The global music community is paying tribute to the extraordinary legacy of Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore, the revered Jamaican guitarist and co-founder of the iconic band Third World, who passed away on January 18 at the age of 69. Renowned for his technical precision and innovative style, Coore is being celebrated as a monumental figure in reggae history.
David Hinds, frontman for the British reggae band Steel Pulse, offered a profound eulogy, describing Coore as a ‘walking music machine.’ Hinds highlighted Coore’s unparalleled skill, noting he ‘never heard him ever play a bum note’ during their shared performances. He specifically praised the guitarist’s ‘quick and nimble’ solos on tracks like ’96 Degrees in The Shade’ and the rock-blues infusion in ‘Cold Sweat,’ which encapsulated his unique artistic identity.
The mutual admiration between these reggae pioneers was deep-rooted. Coore himself had once recalled the moment he first heard Steel Pulse’s ‘Handsworth Revolution’ at the London office of Island Records, a track that ‘blew his mind’ and signaled the arrival of a ‘special’ new act. Both Third World’s self-titled debut and Steel Pulse’s ‘Handsworth Revolution’ album were released under the same label, Island Records, cementing a shared chapter in music history.
Coore’s genius extended beyond pure reggae. His incorporation of rock-influenced riffs in anthems such as ‘Try Jah Love’ and ‘Always Around’ was instrumental in broadening Third World’s international appeal and transcending genre boundaries. This eclectic mastery earned him a prestigious place on Rolling Stone Magazine’s 2023 list of the ‘250 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time,’ ranking at number 91.
Hinds further marveled at Coore’s versatility, noting his proficiency in vocals, harmonica, bass, and cello, calling him a ‘human kaleidoscope’ of talent. This musical foundation was laid in his youth in Kingston. Born into a distinguished family, he was the son of David Coore, a former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Jamaica, and Rita Coore, a respected Trinidadian music teacher who personally instructed him in cello. Coore’s journey culminated in forming Third World with keyboardist Ibo Cooper after both departed from the Inner Circle band. The music world now mourns the loss of both legends, following Cooper’s own passing in 2023.