Al Stewart
Folk-rock musician Al Stewart is a musical legend across the world, known for his raw, honest lyrics and embrace of historical themes that sets him apart in a sea of talented songwriters. Coming to fame during the folk revival in England in the 1960s and 70s, Stewart captivated American audiences with hits such as “Year of the Cat” and “Time Passages.” Al Stewart worked with and influenced some of the greatest musicians of our time, from Yoko Ono to Jimmy Page and Paul Simon.
Born in Scotland, Al Stewart bought his first guitar from the future Police guitarist Andy Summers. Stewart got his start playing at the Les Cousins folk club in London alongside other up-and-coming artists, such as Cat Stevens, Van Morrison, and Paul Simon. Al Stewart's first record, “The Elf,” was a single released in 1966, featuring the guitarist Jimmy Page, who would later form The Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin. In 1970, the up-and-coming folk rocker performed in the first ever Glastonbury Festival. In 1972, Stewart’s success was beginning to grow. That year, the singer-songwriter released Orange, an album written after a difficult breakup with his girlfriend. This was one of the first albums to include references to historical themes, a style that Stewart would continue to incorporate into later albums. As the musician would later say, "No one else was doing it, and no one is today. The best thing about writing a song about Lord Grenville is that Justin Timberlake isn't going to steal it!"
By 1978 Al Stewart had become a major star in America with the release of Year of the Cat and Time Passages two years later. In 1995, Stewart was invited to return to the Glastonbury Festival for its 25th anniversary, marking an incredible moment in his long career. His latest album, Sparks of Ancient Light, was released in 2008 to critical acclaim. Last April, Al Stewart received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, celebrating an illustrious career as one of the most influential folk artists of all time. Join Al Stewart at The Lyric for an intimate performance with one of the greatest artists of a generation.
