Cat On The Road To Findout

In the whirlwind of 1960s London, Cat Stevens rose to fame almost overnight. Sharing stages with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, he became a household name with pop hits like 'Matthew and Son' and 'The First Cut Is the Deepest'. A near-fatal bout of tuberculosis in his early twenties became a turning point, propelling him into a lifelong quest for meaning. Emerging from illness with a new sense of purpose, he evolved into one of the defining singer-songwriter troubadours of the 1970s. Heartfelt songs like 'Wild World', 'Father and Son' and 'Peace Train' made him a generational voice in the quest for peace, ecological consciousness and global change. Then, at the peak of his fame, another brush with death - a near-drowning - led him to a massive transformative commitment to the Omniscient Power which miraculously saved him. After being gifted a copy of the Qur'an, he embraced Islam in 1977, then walked away from music, becoming Yusuf Islam, and dedicating his life to faith, family and humanitarian work. Cat on the Road to Findout is the uncensored story behind the headlines. Told in Yusuf's own words and through hand-drawn illustrations, with raw honesty and poetic insight, he reflects on his triumphs and trials - finally shedding light on all those hidden 'in-betweens'.

Yusuf/Cat Stevens is one of the most influential singer-songwriters of all time; the profound philosophy embedded within his songs continues to inspire generations. Following a near-fatal bout of TB at the end of the 1960s, he embarked on a deeply personal quest for spiritual enlightenment, seeking answers, and transcending religious boundaries. Cat's introspective lyrics and melodic charm placed him front and centre of a golden generation of singer-songwriters in the 1970s. His amazing catalogue of songs, including 'Father and Son', 'Wild World', 'Where Do The Children Play?' and 'Peace Train', reflect a quest for peace and consciousness, inner development, and a passion for the natural world, that continues to resonate with music lovers and peace seekers all over the world. To date, he has sold over 100 million records and has over 4 billion streams. In 1977, at the height of his career, Cat Stevens embraced Islam, and changed his name to Yusuf Islam. One year later, he left the music industry and dedicated himself to philanthropy and education. His extensive charity work has seen him receive numerous prestigious international awards, including the World Award for 'humanitarian relief work helping children and victims of war', and the Man of Peace Award, voted for by The Nobel Peace Laureates. Inducted into both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Yusuf/Cat Stevens is the recipient of an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection and a two-time recipient of the ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Award. He holds honorary doctorates in Philosophy and Law from the universities of Gloucestershire and Exeter respectively and was made a Doctor of Humane Letters by the American University of Sharjah.