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Yusuf (Cat Stevens) Postpones North American Book Tour Amid Visa Delays
Legendary singer-songwriter Yusuf, formerly known as Cat Stevens, has announced the postponement of his upcoming North American book tour, citing unspecified visa issues. The “Cat on the Road to Findout” tour, which was set to begin next month, will not proceed as scheduled.
Yusuf shared the news on Instagram Monday, expressing his disappointment. “Waiting months for visa approvals, we held out as long as we could,” he wrote. “However, at this point, the production logistics necessary for my show cannot be arranged in time.”
He added, “I am really upset! Not least for my fans who have bought tickets and made travel plans to see me perform.”
The artist indicated that North American fans might still have a chance to see the tour in the future “if visa approvals come through,” though he noted such dates would likely be “some time away” due to other commitments. He optimistically stated, “Hopefully, fans will be able to hop on the Peace Train route at some time in the future.”
Despite the tour delay, the book itself is still slated for release in the U.S. on October 7, having already been made available in the U.K. earlier this month. Yusuf humorously pointed out, “Meanwhile, tour delays should not affect the book, which you’ll still be able to enjoy… the obvious benefit of it being — books don’t need visas!”
The British singer-songwriter, who adopted the name Yusuf Islam after converting to the Muslim faith, did not elaborate on the specific reasons for the visa delays. His situation reflects a broader trend, as he is among several international musicians and athletes recently impacted by visa complications, which have included increased fees and slowed processing times over the past year.
Representatives for Yusuf did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the postponement.
The tour was originally scheduled to kick off on October 2 in Philadelphia, with various stops planned across the United States throughout the month. An October 8 performance in Toronto, Canada, has also been postponed.
Yusuf rose to international fame in the 1960s with hits like “Morning Has Broken.” He put his music career on hold for two decades after converting to Islam in the late 1970s, before returning to secular music in the 2000s.