Here is a small glimpse at
the Year of the Child Programme that Cat had performed at Wembly Empire
Pool, London, England, to mark his finale performance of his career. Along with Cat
Stevens at this Unicef benefit concert, on December 1979 were, David Essex, Gary
Numan, Real Thing, Sky, & Wishbone Ash. Other people who joined Cat on stage with his
performance were long time side man Alun Davies, David Essex (who helped Cat sing 'Child
For A Day') and Richard Thompson. This program comes courtesy by site contributor Keith
Balaam and Alan Bayly.
'Together for Children' ( a
joint Oxfam/Unicef Programme) presents:
Cat Stevens
Born Steven Demetre Georgiou
His life began in London on
July 21, 1948. The son of a Greek Cypriot father and a Swedish mother, his childhood was
spent in a flat above his parents restaurant. With gifts of musical and artistic talent,
he became, at the age of 17, an international pop star.
Known as Cat Stevens
For many of us he has been
an illusive, magical and highly distant star. As his fame grew, his life became an endless
cycle of hit records, touring, concerts, screaming fans and constant pressures. At 18 he
contacted a serious illness. He used enforced layoff as an opportunity to expand to
implement the changes that he felt were necessary in order to make his music in his own
way. His new musical style set a tone for other singer/songwriters. " It's them they
know, not me" was his complaint and he began producing albums in a more personal way.
He cares deeply for his audience and has seemed always to understand their hopes and
dreams.
Yusuf Islam
Although he grew his beard
a very long time ago, it was symbolic of the future. Four years ago his brother David gave
him a copy of the holy Qur'an. It was the truth he had been searching for and his heart
was soon filled with love for Allah.
"It's like falling in
love…you glimpse your destiny…it fills my life."
From that earliest moment
he was willing to forgo all of music for Islam, but learned that was not altogether
necessary. On September 7, 1979 he married. She is Muslim.
Who is he now?
He is a man whose songs are
autobiographical. He is a deeply spiritual man whose reaction to fame was one of
seclusion. He is no longer a victim of fame. He is dedicated to the preservation of
childhood innocents coupled with adult wisdom, he pursues honesty and truth. He returns
the love of those of us who listens. He has stripped himself of the unnecessary trappings
of fame. He answers phone calls and mail. He prays to Allah five times a day and is
studying Arabic. He is real, at peace, and full of love.
Track list of Cat Stevens songs
from the Year of The Child Concert:
Introduction of Cat Stevens to the
enthusiatric crowd at Wembly by Paul Gambaccini .
"....
during the course of those 13 yrs he has become one of Britains most popular international
stars, but also the best friend Unicef has had in rock music. His name is Yusuf Islam__
you may know him as Cat Stevens ! "
- The Wind Real Audio
- On Road To Find Out
- Just Another Night Real Audio
- Daytime
- Where Do The Children Play
- Father and Son
- Morning Has Broken
- Peace Train
- Child For A Day Real Audio
-
-
- There is also an incomplete Bootleg
Video from Swedish TV with this discography:
-
- Daytime
- Where Do The Children Play
- Father and Son
- Morning Has Broken
- Child For A Day Real Video
