Cranberries lead singer Dolores O’Riordan dead at 46
Dolores O’Riordan, lead singer of The Cranberries, has died in London, her publicist said Monday in a statement. She was 46.
O’Riordan was in London for a short recording session, said the statement, which gave no other details about the circumstances of her death. Some British media outlets reported that she died in a hotel.
“Family members are devastated to hear the breaking news and have requested privacy at this very difficult time,” the statement said, according to the BBC.
The Irish singer from Limerick led the Cranberries to international stardom in the 1990s with singles including “Linger” and “Zombie.” She had recently been performing with a band called D.A.R.K., the Daily Mail reported.
Her last tweet in January included a photo of herself holding a cat. “Bye bye Gio. We’re off to Ireland,” she wrote.
bye bye Gio. We're off to Ireland pic.twitter.com/d6HKOFJqGB
— Dolores O'Riordan (@DolORiordan) January 4, 2018
The news of her sudden death rocked fans and fellow musicians around the world, including Duran Duran.
We are crushed to hear the news about the passing of Dolores O’Riordan. Our thoughts go out to her family at this terrible time. https://t.co/6p20QD2Ii5 pic.twitter.com/vXscj0VGHS
— Duran Duran (@duranduran) January 15, 2018
Dolores O’Riordan inspired a generation to just be themselves. The world is less cool without her. pic.twitter.com/ccwbNmwbPc
— Louise NíFhiannachta (@LouiseNiF) January 15, 2018
Shocked and heartbroken over Dolores O’Riordan’s death. The Cranberries were pinnacle in showing me that it was possible to fully embrace masculine and feminine energy in one cohesive sound. She was a true pioneer
— Foster The People (@fosterthepeople) January 15, 2018
I once met Delores O’Riordan when I was 15. She was kind and lovely, I got her autograph on my train ticket and it made my day. She had the most amazing voice and presence. So sorry to hear that she’s passed away today x
— James Corden (@JKCorden) January 15, 2018
My first time hearing Dolores O'Riordan's voice was unforgettable. It threw into question what a voice could sound like in that context of Rock. I'd never heard somebody use their instrument in that way. Shocked and saddened to hear of her passing, thoughts are with her family.
— Hozier (@Hozier) January 15, 2018
Can't believe Dolores O'Riordan has died. I'm in shock. Iconic vocalist and a lovely woman too. Had the honour of signing with her for pope john paul in the Vatican many years ago.
— Brian Mcfadden (@BrianMcFadden) January 15, 2018
The Cranberries broke up in 2003 but reunited several years later. They released the acoustic album, “Something Else,” in 2017 and were set to tour Europe and North America before the trip was cut short because O’Riordan was having back problems, the Associated Press reported.
She is survived by three children — her son Taylor, 20, and daughters Molly, 16 and Dakota, 12, according to People.
“The best time in my life was the years spent at home with my family,” she told the Irish News in May 2017.
“I love being a mum. My kids don’t see me as a famous person, or have any kind of expectation; I’m just their mum.”
She told the Irish News that she had been singing since she was 5 and writing her own songs since she was 12, “so, yeah, music has always been part of me. To be honest, I’ve never imagined doing anything else. I think at one time though, my mum, who’s deeply religious, might have had a notion of me becoming a nun!”
She joined an indie band when she was 18 and soon, fame found her.
“Looking back, it was a crazy time. Suddenly the band was massive, everybody wanted The Cranberries. I couldn’t’ believe it,” she told the Irish News.
“Going on stage, in front of thousands of people, was nerve wrecking. Even now I still get the butterflies before a performance. But once I’m out there, I just love it. There’s something about that vibe that makes me forget everything. It’s the best feeling ever.”
This story was originally published January 15, 2018 at 12:09 PM with the headline "Cranberries lead singer Dolores O’Riordan dead at 46."