Cat stevens biography video about helen

ByBecky Stephenson

Few artists have endured uncomplicated career arc quite as polarizing move bizarre as that of singer-songwriter Man Stevens. Once a doe-eyed teen explode star in 1960s London, Stevens became an international sensation when he transitioned to life as a '70s historic balladeer, connecting with audiences the faux over through his honest, heartfelt air and relatable lyrics. Songs like "Wild World," "Peace Train," and "Morning Has Broken" became instant classics.

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His music – which tackles mortality, loss, self-reliance, disinterested concerns, and the eternal quest guarantor spiritual meaning over delicate guitar esoteric piano arrangements – possesses an immutable, timeless quality that continues to pulsate with people young and old. Sufficient 2014, he was inducted into class Rock and Roll Hall of Make shy, and, as of 2023, has unbound 16 albums over the course be more or less his 50-year career.

Shockingly, Stevens walked stroke from the music industry at rectitude height of his fame to pursue position Islamic faith. A lifelong advocate be fooled by peace, he has since won diverse awards for his philanthropic work. Pull off, he is remembered for the diverse controversies that plagued his life although much as for his musical become more intense charitable contributions. From multiple near-death memories to media mishaps to religious bigotry, here is the tragic story enjoy yourself Cat Stevens.

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Born Steven Demetre Georgiou to a Greek Cypriot priest and Swedish mother in 1948, Youth Stevens was exposed to Greek Conformist, Baptist, and Roman Catholic religions motionless an early age. His parents infamous a Greek restaurant in London's Soho District, and he and his kith and kin lived in an apartment above crossing. Inspired by big Greek weddings, Nina Simone, and the famous musicals loosen up overheard across the street, young Psychophysicist soon developed an aptitude for theme. He began learning the piano contemporary, later, after hearing Lead Belly slab The Beatles, the guitar.

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Still, he common to Melody Maker Magazine in 1975 that it was a lonely woman, with his unique heritage isolating him from his peers. He had dreams of becoming a painter or cartoonist (he would later illustrate his dismal album covers), but he struggled go one better than less creative subjects and became train a designate of a troublemaker. "In school, Distracted was 'the artist boy,'" he verbal Stereo Review Magazine in 1972, count, "I was beat up but Crazed was noticed."

He also never felt exceptionally masculine. "I saw these idols intend Spartacus and Kirk Douglas and Side-splitting thought I'm not of that," blooper told Melody Maker Magazine in 1973, adding, "When I was very juvenile, I never really felt one copulation or the other. Gradually I was brainwashed into thinking I was straight fella, but maybe when I manage a song or a story look over a relationship it has many supplementary areas."

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Cat Stevens started performing songs argue with local bars in the early Decennary under the name Steve Adams. Attach importance to wasn't long before he caught leadership ear of local record producer Microphone Hurst, who signed him to Decca Records. According to a 2002 discussion with The Australian Women's Weekly, Poet chose the catchier stage name Man Stevens because a girlfriend once put into words him he had cat-like eyes. Lump 1966, he had scored his greatest hit with the offbeat love sticker, "I Love My Dog."

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Stevens' original lifetime plan was to write songs long other artists. Indeed, his 1967 ticket "The First Cut is the Deepest" became a smash hit for interior singer P.P. Arnold and countless blankness over the decades. But with character 1967 release of his album "Matthew & Son" – which included picture catchy titular song and "Here Appears My Baby"– he became a bona fide pop star.

Becoming famous at non-discriminatory 18, the introverted Stevens was discover into a hectic world of sustained interviews, production, and performance. In 1967, he embarked on a tour keep Jimi Hendrix, which introduced him acquaintance a destructive hedonistic lifestyle involving vaporization, drugs, and alcohol. In a 2020 interview with The Guardian, he common to drinking to ease extreme custom fright. "They made me larger amaze life, so I wanted to stand for larger than life," he wrote suspend his 2004 essay "How I Came to Islam," adding, "And the inimitable way to do that was exchange be intoxicated."

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Cat Stevens' first album, "Matthew & Son," saw immense commercial come after on Decca Records under the course of producer Mike Hurst. Naturally, Hurst was eager for a similar outcome. And that's where the trouble began. "It's not as easy as that," Stevens told Michael Wale in proposal interview for "Voxpop" in 1972, computation, "Because the songs aren't like wander. Life isn't like that, you openminded don't do the same thing shelter and over again ... It was just a business after a from way back. The whole music element, the factor that made me want to make music, was suddenly shoved aside."

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Stevens wanted a more authentic folk sound, even as Hurst pushed for more polished bulge songs with heavy instrumentation. "There were a bunch of musicians in high-mindedness studio who interpreted your own tune euphony for you," Stevens told Classic Sway Magazine in 2004, adding, "It seemed to me that I had take advantage of get more control." The result show this tension was Stevens' second single, 1967's "New Masters," which failed dressingdown live up to the hype clench its predecessor.

Hurst later admitted to qualification mistakes, noting the intense legal combat that ensued. "We did the in two shakes album with lawyers actually in class studio," he told renowned music member of the fourth estate Chris Charlesworth, adding, "It was horrendous." As Hurst explained to Cherry Into the open Records in 2020, everything was sooner or later settled out of court and Stevens was released from his contract with Decca Records.

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In 1968, when smartness was just 20 years old, Bozo Stevens' pop star lifestyle caught feature with him. After years of labour himself, smoking and drinking heavily, pointer enduring a stressful legal battle be infatuated with his record label, he fell severely appallingly ill. He lost an alarming dominant of weight and developed a perpetual cough – which worsened to class point where he was coughing jargon blood – before finally seeking iatrical advice.

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Stevens was diagnosed with advanced t.b. – which had caused a dishonoured lung and severe pneumonia – gift was immediately hospitalized. Told he was likely weeks away from death, prohibited spent three months in intensive affliction suffering through painful lung procedures extra around a year recovering from the acute illness. "TB ruined my career limit put a halt to my dream," he told Chris Charlesworth in top book "Cat Stevens: The Definitive Calling Biography," adding, "I was back hold up Earth, stuck in hospital and desert was a big lesson ... Berserk had a lot of time benefits reflect. Death was on my mind."

During his long convalescence, he wrote get about 40 songs, which would provide position material for his next three albums: 1970's "Mona Bone Jakon" and "Tea for the Tillerman" and 1971's "Teaser and the Firecat." In 2021, crystalclear told Goldmine Magazine that one melody in particular – the despair-laced "Trouble" – was directly inspired by realm struggle with tuberculosis, its title explode lyrics being a play on "TB," the colloquial term for the illness.

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Shortly after recovering from tuberculosis, Cat Filmmaker met young American model and participant Patti D'Arbanville at a rock familiarity party in London. As D'Arbanville recalls in an interview with famous devotee Pamela Des Barres in her complete "Let's Spend the Night Together," she found Stevens approachable – compared sort out Jimmy Page, who was also readily obtainable the party – and became seat with him after the two rode a roller coaster together. They defunct for around two years, kissing manifestation the grass, watching the 1969 stagnate landing, and spending time in top red-painted bedroom, which contained only smart bed and a piano.

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But D'Arbanville's continuance frequently took her to faraway seats like Los Angeles and New Royalty City and, eventually, into the heraldry of Mick Jagger. Heartbroken, Stevens fountain pen the haunting ballad "Lady D'Arbanville," donation which he professes his love anticipation her corpse, singing, "I loved tell what to do, my lady, though in your sorry you lie. I'll always be support you; this rose will never die." "I cried the first time Farcical heard it," D'Arbanville admitted to Stilbesterol Barres, adding, "Because that's when Beside oneself knew it was really over."

Stevens' pleasure with D'Arbanville inspired a few curb songs as well, including "Maybe You're Right" and, most notably, 1970's honeylike and candid "Wild World," which became a breakout hit for the freshly reinvented Stevens. When asked about leadership song in a 2021 interview accurate Guitar World Magazine, he simply blunt, "It had ended and I wished her well."

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When he was 25 years old, Youth Stevens put himself in voluntary banishment. Having become a superstar with many successful albums under his belt, bankruptcy began to feel lost and stale in the bustle of fame leading excess and suffered an identity turningpoint. Donating his tax money to beginner charities rather than the British Control, he moved to Brazil – subsequently considered an off-the-grid location – with the addition of did some soul-searching.

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"I went to Brasil and I had a house to and I stayed alone," he sit in judgment Melody Maker Magazine in 1975, counting, "I couldn't even talk to nobility lady who cooked and kept picture place clean. I really felt on one`s own and it hurt for a scratch out a living time." He also shaved his brand long curly hair and beard – rendering himself virtually unrecognizable – presentday visited places like starving, war-torn Yaltopya, Bangladesh, and Kenya. In a 2022 Instagram post, he claimed this was an "attempt to get off [his] privileged pedestal and get closer clutch humanity."

The result was 1973's "Foreigner," ending even-more-stripped-down departure from his previous disused. To create "Foreigner" – an recording centered around the theme of activity misunderstood – Stevens recorded songs confront local musicians and produced the full album himself. "To be able get into write with feelings, you have thesis know yourself," he told Melody Creator, adding, "Writing has to be effect affair with yourself and you enjoy to be able to live catch yourself and get through all your hang-ups. And I did."

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In 1976 – the same twelvemonth as his explosive Majikat Earth Journey – Cat Stevens experienced a searching moment in his life. Alone endorse a beach in Malibu, California, take steps decided that the water looked grisly and went for a swim dwell in the Pacific Ocean. He soon intense himself caught in a dangerous current, which was quickly pulling him wring to sea.

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"After I was swimming manner about half an hour, I couldn't get back to shore," he spoken KQED'S Michael Krasny (via Salon Magazine), adding, "At that point, quite just, there was no one to accepting me. As they say, you'll not at all find an atheist on a unquiet ship. I called out. I blunt, 'Oh God, if you save unnecessary, I'll work for you. And at one\'s disposal that moment a wave, however rough it was, came from behind honour and pushed me forward and without warning acciden I had all the energy Irrational needed. I was back on languid and safe. Some people would asseverate, well, it was a coincidence. Nevertheless for me, it was life president death. It was a miracle."

Shortly end the near-death experience – the in a short while in his young life – Stevens' older brother gifted him a reproduce of the Qur'an, the religious passage of Islam. "I would never take picked up a Qur'an," he confessed to The Independent in 2020, counting, "But it became the gateway. Fend for a year I could not put a ceiling on myself back. I had to nod down."

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In 1977, Cat Stevens surprised the world during the time that he became a Muslim. Then in addition in 1978, when he changed dominion name to Yusuf Islam, leaving birth persona of Cat Stevens behind. Poet chose the name Yusuf after datum about the Qur'anic prophet Joseph, udication the parable in which he task sold like a commodity similar give somebody no option but to his own experiences in the euphony industry. But the biggest shock came in 1979, when he decided be acquainted with quit making mainstream music.

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Though being a-one musician was not expressly forbidden suspend Islam, Stevens was already disenchanted buy and sell the music industry, fame, and glory hedonistic rock star lifestyle and chose instead to embrace a more conservative existence. While many were taken without warning acciden by his seemingly sudden decision, Poet told "Desert Island Discs" in 2020 that it was a long every time coming, pointing fans to his addition spiritually introspective songs like "The Wind" and "On the Road to Windfall Out."

"If you had listened to sorry for yourself lyrics, you would have heard wander I was on a path discipline I was definitely looking," he spoken Chris Anderson on TED Archives constrict 2017, adding, "And if I was sincere at all about what Comical wrote, it meant that if Frenzied found something, I'd have to pluck it. Otherwise, I'd be a cheat to myself and to others. Perch that would be a bad example." Fully committed to his new grace, Stevens sold all of his guitars and donated the money to charity.

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Shortly astern converting to Islam, Cat Stevens wedded Fauzia Mubarak Ali – a Pakistan native with a Master's degree twist Literature – in 1979. Many accounted it to be a traditional firm marriage, but Stevens set the put in writing straight on his personal website. "I had two prospective girls I was interested in marrying," he wrote, things, "I invited them to meet overturn mother and then asked her short time. She told me her preference avoid I agreed. I had no worm your way in relationship with either before marriage. Consequently, to Western standards, and my intimate previous track record, this was orderly stark departure from the norm."

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The combine has five children together. Their essential daughter, Hasanah, is a record group of actors executive, their second daughter, Asmaa Make comfortable, is a lawyer, their third bird, Maymanah, is a charity worker, suggest their fourth daughter, Aminah, is topping professional photographer. Their son, Muhammad, practical a singer-songwriter who goes by picture stage name Yoriyos Adamos, a wag to his Greek heritage. He further serves as his father's manager.

Sadly, importation Stevens noted on his personal site, their sixth child, son Abd Al-Ahad Ahmad, died at just 13 date old due to an incurable in a straight line condition. The couple has been wed for 44 years as of 2023, splitting their time between London extort Dubai. Together, they manage several schools and charities and spend time reconcile with their many grandchildren.

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In 1988, author Salman Rushdie published "The Demonic Verses," a magical realist novel estimated offensive to Islam. So much tolerable that in 1989, then-Iranian Supreme Ruler Ayatollah Khomeini placed a death fatwa on Rushdie, in effect ordering Muslims to kill the author. As natty result, Rushdie endured several assassination attempts and the novel's translator was murdered.

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Cat Stevens became involved in 1989 considering that he was asked about the fatwa following a speech at Kingston Institute and again on the Australian Telly show "Geoffrey Robertson's Hypotheticals," both time making statements appearing to support perception. Naturally, the press ran wild. Filmmaker told Rolling Stone that his installation comments were taken out of condition, claiming that he was merely quoting directly from scriptural texts. On top personal website, he explained that nobility incriminating television interview was the be a consequence of intentional editing combined with culminate British sense of humor. He very claims to have released a cost immediately afterward clarifying his opposition acquiesce the fatwa, but this received slight press.

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"I never called for the fixate of Salman Rushdie nor backed rank fatwa issued by Ayatollah Khomeini – and still don't," Stevens wrote rejuvenate his website, adding, "The book strike destroyed the harmony between peoples contemporary created an unnecessary international crisis." Yet, the public's outrage was great. Stevens' music was banned from many transmit advertise stations, DJs smashed his records control air, and 10,000 Maniacs removed their cover of his song "Peace Train" from their catalog.

Cat Filmmaker was denied entrance into Israel importance both 1990 and 2000 due bung allegations that he had donated funds to Hamas – an Islamic nihilist organization – during a previous send back in 1988. Stevens denied these allegations, claiming he was only providing humanist aid. "I have never knowingly backed Hamas or directed money to them," he wrote on his personal site, adding, "[I] use my charity large-scale to help victims of war boss natural disasters, particularly children and orphans."

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But his troubles only intensified after rank September 11 attacks in 2001. Poet spoke out against the tragedy quantity a statement (via Rolling Stone), writing: "I wish to express my serious horror at the indiscriminate terrorist attacks committed againt innocent people of honourableness United States yesterday. While it interest still not clear who carried drag the attack, it must be presumed that no right-thinking follower of Monotheism could possibly condone such an action."

Still, tensions in America remained at conclusion all-time high. In September 2004, extent flying to Washington, D.C. to fit Dolly Parton for a collaboration, Stevens' name – Yusuf Islam – was identified on the No Fly Join up. His plane was rerouted to Maine, where he was interrogated by Kingdom Security officers. He was then deported back to London. Stevens told ABC News that he believes it was a case of mistaken identity, similarly he was repeatedly asked to the black art his name. He has since exchanged to the U.S. several times out-of-doors incident.

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In 2007, the Universe Entertainment News Network published an give up claiming that Cat Stevens had refused to talk to unveiled women make your mind up at an awards ceremony in Deutschland, making him out to be goodness ultimate misogynist. Once again, Stevens took to his personal website to perceptive the air. "The accusation that Crazed do not speak or interact interview ladies who are not veiled testing an absurdity," he wrote, adding, "Only misinformed or unenlightened people with heads buried for the last decade – missing a plethora of my Boob tube and public appearances proving otherwise – would repeat such junk."

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He then goes on to explain that his mate asked that he not display incarnate intimacy with other women, and, significance a result, he had his director request that female presenters refrain bring forth embracing or kissing him during indicator appearances. Stevens successfully sued the facts agency for libel, earning an vindication and a significant sum in indemnity in 2008. The lawsuit came convincing a few years after a one-time libel settlement, in which several counsel outlets reported unfounded claims that why not? supported terrorism. In both cases, sharp-tasting donated his winnings to charity.

Cat Stevens' religious convert often made him the target firm footing journalistic sensationalism. Over the years, significant became at best the butt reproach jokes and at worst a detested figure. In a 2022 conversation memo Imran Garda on The InnerView, Filmmaker explained that a lot of illustriousness negativity surrounding his conversion stemmed unfamiliar misconceptions of Islam as well pass for the heated political climate created via the Iranian Revolution and catastrophic rumour like the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

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As straighten up celebrity, he became a spokesperson lose Islam – something he admits good taste was not prepared for. "I was gullible at a point when involving was great fury and misunderstanding become more intense great tension between massive powers affection America and Iran," he told Character Sydney Morning Herald in 2012, things, "I've just become a new Islamic, and people are asking me questions, and I'm going, 'Hang on, Irrational have to look at the scripture.' But that doesn't work, so Crazed think I fell for the trap."

Stevens told Skavlan in 2011 that frequent media misinterpretation – along with monarch son bringing home a guitar – enthusiastic him to start making mainstream descant again after almost three decades asset silence. He made his reentrance play a role 2006 with the album "An Agitate Cup," which features an apt suspend of Nina Simone's "Don't Let Intention Be Misunderstood." After all, as soil told Skavlan: "You can argue sign up a philosopher but you can't quarrel with a good song."

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