From Rolling Stone Magazine
Cat Stevens, also known as Yusuf (Islam), had recently returned from a South American tour when he learned he was being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “How prepared can you be for something like that to happen?” he says. “I wasn’t very prepared. But since it’s happened, it kind of tickled me quite a lot. It’s great to know there are people out there who appreciated my work. It’s great.”
Look back at Cat Stevens (a.k.a. Yusuf Islam)’s journey to the Rock Hall in photos
We spoke with the songwriter about the honor, his future touring and recording plans, his return to secular pop music after many years away from the scene and his thoughts on his fellow inductees.
Is this something you thought would ever happen in your career?
I wasn’t really thinking about it. There was always this mention about being nominated and the first time it didn’t happen. I thought it was going to go on ad infinitum.
What does the honor mean to you?
Anything in the music business that’s not actually music is something else. It’s a competition, a great big competition. And that’s fine. It’s just not the reason I got into music. That’s not the reason I write songs. It is a compliment when people have got nothing else to give you, they give you an award or an honor. In that respect, it’s very much appreciated. But for me, the whole activity of music is its own reward.
You’re going to to the ceremony, right?
That’s the plan. Hopefully I’ll make it.
Are you going to perform?
It’s still another world at the moment for me. I’m not sure yet what the ceremony quite is and who is going to give me the honor, but we’ll see how it goes.
Did you ever imagine that you’d stand on the same stage as Kiss?
They’re a good looking group, I must admit. I’m not sure that I can compete.
The term rock & roll is pretty loose. Do you consider the music you make to the be rock & roll?
Not quite. That’s why I’m almost surprised by this award. But then again, it’s all kind of within the genre of things that changed the world. Rock & roll certainly did that.
Do you see yourself as a rock star?
Not at the particular moment, no. I’m an elder, experienced songwriter who’s been through the rock glamor period and come out standing.
Peter Gabriel is also getting inducted. He’s a friend of yours, right?
Yeah. He’s one of the first ones that coaxed me into coming back onstage, back in 2003 when there was a concert in honor of Nelson Mandela. The proceeds were going to AIDS victims in South Africa. That was the first time I got back onstage after over a decade. I sang “Wild World.” He’s a great guy, a great friend and a fantastic musician.
You’re being inducted the same night as Nirvana.
All I can say about that is “Nevermind. . .” Obviously, they’re a great force of a new rejectionist approach to the business and to the industry. They made their noise, and they made a great noise. They also happen to be my son’s favorite band.
