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British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist renowned for introspective folk-rock hits in the 1960s and 1970s, who later converted to Islam, changed his name to Yusuf Islam, and eventually returned to music. Born in London to Greek-Cypriot and Swedish parents, Stevens achieved global fame in the late 1960s and 1970s with albums like 'Tea for the Tillerman' and 'Teaser and the Firecat', producing hits such as 'Wild World,' 'Father and Son,' 'Moonshadow,' and 'Morning Has Broken.' After a near-death experience and spiritual quest, he converted to Islam in 1977, changed his name to Yusuf Islam, auctioned his guitars, and largely retired from mainstream pop music for nearly three decades, focusing on education, philanthropy, and Islamic devotional music. He gradually returned to secular music in the 2000s, releasing albums under Yusuf and Yusuf / Cat Stevens.

• Survived a near-fatal bout of tuberculosis at age 19, which led to a period of convalescence and deep spiritual reflection, profoundly influencing his songwriting.
• His conversion to Islam in 1977 after nearly drowning off the coast of Malibu was a major life upheaval; he auctioned his guitars and largely abandoned his pop music career, focusing on philanthropic and educational work, including founding Muslim schools.
• His comments in 1989 regarding the Salman Rushdie affair (related to 'The Satanic Verses') generated significant controversy; he later clarified his statements, condemning threats to Rushdie's life but maintaining his religious objections to the book's content.
• After a 28-year hiatus from mainstream pop/rock, he released the album 'An Other Cup' in 2006 under the name Yusuf, marking a successful return to secular music and critical acclaim, blending his signature sound with his spiritual perspective.