Karl Wallinger of UK bands World Party and the Waterboys dies at 66: Reports
Welsh musician Karl Wallinger, who performed with the U.K. folk band the Waterboys in the 1980s before founding his solo musical venture, World Party, has died according to Variety and Billboard.
He was 66 years old.
His death was also announced Monday on World Party's Facebook page. "Karl Wallinger, the Welsh-born musician and composer better known as the singular force behind World Party, died Sunday March 10," the post read.
"Presciently ahead of his time with songs such as 'Ship Of Fools', 'Put The 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."
No cause of death was given.
According to the Waterboys' website, Wallinger played the keyboard for the band from 1983 through 1985. His World Party song "She's the One" – the fifth track off his fourth studio album "Egyptology" – was covered by pop singer Robbie Williams and became a radio hit.
"She's The One" has appeared in films such as the 2021 Netflix movie "A Castle for Christmas," the 2009 comedy "My Last Five Girlfriends," which starred Naomie Harris, and the 1999 David Spade rom-com "Lost & Found," according to IMDB. Wallinger's tracks have also made it on the soundtracks for "Clueless" and 1998's "Armageddon" and "The Parent Trap."
He was also a musical guest on "Saturday Night Live" on Nov. 10, 1990, per IMDB.
Wallinger collaborated with Sinéad O'Connor on World Party's debut album, "Private Revolution," in 1987. An unknown Irish musician at the time, O'Connor – who died last year at 56 of natural causes – performed with Wallinger on the song "Hawaiian Island World." She also appeared on "Sweet Soul Dream" on World Party's second album, "Goodbye Jumbo."
Another recent passing:Steely Dan keyboardist Jim Beard dies at 63 after sudden illness
