Dolores O’Riordan, the lead singer of the band ‘The Cranberries’, passed away in London on January 15. She was 46.
The band confirmed her death in a brief statement last evening.
In a separate statement, band members Noel and Mike Hogan, and Fergal Lawler 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.
Noel, Mike and Fergal— The Cranberries (@The_Cranberries) January 15, 2018
The cause of death has not been ascertained yet. The New York Times reported that the police were called to London’s Park Lane hotel where O’Riordan was pronounced dead at the scene.
In May 2017, she made it public that she has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She said that she had struggled with the symptoms for years. The band also cited her “back problems” as the reason for cancelling, in May 2017, the second part of the group’s European tour. In late 2017, O’Riordan said she was recovering and performed at a private event.
Hi All, Dolores here. Feeling good! I did my first bit of gigging in months at the weekend, performed a few songs at the Billboard annual staff holiday party in New York with the house band. Really enjoyed it! Happy Christmas to all our fans!! Xo
— The Cranberries (@The_Cranberries) December 20, 2017
Born in a town in County Limerick, Ireland, O’Riordan joined the band in 1990, when the band was called The Cranberry Saw Us. The band released five albums when they were together, namely Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? (1993), No Need to Argue (1994), To the Faithful Departed(1996), Bury the Hatchet (1999) and Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001) and a greatest-hits compilation entitled Stars: The Best of 1992–2002 (2002).
Their most popular number was ‘Zombie’, a protest song in memory of two boys – Jonathan Ball and Tim Parry – who were killed in the IRA bombing in Warrington in 1993.
Ever since the news of her death was made public, tributes have been pouring in on social media.
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
dolores o’riordan had one of the most unique voices in rock / pop music & the emotion she could convey through her tone was unreal. RIP a legend ?
— daya (@Daya) January 16, 2018
Rip @DolORiordan ? Thank you for your memorable, beautiful music. ??❤️
— Charlet Chung (@CharletChung) January 16, 2018
Feature Image: W Radio
