Cat Stevens is cancelling his New York performance just weeks after announcing a six-city tour starting in Toronto on Dec. 1.

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, said 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. He will instead perform in Philadelphia on Dec. 4.

Other cities on the Peace Train ... Late Again tour include Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles.