Cat Stevens, aka Yusuf Islam, turns 78

musicJul 21, 202624528

Singer-songwriter Cat Stevens, born Steven Demetre Georgiou on July 21, 1948, in Marylebone, London, turned 78. The artist who later adopted the name Yusuf Islam rose to 1970s prominence with songs such as "Moonshadow," "Peace Train," and the popular rendition of "Morning Has Broken." Stevens grew up above his parents' Moulin Rouge café on Shaftesbury Avenue and drew on a mix of Greek, Swedish, West End, and rock influences as he learned piano and guitar. His 1971 album Teaser and the Firecat, which includes "Moonshadow" and "Peace Train," reached No. 2 in the UK and US. His life story includes early fame, a period of spiritual conversion and withdrawal, and a later return to music and public projects. Celebrations of his 78th birthday have highlighted those signature songs and renewed attention to his catalogue and legacy.

Monica

@softtail65.bsky.social

Happy Birthday, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens)! 🎶 What's one of your favorite Yusuf/Cat songs? 🎶 Born in London on July 21, 1948, he first recorded one of his most famous songs, "The First Cut Is The Deepest" in 1966 and in 1967 released his debut album, Matthew and Son. 👇

10445d ago

Monica32

Cat has since released 25 studio albums and sold over 100 million records worldwide. In 1977, Cat converted to Islam & took a short hiatus. After performing only music that adhered to strict religious standards for nearly 3 decades, he returned secular music in 2006,

MJ 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈19

One of my favorites youtu.be/AopGsKIKMp8?...

Tim Murphy10

Trouble - Yusuf / Cat Stevens www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEPm...

tone curran10

one i really enjoy is this & the film is quite amusing (approx 2 mins & the song kicks in) cat stevens 'moonshadow' youtube.com/watch?v=x0aw...

Kiel Christianson10

“Where Do the Children Play?”

rsmith670.bsky.social8

Just about any on “Tea for the Tillerman”, take your pick.

🦌 The Deer Whisperer 🦌

@thedeerwhisperer.bsky.social

Born on this day, July 21, 1948. Cat Stevens (Yusef Islam)

10145d ago

glenda_aus🍁🦘2

He was the background to our teen years. I still adore him.

halltline.bsky.social1

Anyone who has ever picked up a guitar has a place in their heart for Cat Stevens.

JoAnn

@jojoinsf.bsky.social

#Short&Quick #MusicChallenge Day 22 BOTD in 1948 in London as Steven Demetre Georgiou. Happy Birthday Yusuf! 🎉 Oh Very Young - Cat Stevens (2:40) youtu.be/bP6B9HttRI8?...

6345d ago

Shantha Mohan, Ph.D., DTM

@shlead.bsky.social

🎵"Now I've been smiling lately Thinkin' about the good things to come And I believe it could be Something good has begun" youtu.be/Sdq4T3iRV80 Happy Birthday, Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens! 💐💐💐 #musicsky #music

2645d ago

Robert

@evry1getsatrophy.bsky.social

Happy Birthday British singer-songwriter Yusuf Islam, who uses the stage name Cat Stevens. I hope you have a fantastic day sir. youtu.be/UkTQri3a4Gg?...

2145d ago

Music Box Magazine

@musicboxonline.bsky.social

Good morning, Blue Sky! "Well, if you want to sing out, sing out And if you want to be free, be free 'Cause there's a million things to be You know that there are" (Happy Birthday, Cat Stevens/Yusuf!)

2145d ago

The 70s Guy

@stevenw888.bsky.social

Born 21 July 1948, musician Cat Stevens. His 1971 album 'Teaser and the Firecat' which made no 2 in the UK & US, contained 10 songs, including the hits "Morning Has Broken", "Moonshadow" and "Peace Train". It is also the title of a children's book written and illustrated by Stevens. #CatStevens

2245d ago

ismua ᴮˡᵘᵉˢᵏʸ ᴱˡᵈᵉʳ📯 🌈⛵💜

@ismua.bsky.social

#MeinSongDesTages zum heutigen 78. Geburtstag von Cat Stevens. Happy Birthday Yusuf 🎊🎂 Yusuf / Cat Stevens - Father & Son

2245d ago

Lisa Calla Feeley ♍📚🎶✈️☮️✌️🧋☯️

@bookclubbabe.bsky.social

Happy #TwoForTuesday 🔆 how 'bout 2 from the birthday boy, Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam? Oh Very Young youtu.be/EiwBAkOx1fQ?... Peace Train youtu.be/M9cJRqsKZKo?... #EarWorm

2245d ago

Gryphon1

Such a great artist! Good Morning, Lisa. 🎶🎸🎹

Craig Pittman

@craigtimes.bsky.social

Folk-rocker Yusuf Islam, aka Cat Stevens, turns 78 today. Blackbird has spoken!

1545d ago

Ron Sexsmith

@ronsexsmith.bsky.social

In honour of Yusuf Cat Stevens birthday Ron sings "Sad Lisa" RS youtu.be/LN01G3EZBE8?...

2045d ago

Mr Natural

@neilmatheson66.bsky.social

Happy 78th birthday, guitarist and singer, songwriter Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam. 🎂

1345d ago

Dr Pop Culture USA

@drpopcultureusa.bsky.social

July 21, 1948: Cat Stevens [Steven Demetre Georgiou; Yusaf Islam], British singer-songwriter ("Peace Train"; "Moonshadow"), is born in London.

1445d ago

Bean N. Curling

@beancurling.bsky.social

youtu.be/C9v8fStNnhk?... We had to sing Morning Has Broken in seventh grade. I was a moonshadow kid.

1145d ago

Séamas Aloysius

@seamusaloysius.bsky.social

July 21, 1948, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Cat Stevens ❤️ was born in London, England. Well to be more accurate, he was born Steven Georgiou (and later became Yusuf Islam).

Stevens contracted tuberculosis in 1969 and was close to death at the time of his admittance to the King Edward VII Hospital, Midhurst, West Sussex. He spent months recuperating in the hospital and a year of convalescence.
As a result of his serious illness and long convalescence, and as a part of his spiritual awakening and questioning, he wrote as many as 40 songs, many of which would appear on his albums in years to come.
In 1976, Stevens nearly drowned off the coast of Malibu, California, and said he shouted: "Oh, God! If you save me I will work for you." He stated that, immediately afterwards, a wave appeared and carried him back to shore. This brush with death intensified his long-held quest for spiritual truth.
His brother David Gordon, a convert to Judaism, brought him a copy of the Qur'an as a birthday gift from a trip to Jerusalem, soon beginning his transition and conversion to Islam, which would change forever his private and professional life.
Stevens formally converted to the Muslim faith on 23 December 1977, taking the name Yusuf Islam in 1978.
He left music for a period of time, but luckily for us all, he came back.
His spiritually inquisitive and touching music continues to bring joy, as he continues to record and play concerts to this day.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, and in 2019 he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

945d ago

Séamas Aloysius2

... and my favorite: Bitterblue youtu.be/CdfN7LTBSAY?...

2 sources

sheetmusiclibrary.websiteHappy birthday, Cat Stevens, born on this day in 1948 dogmainrecords.bandcamp.comMorning Has Broken (Cat Stevens) - Rui&Flip, by Dogmain records

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Cat Stevens, aka Yusuf Islam, turns 78

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