Karl Wallinger (Waterboys / World Party) – RIP
It is sad to hear the news that Prestatyn born musician, Karl Wallinger died on Sunday 10th March 2024. at the age of 66.
Famous for being a member of The Waterboys and then World Party, Karl began investigating recorded sound on the rudimentary level of tinkering with a tape-recorder and practice amp, and cutting his performing teeth as keyboardist with Pax. He moved to London in 1977, playing in various punk bands such as The Invisible Body and working for the publishers ATV/Northern Songs before joining funk band Out. In 1983, he met Mike Scott and Anthony Thistlewhite, and the three became the nucleus of The Waterboys. By 1986 he had gone it alone and released World Party’s debut LP, by 1993 the project, which was basically a one man band, produced the album ‘Bang!’ and was only kept off the No.1 spot in the UK by R.E.M. He also penned the No.1 hit She’s The One, covered by Robbie Williams.
A few years ago I got to speak to Karl about those early days, ‘We did two gigs, I think as Pax, one in a railway club in Rhyl [possibly The Bee] and one in the Stables Club in St Asaph. We did a bit of recording and then I left for London as I remember it, and then the guys carried on and formed other bands. I remember seeing them at the Music Machine in Camden but there wasn’t really anybody there! I think they were the band Seventeen at the time and the next time I saw them, they were The Alarm and they were at the Marquee and it was packed to the gills.
‘On my trips abroad with The Waterboys we would often find ourselves on the same bill as The Alarm in Germany, France or America or wherever and I’ve stayed in touch with Nigel over the years.’
Nigel Twist wrote on his facebook page today: ‘Sad to report the passing of a long time friend Karl Wallinger. An extraordinary talent, gifted singer/songwriter and multi-talented musician and producer. I met Karl 50 years ago, we had a band called “PAX” with Dave Sharp & Glyn Crossley and would hammer out songs for hours in the loft of his Prestatyn home. We went our musical separate ways for many years but kept in contact, we’d planned to record together again, alas. His songs never fail to reach deep inside and touch your soul. No matter how you feel, his music would fill you with joy and hope and above all, love, for a better world. I’m going to miss you, travel well Karl. His family are in my thoughts this very sad day.’
Karl Wallinger leaves behind his wife, Suzie Zamit and their two daughters.