We have received the confirmation of the unfortunate news, and it came from the O’Riordan publicist. A statement that we have did not say anything about the cause of death. O’Riordan was in London where she had a recording session, but just recently we could hear that she had to cancel a tour that has been scheduled with reunited Cranberries. The reason for the cancelation was the issues she had with her back.
In the statement it was noted that the death was sudden: “Family members are devastated to hear the breaking news and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”
We have also received a statement from Metropolitan police according to which O’Riordan’s body was found in her apartment at a Park Lane hotel. Police said, “At this early stage the death is being treated as unexplained.”
Furthermore, a spokeswoman for the hotel stated: “It is with deep regret that we can confirm a guest sadly passed away at the hotel on Monday 15 January. We offer our sincere condolences to their family at this difficult time.”
Here is the message from the band – Noel and Mike Hogan and Fergal Lawler that was posted on Twitter:
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
Soon after the news broke, we could hear Irish president Michael D Higgins saying that he learned about it with “great sadness.” He also added: “To all those who follow and support Irish music, Irish musicians and the performing arts, her death will be a big loss.”
Many colleagues started to pay tribute, and one of those was Hozier, the Irish songwriter that stated how he was “shocked and saddened.” He also commented that O’Riordan’s voice “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.”
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
We could hear Irish rockers Kodaline that stated how they were shocked when they heard the news. Maggie Rogers, the pop singer said: “Dolores O’Riordan’s voice helped me understand my place in the world.” O’Riordan’s family also received “deepest sympathies” from Jim Corr, a member of Corrs, Irish pop group.
Don Burton ex-husband of O’Riordan currently is a tour manager of Duran Duran, and they said how they were “crushed” when the news hit them. The couple had three children, Taylor Baxter, Molly Leigh and Dakota Rain.
Here are a few details about O’Riordan who was born in Limerick in 1971. When she joined in 1990, the name of the band was Cranberry Saw Us, and she was with them all the way to 2003. A big part of the success of this group is due to west Irish accent and heartfelt vocals that helped them become very popular around the World.
One of the first hits was Linger that managed to enter Top 10 in both US and Ireland, while it took 14th place in the UK. In one interview that O’Riordan had with Guardian, she said how that song was inspired by “being dumped, publicly, at the disco. Everything’s so dramatic when you’re 17, so I poured it into the song.”
The success of the first album was continued with their next release, No Need to Argue that came out in 1994. With Zombie, new lead single, they managed to show a completely different side of both band and O’Riordan’s voice. This was all fueled by 1993 IRA bombing in Warrington. That unfortunate event ended with two deaths of three-year-old Jonathan Ball and 12-year-old Tim Parry.
The numbers of No Need to Argue say that total of 17 million copies were sold of which 7 million was in the US. When figures of all albums are added, we come to 40 million sold. Before they took a break in 2003, they delivered three more albums. After this, O’Riordan released two more solo albums. In 2009, the band came back together, and their plan was to only have live performances, but the additional material was created, and they delivered two more albums. The last one of those was Something Else from 2017.
It was planned for the band to have 2017 European tour, but it was canceled because of the back problem that O’Riordan had. Soon after that, all dates for the US were cancelled as that was the advice of the doctor. A statement by the band was delivered saying how they are “very disappointed.” It was continued by “The outpouring of support the Cranberries have received from fans and followers during the past several months is greatly appreciated.”
