Al Stewart(IV)

Quirky and talented folk-rock singer/songwriter Al Stewart was born on September 9, 1945 in Glasgow, Scotland and grew up in the coastal resort town of Bournemouth, Dorset, England. Stewart began his musical career playing guitar in Tony Blackburn's band the Sabres and went on to become a solo performer in the 60s London folk club scene. Stewart's 1966 debut single "The Elf" was a flop. He released his first album "Bedsitter Images" in 1967. The eighteen minute titular track on the 1969 album "Love Chronicles" stirred up some controversy by featuring a swear word in the lyrics. Stewart's initial albums largely consisted of introspective confessional love songs. Al's 1974 album "Past, Present & Future" established his still ongoing fascination with historical tales. In fact, a majority of Stewart's subsequent songs center on history and the past. Al scored a major Top 10 hit with the lovely and haunting song "Year of the Cat" in 1976. The equally catchy and memorable follow-up song "Time Passages" was also a Top 10 hit in 1978. Alas, Stewart's albums throughout the 80's and 90's were commercially unsuccessful, but he has nonetheless retained a strong and loyal international cult following. Moreover, Al still continues to tour and perform all over Europe and the United Sates. Outside of music, Stewart is also an avid wine collector. More recently Al Stewart released the album "Sparks of Ancient Light" in September, 2008.