Karl Wallinger dying: World Party frontman and ‘She’s The One’ songwriter dead at 66

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Karl Wallinger, a singer and songwriter finest recognized for his work in his band World Party, has died. He was 66.

The Welsh musician was additionally recognized for his time within the folk-rock group the Waterboys, and for writing “She’s The One”, which World Party launched in 1997 earlier than it was coated by Robbie Williams in 1999 and turned a world hit.

According to stories in People, Wallinger died on Sunday (10 March). No reason behind dying was given.

Wallinger was born in Prestatyn, Wales on 19 October 1957.

He began his profession in 1977 as a keyboard participant with Pax, earlier than forming the short-lived band Quasimodo with two future members of the Alarm, Dave Sharp and Nigel Twist.

In 1983 he joined Mike Scott’s folk-rock group the Waterboys, touring with the band and taking part in on their second and third albums, 1984’s A Pagan Place and 1985’s This Is the Sea.

He left the band in 1985 to type his personal group, World Party, which launched its debut album Private Revolution in 1986. It featured the hit single “Ship of Fools”, an environmental protest music that reached the Billboard Top 40.

He additionally labored on Sinead O’Connor’s debut album The Lion and the Cobra (1987).

World Party launched 4 additional albums: Goodbye Jumbo (1990), Bang! (1993), Egyptology (1997) and Dumbing Up (2000). They additionally launched best-of compilation Best in Show in 2007.

Ballad “She’s The One” was included on the band’s fourth album, Egyptology, and was coated two years later by pop star Robbie Williams for his personal second album I’ve Been Expecting You.

The music was a significant hit, however Wallinger was upset that he hadn’t been notified concerning the cowl and that Williams typically claimed to have written the music earlier than performing it stay. A few years later, Wallinger skilled a near-fatal mind aneurysm.

“The song had a much better time than me, popping off to the Brits while I was at home eating crackers dipped in water,” Wallinger advised The Telegraph in 2012. “But it was lucky it was a hit. It saved my arse financially for a few years while I was holding on to the handrail thinking, ‘What happened?’”

Wallinger is survived by his spouse Suzie Zamit, son Louis Wallinger, daughter Nancy Zamit and two grandchildren.

On X/Twitter, Waterboys frontman Scott paid tribute to Wallinger with the phrases: “Travel on well my old friend. You are one of the finest musicians I’ve ever known.”