Yusuf's Cross-Generational Appeal

[Sir Lorry Load]

To what extent does Yusuf Islam's appeal bridge generations?

I have believed for a long time that, like all great artists, Yusuf's appeal does, indeed, stretch across the gernerational divide.

A telling indication of this is found in the following excerpt from Newsweek Magazine's recent profile of Yusuf:

"... Cat Stevens's catalog still sells well into the millions decades after his retreat—since 1991 alone, he's sold 6.2 million albums."

www.newsweek.com/id/195670

You would have to think that a significant percentage of these recordings were purchased by younger fans.

The latest smidgen of anecdotal evidence that strengthened my belief occurred on the day that Yusuf's new album (sorry, some habits are tough to break!) was released.

Walking into the record (and other habits die hard!) store that morning, I was thrilled to hear the mellow sounds of an unmistakable voice playing throughout the shop.

Yes, it was the music of 'Roadsinger', and the one who had chosen to highlight it as 'the pick of the day' was a clerk who could not have been long out of high school.

I asked this young Yusuf fan how he liked the new music and he replied, "It's been really good so far!"

He went on to tell me that as he was raised the sounds of Cat Stevens were a constant in his household, and that he was very excited that Yusuf had fully resumed his recording career.

I have experienced that several of the youngest members of my family have come to enjoy and appreciate Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam music, and I am curious as to how many of you folks have found the same within your circle of family and friends.

In closing, I guess I would characterize 'younger fans' as those belonging to the couple of generations that have followed we who came of age during the first two incarnations of Yusuf's career: the late 1960's and early '70's.

Sincerely,
Bud

[bookworm]

My children and grandchildren grew up to the sounds of Cat Stevens. My oldest child will be 40 and my youngest grandchild is 5.

[helen]

My three children grew up listening to Cat's music.

They had no choice then , but they do now.
one is 30, 28 and 26 years old.
My eldest daughter did see Yusuf at the Royal Albert Hall in September 2007

They all have Cat's CD in theirs cars and told me that they wish to see him in concert.

[catty]

because cat stevens was a mega-star in his heyday and never really had the "come down"..

[downunder72]

That's the beauty of Yusufs/Cats lifes work. Its's timeless, heart felt, honest, without borders. Has a place in everyones heart and soul, young and old. I feel this is the secret to his success.

[sueinhollywood]

Well I do have some thoughts from America.

Maybe it's because of a couple of things.

First of all, he sort of disappeared from radio here, especially after his comments about the Rushdie affair which you can listen to on youtube.

The Ayatollah had taken American hostages. Enough said. Not a good move if you want airplay on classic radio in America which he obviously didn't. So he probably didn't need the money or care about it.

Radio simply stopped playing his music at least in America. I mean 10,000 Maniacs stopped performing their version of Peace Train and refused to put it on their "greatest hits" album.

A couple of generations grew up without hearing his music unless their parents had the albums or they rented Harold and Maude which I doubt. It's not like they were going to buy the few greatest hits reissues in the 80's or 90's. Hopefully he was independently wealthy already and earning enough from his other projects as Yusuf Islam...

When the Majikat DVD got released and was shown on PBS people started to take notice.

But when he got denied entry into the US, a BIG NOISE! Huge! There is no such thing as bad publicity. Cat Stevens, Yusuf Islam, who is he? What's the big deal? Peace Train? He wrote THAT? If he's a terrorist we are really in trouble. This was the era of massive file sharing by college students, napster, etc. EVERYBODY listened to him.....

The Door to his return has been blasted wide open by the US Govt!!!!!

Eddie Vedder starts playing Trouble and Don't Be Shy at Pearl Jam concerts etc.....

Sheryl Crow has a huge hit here with the First Cut is the Deepest. Written by Cat Stevens. Huh? Who is he? etc.

Michael Moore's documentary Farenheit 9/11 was seen by -everybody.

Then his next movie SICKO about our horrible health care here blasted "Don't Be Shy" as it ended. Who's that? I was there in the theater, I heard it and thought the same thing sounds like - Cat Stevens??? Didn't we kick him off a plane etc etc? And I mean it was LOUD and started right after the credits. Michael Moore is a big fat loudmouth and a troublemaker but people listen to him.

Good move whoever is in charge of the catalogue NOW

So by now lots of kids who were his age when he was writing his
his earlier music, which had good melodies and lyrical content, can relate to him because good music will stand the test of time if it is relevant and universal enough. Besides he practices Islam and wouldn't that just piss off your parents too.

Funny cause I was in the Griddle Cafe next to the Director's Guild here on Sunset and Fairfax yesterday. I was changing buses and tired and hungry and don't usually go there because I hate snotty Hollywood wannabes and of course I was seated next to two of them. They drop names and they don't tip and one of them took my menu. Sheesh.

CNN posted something about the Coldplay controversy and of course I hear Cat Stevens wrote it first and I turn around and it's these two young guys and I said you listen to him? And one guy said I love Cat Stevens with this look that said I've been listening to him for hours....

And then the waiter came over and high-fived me and we talked about his music. I mean I'm old enough to be their mother, maybe grandmother. So there you go! And here are these nice young men smiling at old me because of Cat Stevens music.....made my day you know?

Just like the Beatles. Something about that era of young people singing about what was on their minds....Because after Bob Dylan changed music, people wrote what they felt!!!!!

[downunder72]

Sue you made some very accurate observations, and amusing at the same time. You always give us something to think about. Thankyou.

[Vivian]

Jun 10, 2009 15:11:24 GMT -5 sueinhollywood said:

Well I do have some thoughts from America.

Maybe it's because of a couple of things.

First of all, he sort of disappeared from radio here, especially after his comments about the Rushdie affair which you can listen to on youtube.

The Ayatollah had taken American hostages. Enough said. Not a good move if you want airplay on classic radio in America which he obviously didn't. So he probably didn't need the money or care about it.

Radio simply stopped playing his music at least in America. I mean 10,000 Maniacs stopped performing their version of Peace Train and refused to put it on their "greatest hits" album.

A couple of generations grew up without hearing his music unless their parents had the albums or they rented Harold and Maude which I doubt. It's not like they were going to buy the few greatest hits reissues in the 80's or 90's. Hopefully he was independently wealthy already and earning enough from his other projects as Yusuf Islam...

When the Majikat DVD got released and was shown on PBS people started to take notice.

But when he got denied entry into the US, a BIG NOISE! Huge! There is no such thing as bad publicity. Cat Stevens, Yusuf Islam, who is he? What's the big deal? Peace Train? He wrote THAT? If he's a terrorist we are really in trouble. This was the era of massive file sharing by college students, napster, etc. EVERYBODY listened to him.....

The Door to his return has been blasted wide open by the US Govt!!!!!

Eddie Vedder starts playing Trouble and Don't Be Shy at Pearl Jam concerts etc.....

Sheryl Crow has a huge hit here with the First Cut is the Deepest. Written by Cat Stevens. Huh? Who is he? etc.

Michael Moore's documentary Farenheit 9/11 was seen by -everybody.

Then his next movie SICKO about our horrible health care here blasted "Don't Be Shy" as it ended. Who's that? I was there in the theater, I heard it and thought the same thing sounds like - Cat Stevens??? Didn't we kick him off a plane etc etc? And I mean it was LOUD and started right after the credits. Michael Moore is a big fat loudmouth and a troublemaker but people listen to him.

Good move whoever is in charge of the catalogue NOW

So by now lots of kids who were his age when he was writing his
his earlier music, which had good melodies and lyrical content, can relate to him because good music will stand the test of time if it is relevant and universal enough. Besides he practices Islam and wouldn't that just piss off your parents too.

Funny cause I was in the Griddle Cafe next to the Director's Guild here on Sunset and Fairfax yesterday. I was changing buses and tired and hungry and don't usually go there because I hate snotty Hollywood wannabes and of course I was seated next to two of them. They drop names and they don't tip and one of them took my menu. Sheesh.

CNN posted something about the Coldplay controversy and of course I hear Cat Stevens wrote it first and I turn around and it's these two young guys and I said you listen to him? And one guy said I love Cat Stevens with this look that said I've been listening to him for hours....

And then the waiter came over and high-fived me and we talked about his music. I mean I'm old enough to be their mother, maybe grandmother. So there you go! And here are these nice young men smiling at old me because of Cat Stevens music.....made my day you know?

Just like the Beatles. Something about that era of young people singing about what was on their minds....Because after Bob Dylan changed music, people wrote what they felt!!!!!

I must disagree with a couple of things: First, I still say the entire Rushdie issue was Yusuf being misunderstood, even though youtube videos APPEAR to have him saying certain things.
Now, this confuses me. What does the American Hostage crisis have to do with Yusuf. Certainly he had nothing to do with that. In fact, the only thing in common there was Islam, or so the Iranians claimed.
Yeah, parts of a generation grew up without Cat's music, I guess because some older fans felt abandoned when Cat left the business, thus didn't play his music for their young ones to enjoy.
Then there were those DJS who went out of their way to show disrespect. A few years back, Sheryl Crows version of First Cut aired on a radio station, and afterwards the DJ said it was a Rod Stewert song, and and when a caller called to correct him, he said "Yeah, I know", but I refuse to say the name of "that terrorist"". Heckm he didn't have to. All he had to say that it was Sheryl Crow singing. He didn't have to lie saying it was Rod. And nothing personal against Rod. He even said during one of his concerts, "Cat Stevens IS NOT a terrorist.
Of course, regarding SICKO, WE didn't kick him off the plane. Our so called IDIOT Government at the time did, noting it was very close to election......HMMM another story. By the way, anyone notice who got credit for Don't be Shy at the end of SICKO, it wasn't Cat, but YUSUF! As it is in this great youtube video as well, even though it is a CAT version.



I guess it's a way of showing respect to who Yusuf is today.

Peace,Vivian

[sueinhollywood]

HMMMMM I thought my story reflected Yusuf's cross-generational appeal....

Guess not.

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Chris]

Hey Bud, It's so nice to see you back... I missed you old friend! Hmm, I like your thread.

I have noticed it as well. I have two college age nieces and they said he is very popular in both of their colleges, Ohio University and James Madison University in Virgina. I just think it is because his message is so universal, and is as appropriate today as it was in the 70's. Especially with what the world is facing today, with wars (Pro Peace movements) environmental issues. The young folks of today are more in tune with helping the world. The me generation is finally over, and it is back to WE the world needs help generation, both young and old. The youth of today are a big part of that. Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam messages fit right into what is happening.

God Bless both Yusuf and the new wise youth who wish to help our sad earth and enjoy good music at the same time. ;D

[paulo]

Well as most people would be aware I'm only 18 and I think it's fair to say that I'm living proof of Yusuf/ Cat's cross generational appeal!

[flemmishfangent]

My kids are humming with the songs when i play my Cd 's they even don't notice they are doing it LOL THESE SONGS ARE IN YOUR HEART AND SOUL LIKE THERE ALWAYS BEEN THERE Regii

[Sir Lorry Load]

Everyone's replies are really neat and certainly help to confirm the strength and reach of Yusuf's appeal.

Christine, thank you so much for the kind welcome, you have a terrific site, here, one that is as friendly as it is informative.

Paulo, it's always exciting to see that there are so many young fans like yourself and I would bet that there are many others like you right here at Majicat.

Thank you everyone!

Sincerely,
Bud

[HardheadedSofthrtd]

Must go to bed shortly (after 4am here) so I'll be brief:

I was a bit young when Cat was in his prime, so to speak, so I pretty much missed out (was into The Partridge Family, Bay City Rollers, Jackson 5, Osmonds...LOL ). But I rediscovered him around 2001-2. I started playing his work around the house I shared with Mom in 2004 and she, too, fell hard for him. And not just for his beautiful curly hair (which she adored) either! She used to joke that "Hard-headed Woman" was "our song". Mom was in her early 70's at that time, and I was 40. My eldest nephew, who will be 20 in a couple of weeks, began living in the same house and he, too, developed an appreciation for Cat's work. To my surprise (and delight) he also really, really liked both "God Is the Light" and particularly "Tala'a Al-Badru 'Alayna". Of course, his favorite back then was "Father and Son" - he was at "that stage" in his relationship with his dad.

So there you have it: we were 3 generations under one roof, all fans.

-Joanne

[mckenzy]

just have to comment about what Sir Lorry Lord (Bud for short) said about this board.... you're right everybody is friendly here. I've been to other fan sites and it seems all they do is snipe at each other and honestly... what is the point in THAT? This site is a pleasure to visit because there's so much love and humanity here and no hysterics, ha ha.

[mckenzy]

I have a question I'm curious about but don't want to start a new thread.... so maybe someone who reads this will know. Why does Yusuf wear his wedding ring on his right hand? Is this a Muslim tradition? For someone who's so traditional in many ways, it seems kind of odd. What does it mean? Or am I just asking a stupid question?

[JaneB]

For her 19th birthday, I sent "Teaser and the Firecat" and Yoriyos' "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" to her. She loves them both and has asked me for more Cat Stevens. That puts a big smile on Aunt Jane!

[sueinhollywood]

Jun 14, 2009 10:42:09 GMT -5 mckenzy said:

I have a question I'm curious about but don't want to start a new thread.... so maybe someone who reads this will know. Why does Yusuf wear his wedding ring on his right hand? Is this a Muslim tradition? For someone who's so traditional in many ways, it seems kind of odd. What does it mean? Or am I just asking a stupid question?

It's cultural and there's no such thing as a stupid question (I used to teach...)

solomonsring.com/wedding-ring/in-which-countries-do-people-wear-their-wedding-ring-on-their-right-hand

[Sir Lorry Load]

Jun 14, 2009 3:34:17 GMT -5 HardheadedSofthrtd said:

Must go to bed shortly (after 4am here) so I'll be brief:

I was a bit young when Cat was in his prime, so to speak, so I pretty much missed out (was into The Partridge Family, Bay City Rollers, Jackson 5, Osmonds...LOL ). But I rediscovered him around 2001-2. I started playing his work around the house I shared with Mom in 2004 and she, too, fell hard for him. And not just for his beautiful curly hair (which she adored) either! She used to joke that "Hard-headed Woman" was "our song". Mom was in her early 70's at that time, and I was 40. My eldest nephew, who will be 20 in a couple of weeks, began living in the same house and he, too, developed an appreciation for Cat's work. To my surprise (and delight) he also really, really liked both "God Is the Light" and particularly "Tala'a Al-Badru 'Alayna". Of course, his favorite back then was "Father and Son" - he was at "that stage" in his relationship with his dad.

So there you have it: we were 3 generations under one roof, all fans.

-Joanne

Thanks, Joanne.

I enjoyed your story of three generations of Cat-Yusuf fans all living under the same roof.

Wow, talk about having a cross-generational appeal!

-Bud

[Sir Lorry Load]

Jun 15, 2009 13:25:45 GMT -5 sueinhollywood said:

Jun 14, 2009 10:42:09 GMT -5 mckenzy said:

I have a question I'm curious about but don't want to start a new thread.... so maybe someone who reads this will know. Why does Yusuf wear his wedding ring on his right hand? Is this a Muslim tradition? For someone who's so traditional in many ways, it seems kind of odd. What does it mean? Or am I just asking a stupid question?

It's cultural and there's no such thing as a stupid question (I used to teach...)

solomonsring.com/wedding-ring/in-which-countries-do-people-wear-their-wedding-ring-on-their-right-hand

Just goes to show, once again, that one can receive an education on just about any subject here at 'Majicat'.

Great info, Sue!

-Bud