London - Tributes poured in for Dolores O'Riordan, the
lead singer of the Irish band The Cranberries, after she died
suddenly in London on Monday, aged 46.
In a statement posted to Twitter, the band's members said they were
"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," said the tweet, which was signed
with the first names of band members Noel and Mike Hogan and Fergal
Lawler.
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
In an earlier statement on Twitter, the band said O'Riordan's family
were "devastated to hear the breaking news and have requested privacy
at this very difficult time."
Irish and international singer Dolores O’Riordan has died suddenly in London today. She was 46 years old.
Family members are devastated to hear the breaking news and have requested privacy at this very difficult time. Full Statement: https://t.co/L8K98BFpSM pic.twitter.com/ADEY51Xnwe
— The Cranberries (@The_Cranberries) January 15, 2018
O'Riordan died suddenly while she was in London for a short recording
session, the statement said, adding that "no further details are
available at this time."
The Cranberries gained international fame in the 1990s with a string
of indie pop hits, including "Linger," "Dreams" and "Zombie."
Also read: Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan dies aged 46
Irish President Michael D Higgins said he had learned of the singer's
death "with great sadness."
"Dolores O'Riordan and The Cranberries had an immense influence on
rock and pop music in Ireland and internationally," Higgins said.
"I recall with fondness the late Limerick [lawmaker] Jim Kemmy's
introduction of her and The Cranberries to me, and the pride he and
so many others took in their successes," he said.
"To all those who follow and support Irish music, Irish musicians and
the performing arts her death will be a big loss."
Irish band Kodaline also paid tribute to O'Riordan on Twitter, saying
they were "absolutely shocked" to hear about her death.
"The Cranberries gave us our first big support when we toured with
them around France years ago," the band said. "Thoughts are with her
family and friends."
The Limerick Leader, a newspaper in the band's home town in
south-western Ireland, quoted a local priest and family friend, Canon
Liam McNamara, as saying O'Riordan had been her family's "pride and
joy".
"She got on well all the way through her life," McNamara told the
newspaper, which said the priest had officiated at O'Riordan's
wedding in 1994 and her father's funeral in 2011.
"I was very disappointed to hear today that she has left us so early
in life," McNamara said.
"Her family did so much for her and supported her all the way
through."
Dave Davies, a founding member of 1960s British band The Kinks, said
he was "really shocked that Dolores O'Riordan has passed so
suddenly."
"I was talking to her a couple weeks before Christmas," Davies wrote
on Twitter.
"She seemed happy and well - we even spoke about maybe writing some
songs together. Unbelievable! God bless her."
Other Twitter users paid tribute to "The Queen of Limerick," while
fellow singer May Kapes said O'Riordan had a "huge impact" on her
career.
"Dolores O'Riordan has had such a huge impact on me in so many ways,"
Kapes wrote on Twitter.
"Watching the light and shade in her performances, her voice, her
attitude," she said.
"She's the reason so many young girls saw a place for themselves in
rock music. So, so sad."