Former World Party frontman Karl Wallinger has passed away aged 66 his publicist has announced, with no cause of death given.
The Welsh-born musician and composer was also a member of 80s band Waterboys and performed on their first three albums, before forming his own group in 1986.
Karl talents saw him work with the likes of David Bowie, Peter Gabriel and write a whole host of hits including Ship Of Fools and She’s The One which appeared on the band’s 1997 album Egyptology.
The later went on to be covered by Robbie William’s two-years later and reached No 1 in the UK single charts and bagging a BRIT Award.
A statment read: ‘ Karl Wallinger, the Welsh-born musician and composer better known as the singular face behind World Party, dies Sunday March 10’.
‘Presciently ahead of his time wirh songs such as Sip of Fools and Put A Message In The Box and Is it like Today, in addition to the magic of She’s The One and The Waterboys’ Whole Of the Moon, Wallinger was 66′.
It continued: ‘Karl leaves behind a loving family including wife Suzie Zamit, son Louis Wallinger, daughter Nancy Zamit and two grandchildren’.
Fans and fellow musicians rushed to pay their respects on social media with The Waterboys writing: ‘Travel on well my old friend. You are one of the finest musicians I’ve ever known.’
While Tears For Fears’ Curt Smith saying: ‘Very sad news, I was a big fan of Karl’s.’
Meanwhile fans shared their condolences with one writing: ‘RIP Karl Wallinger, of the Waterboys and World Party, brief collaborator with Sinead O’Connor and Peter Gabriel. An underrated and overlooked talent. Funny, with a keen wit, and prescient take on this crazy arse world’.
While a second added: ‘Dammit. Another great voice gone. RIP’
And a third said: ‘Goodbye Karl Wallinger. I loved your music and am grateful I got to see you a couple of times’.
Someone else commented: ‘RIP Karl Wallinger – thank you for the music’.
Joined by: ‘I saw World Party exactly once at the @RoyalAlbertHall in the front row. Met Karl Wallinger at the stage door by accident. I will always be in awe of his talent as a songwriter. Goodbye Jumbo, especially, was one of those records that got me through a lot of bad days’.
Karl, who was born in Prestatyn, North Wales, and began his career as a keyboardist in numerous bands and even a brief stint as the musical director of The Rocky Horror Show.
He had a long working relationship with the late Sinead O’Connor after contributing to her debut album The Lion And The Cobra in 1987.
Karl contributed to films including Ben Stiller’s 1994 movie Reality Bites as well as contributing music to 1995’s Clueless.
He suffered a brain aneurysm in February 2001 which led to him retreating from the spotlight for five years before retuning to touring in 2006.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
