Here are some interesting facts about Scottish singer-songwriter and folk-rock musician - Al Stewart:
(Photo: Fanart.TV)
= He was born Alastair Ian Stewart on September 5, 1945, in Glasgow, Scotland.
= He moved to Wimborne, Dorset, England, with his mother after his father died in a 1945 plane crash.
= Stewart attended Wycliffe College, Gloucestershire, as a boarder.
= At age 19, Stewart moved to London, pursuing a career in music.
= In 1965, he performed at "Bunjies" Coffee House and became MC at "Les Cousins" folk club, where he shared the stage with Paul Simon and Cat Stevens.
= Paul Simon became a mentor and a friend to Stewart during Simon's time in London in 1965, while he was separated from his musical partner Art Garfunkel.
= Stewart's first recording was on Jackson C. Frank's debut album from 1965, playing guitar on "Yellow Walls".
= Stewart's first single, "The Elf," was released in 1966, featuring guitar work from Jimmy Page.
= His debut album, "Bedsitter Images", was released in 1967, showcasing his early folk style. It had an ambitious production, including a 35-piece orchestra.
= On November 3, 1967, Stewart performed at the Royal Festival Hall, London, marking his transition from small folk clubs to larger venues.
= Stewart’s 1969 album "Love Chronicles" featured the first use of the F-word on a mainstream album and had contributions from members of "Fairport Convention" under pseudonyms, Jimmy Page and Richard Thompson.
= In 1970, Stewart performed at the inaugural Glastonbury Festival.
= Stewart's third album, "Zero She Flies", was released in 1970, marking his first chart success in the UK.
= Stewart released "Orange" in 1972. It was written after a tumultuous breakup with his girlfriend and muse, Mandi, and was very much a transitional album, including "The News from Spain" with its progressive rock overtones featuring Rick Wakeman on piano.
= His 1973 album, "Past, Present and Future", marked the beginning of his focus on historical themes and included "Nostradamus," which gained popularity on US radio.
= Stewart's "Modern Times" (1975) was his first collaboration with producer Alan Parsons and featured the hit "Carol."
= In 1976, Stewart achieved international success with "Year of the Cat", which reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200.
= The title track from "Year of the Cat" became his most famous song, reaching No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
= Stewart followed up with "Time Passages" (1978), another platinum album, featuring the hit title track, which peaked at No. 7 in the U.S.
= In 1980, Stewart released "24 Carrots", which included the hit single "Midnight Rocks" (No. 24 US).
= Stewart released the politically themed album "Russians and Americans" in 1984, reflecting Cold War tensions.
= In 1993, Stewart dedicated his album "Famous Last Words" to his late collaborator Peter Wood.
= Stewart collaborated with former "Wings" guitarist Laurence Juber on the concept album "Between the Wars" (1995), focusing on major historical events between 1918 and 1939.
= In 2000, he released "Down in the Cellar," an album themed around wine.
= Stewart's 2005 album, "A Beach Full of Shells", continued his storytelling tradition, with songs about historical figures and events.
= In 2008, he released "Sparks of Ancient Light", which included songs about William McKinley and Hanno the Navigator.
= Stewart and guitarist Dave Nachmanoff released the live album "Uncorked" in 2009.
= In 2010, Stewart performed at the Glastonbury Festival's 40th anniversary.
= In 2017, Stewart received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
= Stewart has released 16 studio and three live albums and workes with many artists such: Peter White, Alan Parsons, Jimmy Page, Richard Thompson, Rick Wakeman, Francis Monkman, Tori Amos, Tim Renwick, Dave Nachmanoff Laurence Juber and more.
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