Many
thanks to Bruce Lawrie for bringing this wonderful article to
Majicats attention.
Many of us did
not know or have forgotten that there was an earlier controversial subject concerning Cat
Stevens. This controversy concerns his 1967 hit "I'm Gonna Get Me A Gun ". This
Q & A session has Cat commenting on that controversy and also mentioning writing that "Western
Musical". If only we could get our hands on that script. If we could, I think Roy
Rogers and Gene Autry would have to hang up their guns, spurs and guitar after Cat Stevens
had his day in that saddle....
- Happy Trails To Cat
- Happy trails to Cat,
- Until we meet again.
Happy trails to Cat,
- Keep smilin' until then.
- Happy Trails to Cat
Who cares about the clouds when we're
together?
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.
Happy trails to Cat, 'till we meet again.
Some trails are happy ones, others are blue
It's the way you ride the trail that counts
Here's a happy one for Cat...
Happy trails to Cat
Until we meet again
Happy trails to Cat
Keep smilin' until then
Happy trails to Cat
Who cares about the clouds when we're together
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather
Happy trails to Cat, til we meet again
Dale Evans
 "JUKE
BOX" BITCHY COMMENT HURT
- Says Cat Stevens
- To Jeremy Pascall
- New Music Express
- April 22, 1967
Happy picture of Cat
Stevens with his gun, the subject of much controversy since his new hit " I’m
Gonna get Me A Gun." Cat talks about comments and answers questions frankly in this
Question Time.
It was the Cat that
got the cream of the line from Glasgow! A Cat Stevens, purring with well deserved please
at his success on the Walkers Brothers’ tour.
Ever pleasant, ever
helpful, he cheerfully settles down the Question Time despite the rigours of touring,
performing and the general bustle that surrounds a one-nighter.
Q In view of the
controversy surrounding " I’m Gonna get Me A Gun," do you wish you issued
something else?
A Yes, Well, I liked
the controversy in the beginning but it got hectic, and I don’t want anybody to feel
bad or brought down nor to entice kids to buy guns. In the context of the western musical,
the sound wasn’t bad—I liked it, but I see now that it was my fault for not
explaining the context before it was released.
Now I’m looking
forward to the next single. It’s a slowish one I’ve been wanting to do for ages.
You’ll like it. I’m not really worried that "Gun" stared
slowly—it’s doing all right now!
Q How did you react to
the statement made about "Gun" by reviewers and particular "Juke Box
Jury"?
A I felt terribly hurt
after "JBJ" in fact, I couldn’t sleep all that night. I thought some of the
things said were unnecessarily vitriolic and bitchy, but I’ve spoken to some of the
jurors since, and now they’ve put the song in it’s true context they like it.
The trouble is you
don’t think about those things when you put the record out—you’re so
wrapped up in it you can’t see somebody else’s side. I won’t make the same
mistake again, though- I’ve learnt from the experience.
Q At what stage of
progress is your Western musical?
A Frankly, I’m
getting fed up with it now. I wish I’d never said anything about it, because now
everybody’s hurrying me to finish it.
Left alone, it’s okay.
I write a song here and there, and no pressure, but the moment somebody tells me do
something I shut down like a clam.
I’ve made it a
Western, because I think there’s a feeling for things western just now in clothes and
country music everywhere. I want it to go on in the West End, and I’d love to take
the lead, because it’s really about me—but as a cowboy.
I wouldn’t back it
with my own money, though!
Q You’ve gone a
long way in a short time. How do you feel about suddenness of your success?
A I’m beginning to
adjust now, and take things in my stride. I seem to cope with it all. Has it changed me?
Well, I’m very organized these days. I write everything down on bits of paper, and
plan what I’ve got to do each day.
Q Do you plan your
career similarly?
A Not really, I
concentrate on now. I had three numbers and I’m here. What I’ve got to do is
keep on improving, working and learning.
I will be producing a
record pretty soon with an old friend of mine from the days in the folk clubs, when we
used to sing around. His name is Peter James Hogan, and he writes some great stuff
himself, but I’m giving him one of mine to start with.
I did plan for this tour by
working on my act with producer Fred Perry, who’s great, so give him a plug. I’m
much more confident sine he’s helped me, and less embarrassed by myself on stage.
Q And how is your first
tour going?
A I’m blasted
–well enjoying it. On the first day I thought it was terrible in the coach and all.
But now I’ve got my own car and I’m staying in comfortable hotels, every thing
is great.
The fans are fantastic! I
thought they’d be there for the Walkers only, because they’re the gods. But I
think I’m appreciated, too.
Q And after the tour?
What then?
A I think there’ll
be a Cat Designs in the future. I designed my stage gear, and I’ve been doodling
around a lot recently.
I’ll do some of the
designing, and my brother David will run the business side of it, as he was in fashion and
knows the contacts. It won’t be a boutique- strictly trade and wholesale.
Q You’re both
writer and performer. Which is the more important?
A Performing is
becoming very important now, and I’m working very hard at it. I really want to be a
great performer. I admire Sammy Davis that man is unbelievable. And the Walker Brothers
aren’t so bad! Seriously, they are great. I’ve learnt a lot from them.
Writing is still important,
but it does tend to go in fashions. At the moment my songs are in great demand, but then
so were the songs of Mitch Murray and Chris Andrews and they’re both suffering a
little right now because they stayed stagnant, I mustn’t do that. I intend to grow
with time, expand and change.
____________________________________
- Here is another early article which has Cat
mentioning the famed Western Musical
- Mexico-Mad Cat &
His First Musical
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