Dolores O’Riordan, lead singer of iconic ’90s band The Cranberries passed away yesterday in her hotel room.
The 46-year-old Irish musician was in London for a short recording session, where she unexpectedly passed away. Her death currently remains unexplained.
According to The Irish Times, the band was forced to cancel their 2017 tour dates due to O’Riordan’s poor health, which was said to be due to a back problem.
Short of any further details related to her death, friends and family of the singer were hit with devastation. Brothers Noel and Mike Hogan and Fergal Lawler of the Cranberries said, “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.”
Irish President Michael Higgins also expressed his sadness over O’Riordan’s death, stating, “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.”
Although only recent, O’Riordan’s death has already impacted many, with The Kinks‘ Dave Davies tweeting of his shock with her passing.
I’m really shocked that #DoloresORiordan has passed so suddenly
– I was talking to her a couple weeks before Christmas she seemed happy and well – we even spoke about maybe writing some songs together – unbelievable god bless her pic.twitter.com/Pk2QyAaaBw— Dave Davies (@davedavieskinks) January 15, 2018
The Cranberries were deemed Ireland’s biggest musical export since U2, with 1993 hit Linger one of their biggest successes to date, alongside 1994 favourite Zombie and Dreams.
Via Rolling Stone.
