Full Name: Steven Demetre Georgiou, now Yusuf Islam
Profession: Singer and songwriter
Biography: English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, humanitarian, and education philanthropist.
Born Steven Georgiou, he changed his name to Cat Stevens early on in his career and released his debut album "Matthew and Son" in 1967. Stevens' music became more folk rock and led to a series of successful albums with such worldwide hits such as "Wild World" "Peace Train" and "Moonshadow".
Steven converted to Islam in 1977 after a near-death experience, almost drowning off the coast of California. He changed his name to Yusuf Islam and gave up his musical career, concentrating on Muslim humanitarian and peace endeavors.
Stevens eventually returned to recording and performing in the 1990s. His first performance in English came in 2003 at Nelson Mandela's 46664 AIDS benefit concert alongside Peter Gabriel in Cape Town. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
Born: July 21, 1948
Birthplace: London, England
Age: 75 years old
Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Rat
Star Sign: Cancer
Married Life
- 1979-09-07 British singer-songwriter Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) (31) weds Pakastani Fouzia Ali at Kensington Mosque, in London, England
Historical Events
- 1970-11-23 A&M and Island Records release British folk-rock singer-songwriter Cat Stevens' fourth studio album "Tea for the Tillerman"; featuring singles "Wild World and "Father and Son"
- 1977-12-23 British singer-songwriter Cat Stevens formally converts to Islam, taking the name Yusuf Islam
- 2003-11-29 The first of Nelson Mandela's 46664 AIDS benefit concerts held at Green Point Stadium, Capetown
- 2007-07-07 Worldwide charity concert event "Live Earth" takes place at 12 venues on seven continents; performers include: Genesis, Keith Urban; Foo Fighters; John Legend; Melissa Etheridge; Dave Matthews Band; The Police; Roger Waters; Madonna; Alicia Keys; Garth Brooks; Crowded House; Jack Johnson; Shakira; Soweto Gospel Choir; Angélique Kidjo; UB40; Jack Johnson; Linkin Park; Rihanna; Pharrel Williams; Yusef Islam; Sarah Brightman; and Nunatak
- 2014-04-10 29th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees: Peter Gabriel; Hall & Oates; KISS; Nirvana; Linda Ronstadt; Cat Stevens; The E Street Band; Brian Epstein; and Andrew Loog Oldham
- 2023-06-23 Glastonbury Festival in Pilton, England opens: Arctic Monkeys, Guns 'n' Roses, and Elton John headline; other performers include Foo Fighters (in a surprise appearance), Rickie Lee Jones, Lizzo, Little Nas X, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp, Fred Again, and The War on Drugs
Kylie Minogue
Mel C
Sting
Bob Dylan
Shania Twain
Van Morrison