Lifeline
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January : January 15.
The Majikat tour begins a two–month North American run in Lakeland, Fl. During the performance, magicians produce a live (caged) tiger on stage, much to the audience’s surpriseMarch : March.
Single: Banapple Gas/Ghost Town (U.S.)/Land O’Freelove & Goodbye/(I Never Wanted) To Be a Star (U.K.) The former charts poorly, the latter not at all.April : April 17.
The final leg of Majikat begins at the Koncerthus in Stockholm.May : May 26.
Following the concert at the Palacio Municipal in Barcelona, Steve fractures his right heel while leaping down a flight of hotel stairs. He finishes the tour in a cast and considerable pain.June : June 2.
As the tour party is being feted by the Athens promoter, Steve goes swimming in the Mediterranean – hoping to soothe his aching foot—and is stung by a jellyfish. The concert at Karaiskaki Stadium is the night before school exams, and so the hall is half full, which further agitates him. Following a dispirited “Father and Son,” he drops his guitar and storms off the stage, the concert summarily ended. Contractually, he must reimburse the promoter. Steve’s interest in maintaining Cat Stevens, superstar, is seriously waning.June : June 5.
After one more concert at the Alexandreon Athleticon in Thessalonica, to another near–empty hall (Greece is playing England on TV the same night), Majikat limps to a close. Steve himself pays nearly 300,000 pounds to cover the costs of the mammoth production. He never tours again.July : July 21.
On his 28th birthday, Steve is given the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam, a gift from brother David. Steve serves as executive producer on “Alpha Omega,” a concept album written by David and featuring performances by various artists. Steve sings his brother’s song “Child For a Day,” and will include the recording on his next album. A short time later, Steve visits Jerusalem where he is driven to the Dome of the Rock Mosque by Marcel Avram, his German Tour promoter. -
