Karl Wallinger Of World Party Dead At 66

Karl Wallinger, the multi-talented instrumentalist who was also the singer and braintrust of World Party, has died.

The Welsh-born musician was 66.

As of now, no cause of death has been disclosed.

A member of The Waterboys, after playing on their first three albums Wallinger left the Mike Scott-led Scottish outfit in 1986 to form World Party, who went on to have a series of hits like “Ship Of Fools” and “Private Revolution.”

In addition to his work with World Party, Wallinger played on records by Peter Gabriel and Sinead O’Connor, served as the music supervisor for Reality Bites, played in Bob Geldof’s band, and had his composition “She’s The One” covered by Robbie Williams.

Although World Party had been on a hiatus, Wallinger recently promised the band would not only be releasing new material but would also be touring behind it.

“Travel on well my old friend,” Mike Scott wrote. “You are one of the finest musicians I’ve ever known.”

He is survived by his wife, the sculptor Suzie Zamit, their two children and two grandchildren.