Gone Too Soon: Remembering the Career of Singer and Dancer Cat Glover – Who Helped Shape Prince’s Legacy

Cat Glover, the singer, dancer and choreographer who worked with Prince during his late 1980s pomp, has died. She was 60.

Glover’s death was announced on her official Facebook page. “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 short statement said. No cause of death was given.

Glover is indelibly linked to Prince and worked with the late artist on a number of projects, including on the albums Sign o’ the Times and Lovesexy and their related music videos, concert films and tours. She also famously provided the rap on Prince’s single “Alphabet St.”

Born Catherine Vernice Glover on July 23, 1964, in Chicago, Illinois. One of six children, Glover attended Esmond Elementary and Morgan Park High Schools. She began dancing aged five, and it would quickly become a lifelong passion. Prince would also become a passion and Glover made it her life’s goal to meet the singer.

“I first heard about Prince after his album, Dirty Mind. I was living on my own on the North Side of Chicago,” Glover told the Chicago Crusader. “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.”

Hoping to attract Prince’s attention, Glover got her big break as a dancer on the talent show Star Search, which was then hosted by Ed McMahon. Performing as part of a dance duo known as Pat and Cat, with Patrick Allen, Glover won over the audience with their high octane moves. Pat and Cat won seven out of 8 times on Star Search, with two perfect scores, but lost the finals and the $100,000 prize.

Her success on Star Search saw Glover’s stock as a dancer rise, and David Bowie reached out to work with her. But it was her hero Prince who also wanted to collaborate, and she joined his band in December 1986.

With Prince’s guidance and help, Glover reached the zenith of her dance career. She choreographed and appeared with Prince in the 1987 concert film Sign o’ the Times, based on the album of the same name. She featured on as a dancer and backup singer on the Lovesexy Tour in 1988 and also famously provided the rap to the album’s hit single “Alphabet St.”

In 1989, she quit Prince’s band and struck out on her own. Glover released the EP Catwoman that same year, it would remain her only released music.

Glover’s later years saw her work extensively as a dancer and choreographer. There was a brief reunion with Prince on 1994’s The Black Album, with Glover providing the rap on the song “Cindy C.”