By Yasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer—

Cat Coore—

Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore, founding member of the Reggae Ambassadors, Third World, is back in hospital, having had a “cardiac situation” following recent oesophageal surgery at The University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).

A text message making the rounds is asking for prayers for the renowned guitarist and cellist.

“Please send up prayers for Cat Coore of Third World Band. After having been rushed to hospital only two to three weeks ago because of a tear in his oesophagus (which required the opening of both his chest and stomach, but a successful operation) he has now suffered cardiac arrest and is back in ICU at UWI,” the WhatsApp message explained.

Calls to Coore’s phone went unanswered: however, a source close to him shared that the veteran musician was re-admitted to the hospital and is responding positively to treatment.

“He had a procedure and subsequently picked up an infection, which led to a lung collapse and a cardiac situation. He was put on a ventilator at the ICU and is responding very positively to treatment,” the source stated.

Prior to his hospitalization, Coore has been quite busy. Among his recent performances was with Third World at New York City’s Sony Hall on November 12, for the Issa Trust Foundation’s (ITF) For The Children charity gala. The ITF raised US$417,000 from the event.

“We are ambassadors for the Issa Trust Foundation, and Third World is front and center in helping to build the Mary Issa Health Centre in Richmond, St Ann. We are all the way strong with them on this,” Coore told The Gleaner in an interview last month.

Spanning more than four decades, and with nine Grammy nominations, Third World is one of the most consistent reggae bands and is listed among Jamaica’s most popular crossover acts with international audiences.

Third World started when keyboard player Michael ‘Ibo’ Cooper and Coore, who had originally played in The Alley Cats and then Inner Circle, subsequently left to form their own band along with Inner Circle singer Milton ‘Prilly’ Hamilton. They recruited bassist Richard Daley, formerly of Ken Boothe’s band and Tomorrow’s Children, and added drummer Carl Barovier and former Inner Circle percussionist Irvin ‘Carrot’ Jarrett before making their live debut in early 1974.

The band, which enjoys sold-out tours and a vibrant and loyal fan base across the world, owns a catalogue which is replete with hit songs such as Now That We Found Love, 96 Degrees in the Shade, Try Jah Love and Reggae Ambassadors.