Howard Campbell

Former Third World drummer, Willie Stewart, has described Stephen “Cat” Coore as a “musical genius like no other”, crediting the iconic guitarist with helping to change the course of reggae with his unique approach to playing and production.

Coore died in Kingston on January 18 at age 69. He co-founded Third World in 1973 with keyboardist Ibo Cooper, after both had left the Inner Circle band.

“His guitar solos were electrifying, dem reach straight to yuh heart! And his cello spoke directly to the soul,” Stewart, who was a Third World member from 1976 to 1997, told Observer Online. “I remember fondly the last two times we shared a stage together, at my show Rhythms of Africa in 2023, and later that year at the celebration of Ibo’s life. And even after all the years, the music was still magical. Same vibration. Same spirit. Same fire. Same love.”

Coore, Cooper, Stewart, percussionist Irvin “Carrot” Jarrett, lead singer/rhythm guitarist Bunny Rugs, and bassist Richie Daley, comprised the classic Third World lineup that recorded hit songs like Irie Ites, Now That We Found Love, Try Jah Love, Lagos Jump, Girl From Hiroshima and Always Around.

Stewart and Daley are the only survivors from that cast.

The London-born Stewart is the younger brother of famed bandleader Byron Lee. He knew Coore from their time as students at Wolmer’s Boys’ High School and Priory, when they played in bands.

“Cat was in Alley Cats in Barbican, while I was in Visions in Liguanea and Ibo was in Riddims in Mona. We all transitioned to Inner Circle and that began a journey that would shape our lives forever,” Stewart recalled. “From there, the idea of Third World was formed, a band that would go on to revolutionise reggae, blending it fearlessly with pop and funk and carrying Jamaican music to the global stage.”

Third World’s fusion of reggae, rock, funk and Rhythm and Blues borrowed from acts like  The Wailers, Santana and Earth, Wind & Fire. It caught the attention of stars such as Stevie Wonder, who co-wrote Try Jah Love.

Stewart honoured Coore at the 2023 Rhythms Of Africa show in South Florida. That event,  which celebrated Third World’s 50th anniversary, heard them playing some of the band’s songs.

“Today, I send my deepest condolences to his wife, his children Shiah, Kanna, Stephen, and Ashley, and to everyone who held him near and dear. Cat has now crossed over and joined our other founding brothers, Ibo, Carrot and Bunny Rugs, who have gone into the Dreamland we played and sang about so many years ago,” said Stewart. “His work will never die. His impact can never be overshadowed. He lives on his music, through his children, and forever set in the culture of Jamaica as a Reggae Ambassador for life.”