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CRANBERRIES SINGER DOLORES O’Riordan has died.
She was 46 and is survived by three children.
O’Riordan passed away at a hotel in Westminster this morning. Police were called to the Park Lane address around 9am, where O’Riordan was pronounced dead.
They are treating the death as unexplained.
A statement from her PR agency said:
“Irish and international singer Dolores O’Riordan has died suddenly in London today. 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.”
The Cranberries / Twitter
The Cranberries / Twitter / Twitter
O’Riordan became the lead singer in The Cranberries before the Limerick band would go on to gain huge success in the early to mid 90s.
The band went on to have four US Top 20 albums, with single Linger landing at number 8 in the US. Zombie, which rose to number three in the Irish charts, remains among the band’s best-known songs.
The band would release Wake Up and Smell the Coffee in 2001 before going on hiatus in 2003. They reformed in 2012 to release Roses and again last year for Something Else. The band was forced to cancel all of its dates on that tour due to O’Riordan’s back problems. The band sold around 40 million records worldwide.
Before Christmas, she posted to the band’s Facebook page saying:
“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”
O’Riordan had also released two solo albums; 2007′s Are You Listening? and 2009′s No Baggage.
Tributes
Tributes have begun pouring in to O’Riordan, with one calling her the “Queen of Limerick”.
President Michael D Higgins said:
“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.”
MayKay / TwitterDolores O’Riordan has had such a huge impact on me in so many ways. Watching the light and shade in her performances, her voice, her attitude. She’s the reason so many young girls saw a place for themselves in rock music. So, so sad. #DoloresORiordan
— May Kay (@MayKay316) January 15, 2018
DJ Will Leahy wrote on Twitter:
“Dolores O’Riordan. You put Limerick on the world music map during the darkest time in our city. Rest in peace.”
Louise McSharry / TwitterI was living in America in the band’s heyday, they were massive there. When I got my first CD player the only CD I had was theirs and my friends listened to it obsessively. Their impact internationally was huge.
— Louise McSharry (@louisemcsharry) January 15, 2018
Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone called her “an icon”, while singer Frank Turner wrote: “Oh lord. Not Dolores O’Riordan. Grew up singing Cranberries songs. Tragic news.”
Local TD Jan O’Sullivan added:
“Dolores was an iconic figure of 90s Irish music. The music Dolores made has touched many people. Her talent and that of her bandmates put Limerick on the map musically.”
Arts Minister Josepha Madigan said:
“She was an inspiration to many across the world and had a truly unique voice. Her haunting vocals on classics such as Linger and Zombie will live on forever.”
Such a tragic story, that poor woman & her family suffered so much, like other families unfortunately. What kind of people are in this world that will cause such suffering? I wish you the very best John Pender.
That really is so sad.
Hope they all get some peace
There must a conscience out there that is hurting right now – Do the decent thing and turn yourself in!!!!!!
Even if whoever did this just left a note where her body was, at least then John could get some peace of mind
This poor woman has suffered. I hope she is happy now in Heaven with her family. R.I.P. to them all.
This letter is truly heartbreaking, it is a snapshot of the turmoil this poor mother endured daily, the hope that her beautiful daughter and grandchild might be recovered so she could lay them to rest with the dignity they deserve, the search she never abandoned borne out of love, loss and sorrow, the letter is in many ways an acknowledgement of her own life, the love of her family from the loss of her son Mark , the support of Fiona to her in the aftermath of that tragedy Fiona’s disappearance and the death of her heartbroken husband, Mrs Pender has suffered greatly, as her son John pointed out , right up to the end she never gave up and she never gave in, there is someone keeping an ugly secret which could give back to John the ability to end this misery and fulfill his pledge to never stop searching for Fiona and her baby,now is the time to do the right thing, hasn’t this family suffered enough, let them come home to rest.
Why do some people have to deal with such tragedy in their lives? I don’t know how this poor woman was able to get out of bed each morning. It would be beyond me.
What a tough letter to read, the tragedies that the Pender family had to endure is staggering.
Deepest Sympathies to John & how brave you are to speak out and share your Mother’s letter of hope and Love for Fiona reflecting you all. John you have been born into a Special Family. Fiona was a bright happy young woman, pregnant and joyful…sadly something which this Midland Town rejects with a vengeance…I hope all will come together now and walk that pathway for truth each year for Fiona, her baby and her Family…Thank you Josephine Pender, May you now Rest in Peace and may Good Decent People step outside the Shadows of Coverup and Walk with John.
Breaks my heart! Amazing to see how she never wavered no matter what came her way! What an inspiration. A mother’s love.. thoughts prayers and good energy sent your way! Hopefully a bright light guides your way and keeps you all going on the darkest of days
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