Tributes pour in for musician Stephen “Cat” Coore

By: Natalie Campbell and Myesha Broadie

Tributes continue to pour in for the late Jamaican musician Stephen “Cat” Coore.

He died yesterday at age 69.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness, Opposition Leader Mark Golding and Entertainment Minister Olivia Grange are among those paying tribute to the founding member and musical director of reggae band Third World.

In a post on X, Dr. Holness described Cat Coore as a towering figure in Jamaica’s cultural history and one of the architects of  the island’s global musical legacy.

He said as a founding member and musical director of Third World, Cat Coore helped shape a sound that carried Jamaica’s rhythm, spirit, and message to every corner of the world.

In recognition of his extraordinary service to Jamaican culture, Cat Coore was awarded the Order of Distinction, honouring a lifetime dedicated to music and nationbuilding through the arts.

And, Mr. Golding hailed Cat Coore as a phenomenal musician, whose contribution to Jamaican popular music over five decades is enormous.

Mr. Golding said on a personal level, he and Cat Coore shared interests in music and cricket, and enjoyed good conversations. 

The Opposition Leader said he last saw him at the University of the West Indies Chapel in Kingston and warmly embraced, with promises that they would soon talk.

Golding said the news this morning of his passing is therefore all the more shocking.

He expressed condolences to Cat Coore’s wife, family, friends, musical colleagues and fans.

And Entertainment  Minister Olivia Grange has hailed Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore as a unique talent who could truly be described as  ‘the reggae ambassador’.

She said 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 longestrunning and most successful bands.

Ms. Grange says it should also not be forgotten that before he cofounded Third World, ‘Cat’ Coore was an integral part of the successful reggae group, Inner Circle. 

She adds that it is no surprise that he was the recipient of a number of awards including the Order of Distinction. 

The minister says he will  be missed but there is no doubt that his legacy will live on and continue to inspire current and future generations of musicians.