Frontman of '80s and '90s psych-pop project World Party and former multi-instrumentalist in the Waterboys (the folk-rock band behind the 1985 hit "The Whole of the Moon"), Karl Wallinger, has died. He was 66.
According to a statement from his publicist, the musician passed away yesterday (March 10). No cause of death has been reported, although he did suffer a brain aneurysm in 2001 that put his career on pause for several years.
Wallinger formed World Party in 1986, shortly after his departure from Waterboys after the group's first three albums. He recorded the project's 1987 debut album Private Revolution — featuring backing vocals from then-unknown Irish singer Sinéad O'Conner — largely in his own home, and it spawned the hit single "Ship of Fools."
Waterboys' Mike Scott paid tribute to Wallinger on social media, remembering his former bandmate as "one of the finest musicians I've ever known."
This is a developing story
