Lead singer for the Irish rock band The Cranberries, Dolores O’Riordan died January 15 in London at the age of 46. No details as to the cause of death have been revealed; only that she died suddenly. O’Riordan had been dealing with a number of health issues in past years.
By Poudou99 – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10517919
She was in London for a recording session at the time of her death.
The Cranberries released an acoustic album last year “”Something Else” and had planned to tour to support the album.
Speaking on O’Riordan,the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins said she, had an immense influence on rock and pop music in Ireland and internationally.” Adding, “to all those who follow and support Irish music, Irish musicians and the performing arts, her death will be a big loss.”
The Cranberries have sold over 40,000,000 albums around the world since their debut in 1993. She was also a part of the band D.A.R.K.
A favourite singer of Pope John Paul II, she has performed at the Vatican twice.
O’Riordan came to The Cranberries in 1990 after answering an advertisement for a lead singer. More than just the lead singer, she wrote the song’s lyrics and often collaborated with her band mates on the music.
The Cranberries took a break in 2003 and O’Riordan released two solo albums – “Are You Listening” and “No Baggage”. They reformed in 2009.
Along with appearing in documentaries, talk shows, and musical performances, she portrayed herself in an uncredited role of “Charmed”, and “Loose Women”. The music of The Cranberries has been heard on dozens of film and television productions including “The Next Karate Kid”, “Milk Money”, “Beverly Hills 90210”, “Mission Impossible”, “You’ve Got Mail”, “Smallville”, “Click”, “The Office”, and “Inside Amy Schumer”.
She was born Dolores Mary Eileen O’Riorden on September 6, 1971 in Ballybricken, County Limerick, Ireland; the youngest of seven children.
She is survived by her children – Taylor, Molly, and Dakota – and her mother Eileen.
The Cranberries discography:
“Everybody Else is Doing it, So Why Can’t We?”
“No Need to Arugue”
“The the Faithful Departed”
“Bury the Hatchet”
“Bury the Hatchet/The the Faithful Departed”
“Wake Up and Smell the Coffee”
“Live 2010”
“Roses”
“Something Else”
feature photo credit: By Eva Rinaldi – The Cranberries, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24793874