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Catherine Vernice Glover, famed Prince collaborator, dies at 60

Stacy M. Brown/NNPA Newswire | 10/3/2024, 6 p.m.
Catherine Vernice Glover, known to Prince fans worldwide as “Cat,” the renowned dancer, choreographer and singer who rose to fame …
Prince performs with dancer Cat Glover in Frankfurt, Germany on Aug. 27, 1988. Photo by AP Photo/Udo Weitz

Catherine Vernice Glover, known to Prince fans worldwide as “Cat,” the renowned dancer, choreographer and singer who rose to fame through her collaborations with Prince, has died at 60. Glover’s passing was announced via her official Facebook page on Oct. 1, 2024. No cause of death was provided.

Glover’s career was closely intertwined with Prince during the height of his success in the late 1980s. She played a significant role in the creation of albums such as “Sign o’ the Times” and, “Lovesexy.” Her most memorable moment may have been her rap on Prince’s hit single “Alphabet St.”

Born July 23, 1964, in Chicago, Glover was one of six children.

She began dancing at age 5, attending Esmond Elementary and Morgan Park High Schools. Inspired by Prince, she pursued her dreams of stardom.

“The only thing that got me through my depression was listening to Prince’s album ‘Dirty Mind,’” she told The Chicago Crusader in 2016. “I knew I had to meet him.”

Glover gained national attention as part of the dance duo Pat and Cat on the hit TV show Star Search, where she and Patrick Allen earned seven wins and two perfect scores. The exposure led to her big break when Prince invited her to join his band in 1986.

Her talent and Prince’s creative vision blended seamlessly.

Glover choreographed and danced in the 1987 concert film “Sign o’ the Times” and was a key figure on the “Lovesexy” tour.

Glover reflected on her first encounter with Prince, recalling a chance meeting in a Los Angeles hotel elevator during his “Dirty Mind” tour. Their formal introduction came later through mutual friends. “One night, I was invited to a dinner at Prince’s place,” she recalled. “He played ‘Housequake,’ and from that moment, everything changed.”

Her time with Prince was full of memorable moments, but it wasn’t without challenges.

While rehearsing for the “Sign o’ the Times” tour, Glover suffered a severe ankle injury but persevered through the pain, performing night after night. Glover parted ways with Prince’s band in 1989 to pursue her own endeavors, releasing the EP “Catwoman.”