Which musician retired too soon?

Tomryan:

You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but from what I've read, Cat Stevens never supported the fatwah against Rushdie. He was asked by a reporter about the fatwah, and, from what I recollect, he responded that, if the Koran were interpreted strictly, then, yes, Rushdie would die. But then he added that he did not favor strict, fundamentalist interpretations of the Koran. His major mistake was that he didn't come out and explicitly say that he was opposed to the fatwah. The reporter took his comments and twisted them so that people interpreted them to mean that he did support the fatwah. Stevens did issue a few press releases to the contrary, but by then, there was such a furor over the story that his response went ignored. And the murder of the translators had nothing to do with his comments. It was a terrorist move by fundamentalists--something that this country is all too familiar with. I can't speak to the criticism of his charity, as I never heard anything about that. I will look into it further, though. And I can't blame him for not speaking up against the Taliban. He may be principled, but he's not stupid. Ever think of what happened to those who did speak up? Let's just say, they'll never be heard from again. I have my opinion, and I do admitre the guy. He made a bold decision at the height of his fame and threw away countless millions to follow his religious convictions. I wonder how many here would do that. Would you?

Most people who have made a claim to have followed religious convictions here have been rediculed for their choice, or called narrow minded bigots. I wonder why more people don't speak up!?!

Most people who have made a claim to have followed religious convictions here have been rediculed for their choice, or called narrow minded bigots. I wonder why more people don't speak up!?!

Nate, he asked specifically how many of us would give up countless millions to follow our religious convictions, which I believe is different from simply following our religious convictions and expressing them here. Even so, why battle over it? You asked a question: which musician retired too soon? Perhaps we can maintain a respectful conversation under the umbrella of our common interests of music & audio. Just a thought, not a conviction. :-)

I began to wonder how many people are still out there recording and touring, but getting no help from the various labels. I know Arlo Guthrie is in Door County on a regular basis. Who else is still touring that I don't know anything about them?!?

Boa2 makes a good point but please allow me one more indulgence. I don't know if Stevens (Yusef Islam) is a Shiite, Sunni, or Sufi (I think the other two sects have pretty much wiped out the Sufis) but why on earth embrace a religion where your own "soul mates" will kill you for disagreeing with them?

As far as not hearing from the Taliban anymore - don't tell that to the 400,000+ dead in Sudan as Muslims from Syria, Jordan, Saudia Arabia, Eygyt, and Sudan attempt to make a Taliban society there. Taliban is very active in Pakistan and Chechnya, also. Many Chechnyans (sp?) are fighting hard to establish a Taliban style government.

Anyway, did someone say Peter Green was recording again?