Prince fans and those in the late icon’s sphere knew well the tantalizing and provocative dance moves and background vocals of Catherine Vernice Glover. Recognized worldwide as Cat, the extraordinary dancer, choreographer, and singer who achieved legendary status through her collaborations with Prince, Glover died at 60.
Glover’s death was announced via her official Facebook page, where a brief statement asked for privacy during this difficult time. No cause of death was provided.
Glover’s career is inseparably linked with the “Purple Genius,” particularly during his creative peak in the late 1980s. As a key figure in his band, she contributed her energy and talent to unforgettable albums like “Sign o’ the Times” and “Lovesexy,” helping shape the visual and performance styles of the era. Her most memorable contribution may have been providing the rap on Prince’s hit single “Alphabet St.,” but her influence stretched far beyond that.
Born in Chicago on July 23, 1964, Glover was one of six children. She began dancing at age five and attended Esmond Elementary and Morgan Park High Schools. Her love of dance was immediate and undeniable, but her admiration for Prince ignited her professional dreams.
“The only thing that got me through my depression from everything was listening to Prince’s album Dirty Mind,” she told The Chicago Crusader in 2016 after the legendary music maker’s shocking death. “I knew I had to meet him. That was me talking to my inner self.”
Determined to carve out a path to stardom, Glover’s big break came through the hit television show “Star Search,” where she performed as part of the dance duo Pat and Cat alongside Patrick Allen. Their dynamic routines earned them seven victories and two perfect scores, though they ultimately lost in the finals. The exposure, however, skyrocketed Glover’s reputation.
Rock icon David Bowie took notice, but her musical hero, Prince, would change her life forever when he invited her to join his band in December 1986.
Glover’s talent and Prince’s vision meshed perfectly. She choreographed and danced in the 1987 groundbreaking concert film “Sign o’ the Times.” She became a central figure on the “Lovesexy tour,” where she also famously rapped on “Alphabet St.”
