Michael “Ibo” Cooper, co-founder of Third World who died on October 12 in Kingston, Jamaica, is being remembered by colleagues as a gifted musician largely responsible for that band’s success.
Cooper, who was 71, passed away two weeks after the death of Joy, his wife of over 45 years. Arif, eldest of their four children, died in March.
A keyboardist, Cooper and guitarist Stephen “Cat” Coore formed Third World in 1973, shortly after leaving Inner Circle. Cooper, who played on some of the band’s biggest hits including ’96 Degrees in The Shade’ and ‘Now That we Found Love’, left Third World in 1997.
Third World is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary. They paid tribute to him, saying, "Walk Good Brother. God Bless your eternal soul K. Michael “Ibo” Cooper, OD JP. Your music is the soundtrack of our lives.”
Guitarist Roger Lewis, co-founder of Inner Circle, also paid tribute to Cooper whom he knew for over 50 years.
“Under the circumstances, mi nuh feel so happy especially with the passing of our fervent brother Ibo … It hit me hard as we knew each other from 12-13 years-old. He was my music mentor … anything I know within formal music, Ibo taught me … he was a mighty musical giant afraid of nothing re the music and pushed all who learned from him way past your musical boundaries. My deepest regret (is) not being closer to him in the last few years. This for us so-called music elders is the ending of a great era in Jamaican music,” said Lewis.
After leaving Third World, Cooper accepted a senior tutor role at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston. He was awarded the Order of Distinction, Jamaica’s sixth-highest honor, in 2005.
A thanksgiving service for his life will be held October 26 at the University of the West Indies Chapel in Kingston.
Written By Howard Campbell