Cat Stevens, the enigmatic singer-songwriter who later converted to Islam and changed his name to Yusuf Islam, is set to release his first autobiography. The memoir, titled 'Cat on the Road to Findout', chronicles his journey from pop stardom to religious devotion and his eventual return to music decades later.
The book details his early life in London, living above his parents' cafe on Shaftesbury Avenue, and his unexpected love for his Catholic primary school. It also covers his rapid rise to fame in the 1960s with hits like 'Matthew and Son', despite his intense dislike for the trappings of stardom, including live performances and interviews.
Yusuf Islam recounts his spiritual quest, which led him through Buddhism, Christianity, and meditation before settling on Islam after a near-death experience. He describes giving up music as a natural step, feeling his songwriting had reached a dead end, and finding fulfillment in charity work.
The autobiography also addresses the controversy following 9/11, when he was placed on a no-fly list, and his ill-advised jokes about the Salman Rushdie fatwa on television. Despite these challenges, Islam reflects on his life with a sense of purpose and peace.
