Broadcast and Webcast Exclusive:

First Live US Performance in Three Decades by Yusuf (formerly Cat Stevens)

Will Air on KCRWs Morning Becomes Eclectic

On Thursday, December 21, 2006, at 11:15 am, Music Director Nic Harcourt, host of the influential music program Morning Becomes Eclectic on trendsetting public radio station 89.9FM KCRW/Santa Monica and KCRW.com, presents a broadcast and webcast exclusive: the first live US performance in nearly three decades by singer/songwriter Yusuf, formerly known as Cat Stevens.

° Visit yusufislam.com

° Purchase Yusuf's CDs

In November 2006, Ya/Atlantic released AN OTHER CUP, Yusuf’s long-anticipated new album, the first collection of modern pop songs in 28 years from this legendary British singer/songwriter. It was received with a flurry of critical acclaim and coincided with the 40th anniversary of Cat Stevens’ first hit record, “I Love My Dog.”

Morning Becomes Eclectic was recorded on December 19 at an invitation-only event in an intimate performance venue in New York City, hosted by KCRWs Nic Harcourt. The performance and interview will be broadcast on air and will be simulcast online at www.KCRW.com on Thurs., Dec. 21, at 11:15 am Pacific time; click on KCRWLive to listen to the station’s on-air stream. Yusuf’s performance will be available for later listening in the KCRW Archives online.

Stevens reemerged in 1970, and the following year he made his U.S. chart debut with the acclaimed TEA FOR THE TILLERMAN. Over the next seven years, he had seven top ten albums, including such classics as TEASER AND THE FIRECAT, CATCH BULL AT FOUR, and BUDDAH AND THE CHOCOLATE BOX. Having reinvented his music, he wrote and performed such personal and reflective songs as “Wild World,” “Father And Son,” “Peace Train,” “Moonshadow” “Morning Has Broken,” “Oh Very Young,” and many others. His music was also featured in the 1971 cult film classic, "Harold and Maude." Truly a global superstar, Stevens became one of the most important figures in the folk-rock movement of the decade.

Songwriter of the Year for the second consecutive year and was recognized for his enduring classic “First Cut Is The Deepest.” The song, which first appeared on 1967’s NEW MASTERS, has been covered by numerous artists including Rod Stewart and Sheryl Crow, who earned a 2005 Grammy Award nomination for her rendition.

Click on KCRWs 24/7 Internet radio station, KCRWMusic.com every weekday to hear web-exclusive editions of MorningBecomesEclectic with Nic Harcourt, NewGround with Chris Douridas, Cafe LA with Tom Schnabeland Metropolis with Jason Bentley; and on Saturdays and Sundays for The A-Track with Anne Litt, Chocolate City with Garth Trinidad, Nocturna with Raul Campos, and Pop Secret with Cathy Tamkin.