By Em Casalena
While many rock stars strive to extend their fame, some classic rock icons chose to step away from the limelight at the height of their careers. Here are a few notable artists who opted to leave the music scene when they still had plenty of opportunities ahead of them.
Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, was a prominent rock and folk singer-songwriter during his time. He gained fame with his debut album, Matthew And Son (1967), and went on to achieve Triple Platinum status with Tea For The Tillerman (1970) and Teaser And The Firecat (1971). After converting to Islam in 1977, he decided to leave his music career to focus on philanthropy, only returning to secular music more than two decades later.
The story of Syd Barrett is a tragic one. As a founding member of the iconic band Pink Floyd, he was the creative force behind their debut album, The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn (1967). Unfortunately, due to mental health struggles and psychedelic substance use, Barrett departed from the band in 1968. By 1974, he withdrew from the music industry altogether, living a reclusive life until his passing in 2006. One can only speculate the incredible music he might have created had he received more support.
Peter Green, the founder of Fleetwood Mac, significantly contributed to the band’s early blues-rock sound in the late 1960s. He is celebrated as a pioneer of the British blues movement. However, in 1970, at the peak of the band’s success in Europe and the UK, Green made the decision to leave Fleetwood Mac. Various rumors surround his departure, including claims that an LSD experience at a party in Germany led to his mental decline, while others suggest he simply wanted to pursue a solo career. Regardless, his time with Fleetwood Mac was over.
