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Cat Stevens / Yusuf Islam – Full Biography
Real Name: Steven Demetre Georgiou
Stage Names: Cat Stevens, Yusuf Islam, Yusuf / Cat Stevens
Date of Birth: July 21, 1948
Place of Birth: London, England
Nationality: British
Genres: Folk, Pop, Rock, Spiritual
Instruments: Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Keyboards

Early Life:
Steven Demetre Georgiou was born in the Soho area of London to a Greek Cypriot father and Swedish mother. He was raised above the family restaurant, and exposed to a mixture of cultures, including Orthodox Christianity and later Roman Catholic schooling. His interest in music began early, and he taught himself guitar and piano as a teenager.

Career as Cat Stevens:
Cat Stevens began his music career in the mid-1960s, adopting the stage name to sound more accessible in the pop music scene. His debut album, Matthew and Son (1967), was a hit in the UK and made him a teen pop star.

However, in 1968, he contracted tuberculosis and nearly died. During his long recovery, he turned inward, began questioning life, and developed a deeper, more introspective songwriting style.

His musical breakthrough came in the early 1970s with albums like:

Tea for the Tillerman (1970)

Teaser and the Firecat (1971)

Catch Bull at Four (1972)

These albums contained hits such as:

Wild World

Father and Son

Morning Has Broken

Moonshadow

Peace Train

His style blended folk, pop, and rock with philosophical and spiritual lyrics.

He was known for his warm voice, melodic acoustic sound, and collaborations with musicians like Alun Davies (guitarist).

Conversion to Islam and Name Change:
In 1977, at the peak of his fame, Stevens converted to Islam after a spiritual journey inspired in part by a near-death experience and a gift of the Qur'an from his brother. He changed his name to Yusuf Islam in 1978.

Shortly afterward, he left the music industry, devoting himself to religious study, philanthropy, and education. He founded Islamic schools in London and was active in various humanitarian causes.

Return to Music:
Yusuf Islam gradually returned to music in the 2000s, releasing new albums with spiritual and social themes:

An Other Cup (2006)

Roadsinger (2009)

Tell ‘Em I’m Gone (2014)

The Laughing Apple (2017) (credited as Yusuf / Cat Stevens)

Tea for the Tillerman² (2020) — a reimagining of his classic 1970 album.

He now performs under the name Yusuf / Cat Stevens, honoring both parts of his identity — his musical legacy and his spiritual path.

Legacy:
Over 60 million records sold worldwide

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2014)

Known for his introspective songwriting and gentle melodies

Influenced artists across genres and generations

A symbol of personal and spiritual transformation

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