WITH his quiet demeanour and low-key entrance at the APRA awards last night, you would be forgiven for forgetting Yusuf Islam is a music legend.
The man formerly known as Cat Stevens turned up early to the awards with his son and was keen to congratulate his fellow musicians on their achievements.
He presented the first award of the night to Boy and Bear for Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year.
The band was more excited about meeting Islam than winning any award.
The other star of the night was Wally de Backer, aka Gotye, who won three awards including Most Played Australian Work of the Year for Somebody That I Used To Know.
“I’m genuinely surprised,” he said of the worldwide hit song.
“The song’s been played a lot, I know – I was starting to get self conscious.
“Sorry for those people who listen to commercial radio and had to listen to it 50 times a day at their workplace.”
A highlight of the APRA Awards every year is the reworked performances of all the songs nominated for Song of the Year.
Kate Miller-Heidke had the crowd in stitches with her rendition of You Really Should Consider Having Sex With A Bearded Man – featuring a bearded tambourine – while Tex Perkins broke down in a fit of laughter while performing Kimbra’s part in Somebody That I Used To Know alongside Tina Arena.