John McCarthy
KINGSTON — Legendary Jamaican musician Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore died suddenly on Sunday evening, leaving family, friends and fans across the world in mourning.
Coore, born April 6, 1956, had, for more than 50 years, been guitarist and cellist for iconic reggae band Third World.
In a release early this morning, his family made the announcement of his passing.
Coore was a founding member and musical director of Third World, whose pioneering fusion of reggae, soul, funk, pop, and rock helped shape the reggae-fusion sound and propel Jamaican music onto the global stage. Under his musical leadership, Third World achieved international acclaim with enduring classics such as Now That We’ ve Found Love, 96 Degrees in the Shade, and Try Jah Love, becoming one of Jamaica’s longest-running and most successful bands.
Celebrated for his exceptional musicianship, compositional brilliance, and deep musical knowledge, Coore was widely regarded as a cultural ambassador who elevated reggae music and inspired generations of artists at home and abroad.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to Jamaican culture and the creative arts, Coore was awarded membership in the Order of Distinction (OD) by the Government of Jamaica, honouring his decades of service to music and his role in promoting Jamaica’s cultural legacy worldwide.
He leaves behind his wife Lisa, his children, Shiah, Kanna, Stephen, and Ashley, his grandchildren, as well as extended family, bandmates, colleagues, and countless fans across the globe.
