Information Americas, New YORK, NY, Mon. Jan. 19, 2026: Reggae has misplaced certainly one of its most achieved architects with the dying of Stephen “Cat” Coore, co-founder, guitarist, cellist, and musical director of Third World, who handed away on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, on the age of 69. He was {one of the} two surviving members of the unique Third World Band.
Coore’s household confirmed the sudden passing of the celebrated musician, who was extensively considered certainly one of Jamaica’s most progressive instrumentalists and arrangers. In accordance with experiences, he died following a seizure and pneumonia. A husband, father, grandfather, and cultural ambassador, Coore helped form a sound that carried reggae past its conventional borders and onto the worldwide stage.
Born April 6, 1956, Coore was educated in classical music however grounded in Jamaica’s wealthy musical traditions. That uncommon mixture would turn into central to Third World’s id. As a founding member, he performed a defining function in mixing reggae with soul, funk, pop, jazz, and rock – a fusion that distinguished the band from its friends and broadened reggae’s worldwide enchantment.
Fashioned within the early Nineteen Seventies, Third World emerged throughout a pivotal period in Jamaican music. The band rapidly earned recognition for its musical sophistication, instrumental depth, and crossover sensibility. Underneath Coore’s musical course, Third World produced a list of tolerating hits, together with Now That We’ve Discovered Love, 96 Levels within the Shade, Strive Jah Love, and Rhythm of Life. These songs helped place the group as certainly one of Jamaica’s longest-running and most profitable bands internationally.
Coore’s musicianship was central to that success. Equally adept on guitar and cello, he introduced melodic complexity and structural self-discipline to Third World’s preparations. His background allowed the band to experiment with out shedding reggae’s rhythmic core – a steadiness that proved essential to its longevity.
Third World toured extensively throughout Europe, North America, Africa, and the Caribbean, sharing levels with among the world’s most influential artists and introducing reggae-fusion to new audiences. The band supported The Jackson 5 throughout their historic go to to Jamaica and later collaborated with world figures together with Stevie Marvel, additional cementing their worldwide stature.
In recognition of his contribution to Jamaican tradition and the inventive arts, Coore was awarded the Order of Distinction, (OD) by the Authorities of Jamaica in 2005 -one of the nation’s highest honors. He was nominated 9 instances for a Grammy however by no means gained.
Coore’s passing marks one other vital chapter within the gradual lack of Third World’s authentic architects. Over the previous decade, the band has mourned the deaths of a number of foundational members who helped outline its sound and course. Lead vocalist William “Bunny Rugs” Clarke, whose voice turned synonymous with the group’s world success, died in 2014. Keyboardist Michael “Ibo” Cooper, a founding member and early inventive power, handed away in 2023. Percussionist Irvin “Carrot” Jarrett, a part of the band’s early life, died in 2018.
Collectively, these musicians formed a sound that was each unmistakably Jamaican and universally accessible – a uncommon achievement that allowed Third World to transcend style and technology.
Regardless of lineup adjustments over the many years, Third World remained lively, recording and performing effectively into the twenty first century. The group obtained a number of Grammy nominations, lifetime achievement awards, and worldwide recognition for its enduring affect on reggae and world well-liked music.
Stephen “Cat” Coore is survived by his spouse Lisa; his youngsters Shiah, Kanna, Stephen, and Ashley; his grandchildren; and a large circle of household, bandmates, colleagues, and admirers internationally.
As tributes proceed to pour in from Jamaica and the worldwide music group, Coore’s legacy endures – not solely within the songs that outlined an period, however within the sound that helped carry reggae into the world.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, posted on X that “Cat Coore was a cultural ambassador within the truest sense, representing Jamaica with dignity, excellence, and pleasure. His contribution to the inventive arts enriched our nationwide id and impressed generations of musicians at residence and overseas.”
“Might his music proceed to stay on, reminding us of who we’re and the ability of Jamaican creativity to unite the world,” he added.
Jamaica’s minister of tradition, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, added: “Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore was a novel expertise and a real Reggae Ambassador. A pioneering co-founder of Third World and former member of Interior Circle, his music helped carry Jamaica’s sound to the world.”
“To get up and be taught that Stephen Cat Coore, has simply made the transition – that may be a bitter capsule to swallow. RIP,” the band Metal Pulse posted on X.
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