Apostacy

Rock stars seem to have it all: incredible wealth, the adoration of millions of fans, a high-flying lifestyle of private jets and exclusive parties. But the fame, fortune and hectic lifestyle leave many stars feeling empty and searching for meaning.

Don't Think Twice
Although he grew up Jewish, Bob Dylan became a born-again Christian in the late 1970s. When touring in late 1979 and early 1980, Dylan would not play his older, secular works, and he delivered declarations of his faith from the stage. Dylan's Christianity was unpopular with some fans and musicians, but he didn't seem to care. Nearly fifteen years later, Dylan was saying that he doesn’t believe in any organized religion and that music was his spirituality

Morning Has Broken
The folk-pop star who became famous as Cat Stevens converted to Islam in 1977 and changed his name to Yusuf Islam the next year. Increasingly dissatisfied with the spiritual rewards of pop stardom, Stevens partially credits his Muslim conversion to a near-death experience.  In 1979, he auctioned all his guitars for charity and left his music career to devote himself to educational and philanthropic causes in the Muslim community.  In 2006, he returned to pop music – releasing his first album of new pop songs in 28 years.  He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.

When Doves Cry
Prince was raised a Seventh-Day Adventist, but the R&B/rock/pop superstar became a Jehovah's Witness in 2001.  His new faith kept him from drinking, swearing, and voting.  He gave up drugs, became a vegan, and no longer played any of the music that made his career famous.

Long Tall Sally
After helping bring rock n' roll into existence, Little Richard put it all aside to focus on his born-again Christianity.  In 1957, when he was at his most popular point, Little Richard quit rock and roll music. He went to Bible college and became a church preacher. He then went on to play only Gospel music for many years.

Coming Undone
After spending 12 years making Korn, and being ranked at No. 26 of Guitar World's 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time, Brian Welch explained: "I was walking one day, just doing my Rock & Roll thing making millions of bucks, you know success and everything, addicted to drugs and then the next day I had Revelation of Christ and I was like, everything changes right now!"

Free As A Bird
George Harrisson was often referred to as "the quiet Beatle". Harrison embraced Indian mysticism and helped broaden the horizons of his fellow Beatles as well as their Western audience by incorporating Indian instrumentation in their music.  Harrison's use of psychedelic drugs encouraged his path to meditation and Hinduism. He commented: "For me, it was like a flash. The first time I had acid, it just opened up something in my head that was inside of me, and I realized a lot of things. I didn't learn them because I already knew them, but that happened to be the key that opened the door to reveal them. From the moment I had that, I wanted to have it all the time – these thoughts about the yogis and the Himalayas, and Ravi's music."  His drug usage led to his separation from his wife. In line with the Hindu yoga tradition, Harrison became a vegetarian in the late 1960s.  After The Beatles had stopped touring in August 1966, each of the members, to varying degrees, began to pursue his own musical tastes.