Karl Wallinger’s biggest songs including She’s The One and Whole of the Moon as iconic rock star dies aged 66

KARL Wallinger penned She’s the One and Whole of the Moon in an illustrious career with The Waterboys and later World Party.

The Welsh-born musician has died at the age of 66, it was sadly confirmed on Monday.

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Karl Wallinger, playing with World Party in 2006, was the frontman in the bandCredit: Getty

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Karl Wallinger, centre, with a line-up of World Party which featured Guy Chambers, left.Credit: Getty – Contributor

Karl began his career as a keyboardist in a variety of bands before joining The Waterboys in 1983, which saw him write the original music for hit Don’t Bang The Drum and play a large part in the band’s “Big Music” sound.

Among those paying tribute was The Waterboys founder Mike Scott, who said on X, formerly Twitter: “Travel on well my old friend. You are one of the finest musicians I’ve ever known.”

The Waterboys released their third album This is the Sea in October 1985, which managed to get into the Top Forty, largely thanks to the single The Whole of the Moon, which climbed to number 26 in the UK charts.

Wallinger had co-produced and arranged much of the initial sessions which had included The Whole of the Moon.

Wallinger left The Waterboys after three years to form World Party in 1986.

He was later replaced as keyboard player by Guy Chambers – who would later go on to become Robbie Williams’ writing partner.

While working on solo material, Wallinger also worked on Sinead O’Connor’s 1987 debut album The Lion and the Cobra.

The first music to emerge under the name World Party was Private Revolution in 1986 which blended folk, funk and soul.

It’s title was a nod to its creation by Wallinger working alone in a home recording studio.

The album spawned the hit single Ship of Fools.

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The follow up album Goodbye Jumbo in 1990 also featured the singles Way Down Now, Put the Message in the Box and Thank You World.

In 2000, the album was ranked 94th on Q’s list of the “100 Greatest British Albums Ever”.

The band released further albums over the years, most-notably Egyptology in 1997 which featured the hit She’s the One, which was later covered by Robbie Williams, with his version reaching number one in the UK in 1999.

He also acted as the musical director for the Ben Stiller directed film Reality Bites in 1994 which starred Ethan Hawke and Winona Ryder.

He contributed to the Clueless soundtrack in 1995 producing All The Young Dudes written by David Bowie a year later.

He was one of the many artists to take part in Peter Gabriel’s Big Blue Ball album, which was recorded in the 1990s and released in 2008.

Curt Smith from pop band Tears For Fears said on X: “Very sad news, I was a big fan of Karl’s.”

In 2001, Wallinger was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm and spent five years away from the spotlight following surgery.

Wallinger is survived by his wife Suzie Zamit, two children and two grandchildren.

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Mike Scott, described Wallinger, pictured, as ‘one of the finest musicians I have known’Credit: Handout