KARL WALLINGER,
1957-2024
Karl Wallinger, the leader of World Party, a college-radio fixture in the late '80s and early '90s, died Sunday. He was 66.
No cause was given in a statement by his publicist.
A member of Mike Scott’s band The Waterboys, Wallinger initially toured with them as keyboardist before joining the band and playing multiple instruments on their second and third albums, producing and arranging songs as well.
He went solo, taking on the name World Party and releasing Private Revolution in 1986 which yielded the Top 40 hit “Ship of Fools.” His blend of folk, psychedelic rock and funk developed a larger following with his second album, Goodbye Jumbo. Q magazine named it album of the year, it received a Grammy nomination and its singles “Way Down Now” and “Put the Message in the Box” went Top 10 on rock charts.
He had his biggest commercial success in the U.K. with "Is It Like Today?" and the 1993 album it appeared on, Bang!.
In 2001, after releasing five albums, Wallinger suffered a brain aneurysm that left unable to speak and limited his vision and physical abilities. Five years of rehab resulted in his return to live performing in 2006 at SXSW; World Party toured sporadically through 2015.
Just received this. Travel on well my old friend. You are one of the finest musicians I've ever known. https://t.co/Ntmn7jBpqq
— Mike Scott (@MickPuck) March 11, 2024
Very sad news, I was a big fan of Karl’s. https://t.co/apcBjkNnHD
— Curt Smith🖕🏼 (@curtsmith) March 11, 2024
