by Vernon Davidson (Jamaica Observer) Jamaica lost one of its finest musicians on Thursday with the passing of Michael “Ibo” Cooper, a founding member of Third World, the band formed in the 1970s that played a major role in spreading reggae globally.
Cooper, who was 71, was ailing for some time. His death came shortly after the passing of his wife Joy within the last month, and his son, Arif, in March this year.
A brilliant keyboard player, songwriter and vocalist, Cooper was a member of Inner Circle band before co-founding Third World with guitarist Steven “Cat” Coore in 1973.
In the late 1990s Cooper left Third World and started teaching at the School of Music at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.
