Cat Stevens, birthed Steven Demetre Georgiou on July 21, 1948, in London, United Kingdom, is a British musician, singer-songwriter, as well as philanthropist. A popular number in the folk-rock genre during the 1960s and also 1970s, he created numerous hit tunes as well as cds, later transforming to Islam as well as adopting the name Yusuf Islam in 1977. In recent times he has gone back to music, launching a collection of popular albums under the name Yusuf/Cat Stevens.

Early Life and Education
Steven Georgiou was born to a Greek Cypriot daddy, Stavros Georgiou, as well as a Swedish mother, Ingrid Wickman. He matured in the culturally varied neighborhood of Soho, where his parents ran the Moulin Rouge, a prominent restaurant. Exposed to a selection of music impacts from a young age, he occupied the piano at age 6 as well as later on learned to play the guitar.

Georgiou attended numerous art institutions before committing to a music occupation. His choice was influenced by his older brother, David Gordon, that was enthusiastic concerning songs and would certainly offer his bro with documents by artists like Bob Dylan, the Beatles, and also Nina Simone.

Early Music Career
In 1966, at the age of 18, Georgiou started executing under the phase name Cat Stevens, which he supposedly picked due to the fact that a partner at the time told him he had the eyes of a cat. He soon stood out with his one-of-a-kind singing design as well as introspective lyrics. That same year, he signed a publishing take care of Ardmore & Beechwood as well as a recording contract with producer Mike Hurst.

Cat Stevens' first album, "Matthew and also Son", was released in 1967 and also attained immediate success. The title track as well as the solitary "I Love My Dog" both got to the UK graphes. A second album, "New Masters", was released in December 1967 however stopped working to achieve the very same level of success.

In 1969, after recovering from a major round of consumption and also costs a number of months in convalescence, Stevens re-emerged with a more mature noise and also a newly found dedication to spirituality. He signed with Island Records and started working together with producer Paul Samwell-Smith, resulting in the cd "Mona Bone Jakon" (1970). This would certainly note the start of Cat Stevens' most prolific and effective period.

Industrial Success
Throughout the 1970s, Cat Stevens generated a string of albums that would concern specify his occupation. In 1971, he launched "Tea for the Tillerman", that included the hit tracks "Wild World" as well as "Father and Son". This is pertained to by numerous doubters to be his finest album as well as accomplished multi-platinum status.

In fast succession came "Teaser and the Firecat" (1971), which featured the classics "Morning Has Broken" and also "Peace Train", followed by "Catch Bull at Four" (1972), which covered the United States graphes, and also "Foreigner" (1973), which included the hit "The Hurt".

Conversion to Islam and Philanthropy
In 1976, Cat Stevens virtually sank while swimming off the coast of Malibu, California. He attributes his survival to magnificent treatment as well as started a spiritual trip-- one that culminated in his conversion to Islam in 1977. Subsequently, he changed his name to Yusuf Islam as well as relinquished the popular song service, concentrating on philanthropy and education in the Muslim area.

During his time away from the music sector, Yusuf founded numerous institutions, introduced an Islamic record tag, and came to be a forthright supporter for numerous philanthropic causes. He was awarded the "World Social Award" in 2003 and also the "Man of Peace" award by the Nobel Peace Prize laureates in 2004.

Return to Music
In 2006, greater than 25 years after stepping far from the limelight, Yusuf went back to songs under the name Yusuf/Cat Stevens, releasing the cd "An Other Cup". The cd received positive evaluations, with several doubters applauding his go back to a more folk-rock noise.

Ever since, he has actually released a number of more albums and returned to the visiting scene. In 2014, Cat Stevens was inducted right into the Rock as well as Roll Hall of Fame, validating his long-lasting impact as well as relevance within the songs market.

Personal Life
Yusuf has been wed to his wife Fauzia Mubarak Ali considering that 1979, and also they have 5 children with each other. While he will always be known for his significant payments to the world of songs, Yusuf Islam's dedication to education and learning, philanthropy, as well as interfaith understanding remains equally significant. Today, Cat Stevens continues to leave an indelible mark on the songs market and also inspire a new generation of fans with his classic tunes as well as provocative verses.

Our collection contains 41 quotes who is written / told by Cat.

Related authors: Nina Simone (Musician), Jim Capaldi (Musician), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete), Bob Dylan (Musician)

Discography:
Source / external links:

41 Famous quotes by Cat Stevens

Small: I suppose that the media and their portrayal of Islam and the almost tribal separations and divisions o
"I suppose that the media and their portrayal of Islam and the almost tribal separations and divisions of the Muslims are the greatest issues confronting Muslims in the United Kingdom"
Small: I looked at some of the statues of Jesus they were just stones with no life. When they said that God is
"I looked at some of the statues of Jesus; they were just stones with no life. When they said that God is three, I was puzzled even more but could not argue. I believed it, simply because I had to have respect for the faith of my parents"
Small: I found a religion that blended scientific reason with spiritual reality in a unifying faith far remove
"I found a religion that blended scientific reason with spiritual reality in a unifying faith far removed from the headlines of violence, destruction and terrorism"
Small: I did not come into contact with any Muslim before I embraced Islam. I read the Quran first and realize
"I did not come into contact with any Muslim before I embraced Islam. I read the Qur'an first and realized no person is perfect, Islam is perfect, and if we imitate the conduct of the Holy Prophet... we will be successful"
Small: I became very famous, as a teenager, and my name and photo were splashed in all the media. They made me
"I became very famous, as a teenager, and my name and photo were splashed in all the media. They made me larger than life, so I wanted to live larger than life, and the only way to do that was to be intoxicated"
Small: I became alienated from this religious upbringing, and started making music. I wanted to be a big star.
"I became alienated from this religious upbringing, and started making music. I wanted to be a big star. All those things I saw in the films and on the media took hold of me, and perhaps I thought this was my god: the goal of making money"
Small: I am confident that, in the end, common sense and justice will prevail. Im an optimist, brought up on t
"I am confident that, in the end, common sense and justice will prevail. I'm an optimist, brought up on the belief that if you wait to the end of the story, you get to see the good people live happily ever after"
Small: I always knew looking back on my tears would bring me laughter, but I never knew looking back on my lau
"I always knew looking back on my tears would bring me laughter, but I never knew looking back on my laughter would make me cry"
Small: Everything I do is for the pleasure of Allah
"Everything I do is for the pleasure of Allah"
Small: Ever since I became a Muslim, Ive had to deal with attempts to damage my reputation and countless insin
"Ever since I became a Muslim, I've had to deal with attempts to damage my reputation and countless insinuations seeking to cast doubt on my character and trying to connect me to causes which I do not subscribe to"
Small: Communal well-being is central to human life
"Communal well-being is central to human life"
Small: Because I dont play guitar any more, African harmonies and rhythms have been an inspiration to me. I lo
"Because I don't play guitar any more, African harmonies and rhythms have been an inspiration to me. I love the raw origin of the sound. It complements my voice and words naturally"
Small: All things can be forgiven if we can progress
"All things can be forgiven if we can progress"
Small: A person who steals bread during a famine is not treated as a thief
"A person who steals bread during a famine is not treated as a thief"
Small: There was no division I could see between the essential teaching of all Prophets and wise men of religi
"There was no division I could see between the essential teaching of all Prophets and wise men of religion"
Small: The very first lesson that I learnt from the Quran was the message of unity and peace
"The very first lesson that I learnt from the Qur'an was the message of unity and peace"
Small: The greatest legacy is that which benefits the widest number of people for the longest period without l
"The greatest legacy is that which benefits the widest number of people for the longest period without limit to value. No one but the Prophet Muhammad was given that role as the seal of God's message"
Small: The latest horror to hit the U.S. looks to have been caused by people of Middle Eastern origin, bearing
"The latest horror to hit the U.S. looks to have been caused by people of Middle Eastern origin, bearing Muslim names. Again, shame. This fuels more hatred for a religion and a people who have nothing to do with these events"
Small: Some extremists take elements of the sacred scriptures out of context
"Some extremists take elements of the sacred scriptures out of context"
Small: The words of the songs speak for themselves
"The words of the songs speak for themselves"
Small: When many astronauts go to space, they see the insignificant size of the earth and vastness of space, a
"When many astronauts go to space, they see the insignificant size of the earth and vastness of space, and they become very religious, because they have seen the Signs of Allah"
Small: Violence is almost an everyday occurrence in some Muslim lands: it should not be exacerbated by revenge
"Violence is almost an everyday occurrence in some Muslim lands: it should not be exacerbated by revenge attacks on more innocent families and communities"
Small: To be what you want to be, you must give up being what you are
"To be what you want to be, you must give up being what you are"
Small: Though times have changed, its a nice surprise to see that youthful feeling of anti-war sentiment retur
"Though times have changed, it's a nice surprise to see that youthful feeling of anti-war sentiment returning once more to the cobbled main streets of Europe"
Small: This is the beauty of the Quran: it asks you to reflect and reason, and not to worship the sun or moon
"This is the beauty of the Qur'an: it asks you to reflect and reason, and not to worship the sun or moon but the One who has created everything. The Qur'an asks man to reflect upon the sun and moon and God's creation in general"
Small: Salman Rushdie, indeed any writer who abuses the prophet or indeed any prophet under Islamic law, the s
"Salman Rushdie, indeed any writer who abuses the prophet or indeed any prophet under Islamic law, the sentence for that is actually death"
Small: Peace Train is a song I wrote, the message of which continues to breeze thunderously through the hearts
"Peace Train is a song I wrote, the message of which continues to breeze thunderously through the hearts of millions of human beings"
Small: Music is part of Gods universe
"Music is part of God's universe"
Small: Music is a lady that I still love because she gives me the air that I breathe. We need all sorts of nou
"Music is a lady that I still love because she gives me the air that I breathe. We need all sorts of nourishment. And music satisfies and nourishes the hunger within ourselves for connection and harmony"
Small: Moderation is part of faith, so those who accuse Muslim schools of fostering fanaticism should learn a
"Moderation is part of faith, so those who accuse Muslim schools of fostering fanaticism should learn a bit more about Islam"
Small: Man is created to be Gods deputy on earth and it is important to realize the obligation to rid ourselve
"Man is created to be God's deputy on earth and it is important to realize the obligation to rid ourselves of all illusions and to make our lives a preparation for the next life"
Small: Its very difficult to ignore humanitarian disasters. The royalties from my albums continue to support m
"It's very difficult to ignore humanitarian disasters. The royalties from my albums continue to support my charity work"
Small: It was important for me to duck out of the fast and furious life Id been living as a pop star. I was in
"It was important for me to duck out of the fast and furious life I'd been living as a pop star. I was in a different mood"
Small: It is part of my faith as a Muslim to try to help those who are suffering from poverty or economic or p
"It is part of my faith as a Muslim to try to help those who are suffering from poverty or economic or political injustice"
Small: In those days a concert was a personal experience. I wanted to be as close as possible to the audience,
"In those days a concert was a personal experience. I wanted to be as close as possible to the audience, and of course big stadiums didn't enable you to do that. It wasn't my style"
Small: In the early days I had a very black-and-white view of everything
"In the early days I had a very black-and-white view of everything"
Small: In a World where people are surrounded by darkness, ignorance and fear, it is a sign of hope to be cele
"In a World where people are surrounded by darkness, ignorance and fear, it is a sign of hope to be celebrating Islam's message of peace and light, and the last great Messenger, born and chosen to deliver them to all mankind"
Small: If you want to sing out, sing out, and if you want to be free, be free, cause theres a million ways to
"If you want to sing out, sing out, and if you want to be free, be free, cause there's a million ways to be, you know that there are"
Small: Ive studied various schools of thought... I acknowledge that some Muslims consider music prohibited, bu
"I've studied various schools of thought... I acknowledge that some Muslims consider music prohibited, but I've found a lot of evidence from the life of the Prophet to show that he allowed certainly, but even encouraged, music at certain times"
Small: Ive returned to being an amateur without any ties or strings attached, which gives me a freedom I never
"I've returned to being an amateur without any ties or strings attached, which gives me a freedom I never had before"
Small: I was brought up in the modern world of all the luxury and the highlight of show business. I was born i
"I was brought up in the modern world of all the luxury and the highlight of show business. I was born into a Christian home"