Cat Stevens was born Steven Demetre Georgiou on 21 July 1948 in London. His two earliest albums Tea for the Tillerman and Teaser and the Firecat went triple platinum in the USA and his next album Catch Bull at Four sold 500,000 copies in the first two weeks of its release.
At the height of his fame, in 1977, Cat Stevens converted to Islam and concurrently adopted the name of Yusuf Islam. In the next couple of years he auctioned away all of his guitars for charity and abandoned his music to attend to educational and philanthropic causes in the Muslim community.
In 1969 he came close to dying of tuberculosis, and as a result he began investigating other religions, took up yoga and meditation and became a vegetarian. During this time he wrote about 40 songs, most of which would be published later.
A further experience that changed his outlook on life and music was in 1976, when he nearly drowned off the coast of California. Feeling as though all was lost he cried out "God, if you save me I will work for you!" Shortly after, a wave came and drew him to shore thus saving his life. His brother bought him a copy of the Qu'ran for his birthday after a trip for Jerusalem.
Cat Stevens was in Australia earlier this year in June 2010 for the first time in 30 years. To see him play the first song he ever released, "I love my dog" please click the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWT2qHVftGk&feature=related
Referencing:
Information from www.wikipedia.com/catstevens
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