Today, the music world is saddened by another shocking loss: Dolores O’Riordan, the lead singer of 90’s worldwide hit-making rock stars The Cranberries, has passed away at the age of 46 in London. According to an official statement from her publicist, O’Riordan was in the U.K. for “a short recording session.” The statement also adds that no further details about the cause of Dolores’ death or the situation surrounding it are currently available, and notes that “Family members are devastated to hear the breaking news and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”
The Irish musician, originally from the county of Limerick, led The Cranberries (comprised of her, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan, and drummer Fergal Lawler) to international success beginning with their 1993 album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? The album has since been certified Platinum five times over in the U.S. by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). O’Riordan’s unique diction and vocal tone, blanketed with her thick brogue, gave the Cranberries’ records an unusual and addictive quality. Unsurprisingly, this refreshing sound allowed the band to storm the radio airwaves with relentlessly catchy singles like “Linger” and “Zombie”. The Cranberries went on to become one of the highest-selling acts of the 1990’s, moving more than 40 million records worldwide.
We will be sure to update you as the details of O’Riordan’s passing begin to surface. Until then, our thoughts are with Dolores’ friends and family on this sad day.
Watch the music video for “Linger” below via TheCranberriesVEVO:
Watch The Cranberries perform their hit single “Zombie” on The Late Show with David Letterman below via YouTube user Redrumrock1963:
Rest in Peace, Dolores, and thank you for all the wonderful music you gave us in your time on this Earth…
[Cover photo – Irish News]
[h/t – BBC]