The Cranberries, walking tall in 2017, with O’Riordan front and center.
Dolores O’ Riordan of The Cranberries, an achingly beautiful and insightful Irish singer/songwriter, passed away in London from unspecified causes on January 15, 2018.
The band confirmed O’Riordan’s death in a brief statement: “Irish and international singer Dolores O’Riordan has died suddenly in London today. She was 46 years old. The lead singer with the Irish band The Cranberries was in London for a short recording session.”
The statement continued, “No further details are available at this time. Family members are devastated to hear the breaking news and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”
While we await official hi-res download options, much of The Cranberries’ storied catalog is available on 180-gram vinyl.
Your HRAC CCO interviewed Dolores on March 28, 2017 by phone about the band’s then-new Something Else album for the May 19, 2017 posting of my weekly Audiophile column on our partner site, Digital Trends, and I found her to be quite humble and keenly thoughtful. Of her songwriting and singing style, she told me, “I always have an idea. It has to sound like a mood, you know? You have to keep it real — not too polished, too perfect, or too produced. Add some structure and delivery, and then you’ve put some icing on the cake.” Sleep well, sweet Dolores.