Cat Stevens

Cat Stevens (born July 21, 1948) was a British singer-songwriter. Born Stephen Demetre Georgiou in London, he sold 40 million albums, mostly in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1971, he wrote music for the film Harold and Maude. His most popular songs include "Morning Has Broken," "Peace Train," "Moonshadow," "Wild World," "Father and Son," "Matthew and Son," and "Oh Very Young." Many of them were performed only with him playing either the guitar or piano.

Early music career

Eager to move his music career forward, Georgiou sought the help of manager-producer Mike Hurst by knocking on his door and asking to play some of his songs for him. Not wanting to be rude, Hurst let him and when Georgiou was finished, Hurst told him, "You're bloody great! What's your name?" Georgiou answered, "My name is Stephen but they call me Cat Stevens." (He claimed that the name had been given to him because a girl told him he has eyes like a cat). Stevens published several songs, and in 1966, at age 18, he had his first hit with "I Love My Dog." He then toured with moderate success.

Related Topics:
Cat - 1966

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On August 14, 1967, his voice joined with other recording artists on the airwaves of Wonderful Radio London bemoaning the loss of the pirate radio station which had helped create his first hit record. (See IFPI 'Conflicts of Interest'.) It was around this time that Variety editor Peter Bart referred to Cat Stevens as "looking like a homeless person".

Related Topics:
August 14 - 1967 - Wonderful Radio London - Pirate radio - IFPI - Peter Bart

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Illness

Later that same year at age 19, he entered a hospital and was diagnosed with tuberculosis.

Related Topics:
Hospital - Tuberculosis

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