I think he's a great singer/songwriter, extremely underrated.
2007-10-10 11:43:24 · 18 answers · asked by b n r 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Performing Arts
He was an excellent singer/songwriter. But as with many geat artists he was tormented by mental instability compounded by drug use. He had a psychotic break in the late 70's and bounced from one religeon to another before sticking with one that was repressive enough, denouncing his past life as a happy, free, partying rock star. He changed his name to Yusuf Islam and converted to islam.
He has been on the public spotlight for making comments that supported the fatwa against Salman Rushdie, calling for his death. He also has been believed to give large amounts of money to terrorist orginizations and terrorist supported schools.
2007-10-10 12:00:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
He's now knows as "Yussef Islam", and was recently deported when he landed in the U.S., for political reasons, if I'm not mistaken.
I saw him in concert in Tucson, Arizona many years ago.
He came onstage in a bit of a tizzy because the crowd booed his warmup act, Rambling Jack Elliot (not a good choice for Cat Stevens fans). Then, while Stevens was playing on the electric piano, which faced the audience, he suddenly stopped, pointed at some guy in the front row and hollered "F*** OFF!".
The band restarted playing the song after a short pause, and at the end of the song he apologized and explained that some guy in the front row was "clapping out of time". Then he added "If he makes love like he claps, I pity him!"
The concert was great, nonetheless, and yes, it's unfortunate that religion poisoned his musicianship.
To quote Chistopher Hitchens, "Religion poisons everything"
2007-10-10 12:02:40 · answer #2 · answered by HyperDog 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah I heard of him I like singer songwriters like Cat Stevens and Jim Croce.
2007-10-10 11:47:36 · answer #3 · answered by Bobby Cow 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He had several really big hits in the seventies:
Wild World
Peace Train
Bitterblue
Father and Son
Morning has broken
Here's a video of Father and Son )Just a great song):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jek6iP6AuAQ
Cat Steven converted to the Islam religion and changed his name Yusuf Islam. Shortly after 9/11 he tried to return to the U.S. and was denied a visa.
2007-10-10 12:01:02 · answer #4 · answered by livemoreamply 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wild World is a good one. Used to like some of the others on greatest hits.
2007-10-10 11:46:28 · answer #5 · answered by The Instigator 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. I saw him in concert in 1971 and he was great. I have most ( maybe all ) of his albums and the only two worth listening to are " Tea for the Tillerman " and " Teaser and the Firecat ". They are truly great albums.
2007-10-10 16:49:45 · answer #6 · answered by jughead 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
he's underrated because he converted to Islam, I also think he is a great singer and in my opinion people should no be judged with what religion they believe in..
2007-10-10 11:46:45 · answer #7 · answered by frontstreetboy2004 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes. From the 70s isnt he?
2007-10-10 11:46:33 · answer #8 · answered by Renesme 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was wonderful. I'm sure he still is, but he's a jerk for disowning some of his most beautiful work because it no longer supported his new faith, Islam.
2007-10-10 11:47:05 · answer #9 · answered by Stormy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think he calls himself Yusaf Islam nowadays.
2007-10-10 13:20:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋