A Tribute to Cat Coore

A man with dreadlocks and a white turban playing an electric guitar on stage, with a keyboard and microphones nearby.
Two men playing guitar at an outdoor gathering, surrounded by trees and a wooden structure, with other musicians in the background.
Two men with dreadlocks and sunglasses standing behind a bar, one wearing a turquoise long sleeve shirt and the other wearing a light-colored lace shirt and headscarf, with bottles of alcohol and a drink on the bar.
Two older men with dreadlocks and glasses, one with a red bandana and the other with a black bandana, engaged in a music performance or conversation at night, with one holding a microphone. There are other people in the background and colorful lights.
Musicians performing on stage at a concert with audience taking photos. One man plays guitar and another man, wearing a red headscarf, plays bass guitar.
Two men with gray beards and sunglasses standing behind a bar, one with a black bandana and the other with a straw hat, posing for a photo on a boat or beachside bar, with bottles and glasses in the background.
Two people posing for a photo in a lively music venue, one wearing a rainbow-colored knit hat and the other with long, blonde dreadlocks, with a band performing in the background.

“There’s no other in the Universe and there’ll never be a next… Moonsplash Weekend, we will continue to honour and celebrate the legacy of the Cat Coore, Johnny Tiger, Cat, Roy, Unc!”

- Olaide Banks

“The world lost a legend, the Planet Dune lost one of its greatest ambassadors, and the Banks clan lost a chosen family member. Bankie and Stephen “Cat” Coore, OD met when the Roots & Herbs and Third World played Reggae Sunsplash in 1983, and this was the beginning of a unique friendship and collaboration that spanned over four decades.

Planet Dune was Cat Coore’s favorite Bankie song. He loved the tune, but he also loved the fact that Bankie had created his own planet where musicians were given unlimited artistic freedom. Cat was Dune royalty onstage and off, performing at Moonsplash with Third World, the Moonsplash All-Stars, Omari, Olaide, Sheriff Bob, and just about any other band that had the good sense to let him join in. He was also the most enthusiastic person in any audience and was unfailingly supportive of other musicians. He was beloved by all who knew him.

May he Rest in Power, and condolences to all who are grieving.” - The Filmmakers of “Bankie Banx: King of the Dune” Documentary