Cat Stevens cancels New York show, blames scalper

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Cat Stevens is canceling his New York performance just weeks after announcing a six-city tour.

Stevens said on his Facebook page Wednesday that he would not keep the New York engagement because its requirement for paper tickets has led to exorbitant resale prices.

Stevens, also known as Yusuf, the name he claimed after converting to Islam, announced earlier this month that he planned a concert tour behind the blues album he's releasing on Oct. 27. The concerts are his first series of shows in North America since 1976.

Stevens says he is a longtime supporter of paperless tickets "and avoiding scalpers," and hopes to return to New York City in the future.

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