Stephen “Cat” Coore, Third World founder, dies ^{CEFR B2}

Stephen “Cat” Coore, a founder and long-time musical director of Third World, died on January 18, 2026. He is survived by his wife, Donna Feltis-Coore, and their children Shiah, Kanna, Stephen Jr., and Ashley.

Coore was born in Kingston on April 6, 1956, into a well-known middle-class family. His father, the Honourable David Hilton Coore, served as Deputy Prime Minister of Jamaica from 1972 to 1976. His mother, Rita Angela Innis Coore, trained in music and broadcasting at McGill University and the Royal College of Music and taught him cello; he played “The Swan” for Princess Anne and won a silver medal at the Jamaica Festival when he was ten.

He began playing guitar at 12, joined the Alley Cats and became lead guitarist of Inner Circle at 13, touring for four years. In 1973, at 17, he formed Third World with Colin Leslie and Michael “Ibo” Cooper. The band signed with Island Records and released Third World in 1976, which included a cover of "Satta Massagana." They played at the Smile Jamaica concert in 1976 and released hits such as “96° in the Shade” (1977) and “Now That We’ve Found Love” (1978).

Third World built an international audience in the late 1970s and early 1980s, especially in the United States and the United Kingdom. After Bob Marley’s death in 1981 the band performed at Reggae Sunsplash with Rita Marley and Stevie Wonder, who wrote their song “Try Jah Love.” Coore helped shape the band’s reggae-fusion sound by mixing soul, funk, rock and classical elements, including cello.

Coore received many honours, including nine Grammy nominations and the Order of Distinction of Jamaica in 2005. He also held keys to several cities and won awards from JaRia, Jamaica Jazz and Blues, Reggae Sumfest, Island Records and IRAWMA. Tributes came from Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Culture Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange, Opposition Leader Mark Golding, fellow musicians and fans. Community groups remembered his humour, warmth and influence, and his son Shiah followed him into music as a bass player.