Top Of The Box

Yusulf Islam, best known as Cat Stevens had his first hit singles back in 1966, back then his music was pioneering and very different to the run of the mill chart music. Due to massive pirate radio airplay Matthew and Son reached number two in the UK charts, follow up singles I Love My Dog and I’m Gonna Get Me A Gun further cemented the singer/songwriters reputation.

His eagerly awaited first album Matthew and Son did not disappoint and made the UK album charts. His second album in 1967 New Masters, however failed to impress and was notable only for the track First Cut Is The Deepest which he allegedly sold to PP Arnold for £30.

In 1968 and still only 19, Stevens became very ill with tuberculosis and a collapsed lung and upon admittance to hospital was close to death. He spent months in hospital and a further year convalescing, a period in which he began questioning aspects of his life and spirituality. He practiced meditation, yoga and metaphysics as well as studying other religions and becoming a vegetarian.

When he came back healthy and signed to new record label, Island in 1970, Stevens took up where he had left off a few years earlier. His album Mona Bone Jakon was not a massive commercial success, but indicated a new direction from his previous work and is best known for the single Lady D’Arbanville.

Six months later in November 1970 Stevens released the classic album Tea For The Tillerman. In the years to 1974 Stevens was prolific releasing four more albums that would take him to the height of his popularity. Teaser and the Firecat, Catch Bull At Four, Foriegner and Buddah and the Chocolate Box were among the best selling albums of the time.

They also spawned a hatful of hit songs like Wild World, Peace Train, Can’t Keep it in, Oh Very Young, Moonshadow and  Father and Son.

Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam will be performing in Dublin and the UK in November/December, visiting Dublin O2, Birmingham NIA, Liverpool Echo Arena and ending up at the Royal Albert Hall in London on December 8th.

Cat Stevens Tickets
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Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam – Father & Son – Live