RIP Karl Wallinger (World Party)

[Chippa]

This is very sad news. I've loved World Party, for a while.

variety.com/2024/music/news/karl-wallinger-world-party-dead-1235938501/

The first time I heard the song Put The Message In The Box, I thought it was a new Jeff Lynne solo song.

[dillwyn]

Brilliant writer, 66 is no age and agree this one really hits home for me as well. Mike Scott (of the Waterboys) declared him to be one of the best musicians he had ever worked with. He was playing on their hit 'Whole of the moon' and of course Robbie Williams covered and had a huge hit with his song she's the one. I saw World Party in Bristol touring for the brilliant album Goodbye Jumbo. Sleep Well.

[lawrev]

What a loss! He was a direct descendant of the Beatles with Magical Mystery Tour and Sgt. Pepper. For the first 30 seconds of Ship of Fools (in 1987) I thought it was new Jeff Lynne/ELO material (since Lynne had not formally ended ELO yet), but it became very clear that he was a gifted writer and performer with his own sonic stamp. I played Goodbye for months after its release in 1990. Put the Message is an enduring track. RIP Karl.

[Chippa]

During his 1990 appearance on the Rockline radio show, Jeff Lynne was asked if there were any new bands that he liked, and the first one he mentioned was World Party.

I'm guessing Karl Wallinger was at least somewhat influenced by Jeff and ELO, too.

[dillwyn]

He could have done more than a passing job in ELO Part 2 couldn't he .... people wouldn't have known the difference ...

[fourlittlediamonds]

Sad news. Maybe it's just me, but far too many people (famous or otherwise)seem to be leaving us way before their time, these days. Wasn't a big fan, really, but "Is It Like Today" was a standout song for me.

[unomusette]

Was very sad to hear this news today - I'm one of those who thought we were listening to Jeff himself when the World Party stuff came out, and it's rather lovely to know Karl was appreciated by the man himself.

RIP Karl