Dolores O'Riordan, the lead singer of rock group The Cranberries, has died suddenly at the age of 46, Irish media have reported.
Irish singer Dolores O'Riordan performing with The Cranberries in 2016. Photo: AFP
The singer died in London while there for a recording session.
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 Cranberries (@The_Cranberries) January 15, 2018
Noel, Mike and Fergal
The Irish musician, originally from Limerick, led the band to international success in the 1990s with singles including Linger and Zombie.
Dolores O'Riordan performing in 2000. Photo: AFP
In 2017 The Cranberries announced a tour including dates in Europe, the UK, and the US.
However, in May 2017, shortly into the European tour, The Cranberries had to cancel the remainder of the European dates as a result of O'Riordan's health issues.
The official Cranberries website cited these issues as being problems with the singer's back.
But just before Christmas O'Riordan had posted on Facebook saying she was "feeling good" and had done her "first bit of gigging in months", leading fans to believe she would soon be performing again.
O'Riordan tweeted a picture of herself with her cat to fans in early January saying she was "off to Ireland".
bye bye Gio. We're off to Ireland pic.twitter.com/d6HKOFJqGB
— Dolores O'Riordan (@DolORiordan) January 4, 2018
O'Riordan split from her husband of 20 years, Don Burton in 2014. Together with Burton, who is the former tour manager of Duran Duran, they have three children.
The singer suffered from bi-polar disorder and was spared a criminal conviction after an air rage incident in 2014.
The Cranberries shot to international fame with their 1993 debut album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? and went on to sell over 40 million records worldwide.
An 'unforgettable voice'
Irish rock band Kodaline were among the first to pay tribute on social media:
Absolutely shocked to hear about the passing of Dolores O'Riordan! @The_Cranberries gave us our first big support when we toured with them around France years ago! Thoughts are with her family and friends
— Kodaline (@Kodaline) January 15, 2018
Duran Duran's official Twitter feed posted a message saying the band was "crushed" to hear of the singer's death.
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
Others to pay tribute include The Late, Late Show presenter, James Corden, who said meeting her when he was 15 years old "made his day".
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
Irish pop star Hozier said O'Riordan's voice was "unforgettable".
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
Jim Corr from Irish band The Corrs tweeted offering his "deepest sympathies" to O'Riordan's family.
My deepest sympathies to the family of Dolores O’Riordan who tragically passed away today. RIP
— Jim Corr (@Jimcorrsays) January 15, 2018
New Zealand singer Anika Moa also paid her respects:
SO sad to hear of the passing of Dolores O'Riordan from The Cranberries. Her voice followed my youth around. CHCH town hall 1996 my mum took me to their show for my sweet 16th! Rest in Wonderment. Dream your dreams!
— Anika Moa (@Anika_Moa) January 15, 2018
A book of condolence will be opened in her home town of Limerick on Tuesday, at the city council's headquarters.
O'Riordan, the youngest of seven children, had written her own songs since she was 12.
She joined the band while still in her teens, after spotting an advert for a female singer for rock band The Cranberry Saw Us.
Later changed to The Cranberries, the band's most successful tracks include 'Zombie' (1994) - a protest song about bombings that took place the year before - as well as 'No Need To Argue' (1994) and 'To The Faithful Departed' (1996).
O'Riordan briefly pursued a solo career after the band split in 2003, before The Cranberries reunited in 2009.
- BBC
