Irish rock band The Cranberries, famous for its songs “Zombie” and “Salvation” was one of the most popular Western bands of the mid 1990s.
Its lead singer Dolores O’Riordan, who was famous for her unique and distinct voice, passed away on Monday in London at the age of 46.
The Cranberries confirmed Dolores O’Riordan’s death saying, “Irish and international singer Dolores O’Riordan has died suddenly in London today. She was 46 years old. The lead singer with the Irish band The Cranberries was in London for a short recording session. No further details are available at this time. Family members are devastated to hear the breaking news and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”
Band members Noel, Mike Hogan and Fergal Lawler added, “We are devastated on the passing of our friend Dolores. She was an extraordinary talent and we feel very privileged to have been part of her life from 1989 when we started the Cranberries. The world has lost a true artist today.”
The reason of O’Riordan’s death has not been disclosed. The police have informed media that O’Riordan’s death is “unexplained”.
The band confirmed Dolores O’Riordan’s death saying, ‘Irish and international singer Dolores O’Riordan has died suddenly in London today. She was 46 years old. The lead singer with the Irish band The Cranberries was in London for a short recording session. No further details are available at this time. Family members are devastated to hear the breaking news and have requested privacy at this very difficult time’
It was earlier reported that the band had cancelled its tour last year as O’Riordan had suddenly fallen very ill owing to a back problem. It was rumoured that the late singer was also bi-polar.
Irish President Michael Higgins expressed his grief and sorrow in the following words, “It is with great sadness that I have learned of the death of Dolores O’Riordan, musician, singer and song writer. Dolores O’Riordan and The Cranberries had an immense influence on rock and pop music in Ireland and internationally. I recall with fondness the late Limerick TD Jim Kemmy’s introduction of her and The Cranberries to me, and the pride he and so many others took in their successes. To all those who follow and support Irish music, Irish musicians and the performing arts her death will be a big loss.”
Acclaimed Irish rock band U2 also released a statement on O’Riordan’s sudden passing, “The band are floored but it’s of course her family we’re all thinking of right now. Out of the West came this storm of a voice – she had such strength of conviction, yet she could speak to the fragility in all of us. Limerick’s ‘Bel canto’.”
O’Riordan was born in Limerick, Ireland as was the youngest in her family. She had six siblings. O’Riordan had auditioned to become a singer for The Cranberry Saw Us, which was formed by Noel and Mike Hogan, in the year 1990. She was selected and hence became the band’s front singer. There came a time when the band became so popular that it even threatened the monopoly created by award-winning band U2.
Celebrities took to Twitter to express their shock, horror and disbelief over O’Riordan’s death.
Model turned actress Rose McGowan Tweeted, “Thank you for sharing your talent with us. Your voice was a gift touched by fire. #DoloresORiordan”.
O’Riordan led the The Cranberries for 13 years before the band took a break in 2003.
She released her first album ‘Are You Listening?’ in 2007, which was followed by ‘No Baggage’ in 2009. O’Riordan was known for her beautiful voice and her strong Irish accent. She appeared as a judge on ‘The Voice’. In 2014, O’Riordan joined and began recording new material with the trio DARK.
She passed away suddenly when she was in London for a recording session.
Published in Daily Times, January 17th 2018.