Catherine ‘Cat Glover’, one of Prince’s best-known dancers, has died (Picture: Getty)
Performer and choreographer Catherine Vernice ‘Cat’ Glover, who worked closely with Prince in the late 1980s, has died aged 60.
Her family announced the tragic news on her official Facebook page on Tuesday.
‘It’s with great sadness that we formally announce the passing of Catherine Vernice Glover- AKA “Cat.” Please allow her children, family and friends privacy at this difficult time,’ the statement read.
Currently, no cause of death has been revealed.
The dancer, backing vocalist and choreographer collaborated closely with the late artist – who himself died in 2016 aged 57 from an accidental overdose of fentanyl – on his albums such as Sign o’ the Times and related music videos and concert films.
She also rapped on his 1988 hit single Alphabet St from his album Lovesexy.
‘Rest in peace, Cat Glover — dancer and choreographer who got a perfect score on “Star Search” and then performed with Prince, rapping on “Cindy C” and “Alphabet St.”
She performed and worked with Prince throughout the 1980s (Picture: Redferns)
The late choreographer was part of the band from 1986 to 1989 (Picture: Getty)
‘Loved seeing her twice on that Lovesexy tour in ‘88 and ‘89–even playing basketball w/ Prince on stage!’ @mbaram wrote on X.
‘Cat made an impression on EVERYONE in the purple world. Prince’s SOTT + Lovesexy live shows would not have been the same without her fire + powerful movement,’ @IAmMissTLC added.
‘Sad to hear Cat Glover has crossed the bridge. Absolute force of nature on Prince’s Sign O the Times and Lovesexy tours,’ @griff_est88 echoed.
‘Cat Glover, Prince’s cohort/choreographer/dancer/rapper has left us. The Sign O’ The Times / Lovesexy era wouldn’t have been the same without her. Alphabet Street wouldn’t have been the same without her. A true force,’ @mrgodfrey echoed.
‘It is heartbreaking that Cat Glover passed away. She was a dear friend to me. She was so funny, beautiful, feisty, smart and talented. I liked the way she danced and loved her choreography,’ @angelique_soul posted.
Glover first rose to fame on the talent show Star Search opposite partner Patrick Allen.
She first heard about Prince after he released his album Dirty Mind in 1980.
Tributes have started coming in for Cat (Picture: Redferns)
‘The only thing that got me through my depression from everything was listening to Prince’s album, Dirty Mind. I knew I had to meet him. That was me talking to my inner self,’ she recalled in a 2016 interview with Chicago Crusader.
She eventually met Prince at Dingbats Club on the Near North Side at the age of 18 and she eventually joined Prince’s band in December 1986 where she worked with him until 1989.
In the same interview she revealed that earlier that year she had been in a 30-day coma when Prince reached out to her and they were able to talk to one another.
‘He said a lot of people reached out to him. He had my back. He was there all the time….’ she said.
‘I’ve always idolized him, and it’s not an intimate thing, it’s just… he’s great. I don’t think there’s anyone that can be as creative as he can – dance, play all his instruments,’ Glover said about the pop-rock legend in a 1987 Video Soul interview.
‘I’ve actually sat in the studio and watched him put down everything by himself, and I’ve just gone, “My God, he’s incredible, he really is.”‘
She eventually left the band in 1989 to pursue a solo career – and reportedly in part due to Prince’s focus on the Batman soundtrack – and shortly after released her EP Catwoman which ended up being her final major solo music project.
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