Irish Singer Sinéad O’Connor Dies at 56, Several Artists Pay Their Respects

Kathryn Milewski -

Yesterday, multiple news outlets reported that Sinéad O’Connor had died. The Irish singer's family confirmed the news in a statement to Irish news outlet RTÊ, writing: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.” O’Connor was 56 years old.

While a cause of death has not been revealed, it is known the singer has gone through several mental health struggles throughout her life – struggles that only intensified as the years went by. After attempting suicide in 1999, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2007. Back in 2017, she posted a message to her Facebook page detailing how she was living alone in a New Jersey Travelodge. “I’m all by myself, there’s absolutely nobody in my life,” she said. In 2021, O’Connor released her memoir Rememberings, which chronicled her difficult childhood and mental health challenges. Finally, she was hospitalized last year after her 17-year-old son Shane tragically died after reportedly going missing.

Check out our selection of free stations streaming Sinéad O'Connor music at Live365.com.

Despite the several hardships she faced in her personal life, O'Connor leaves behind an incredible musical legacy. Sinéad was born in Dublin, Ireland and was discovered by record executives while performing in the band Ton Ton Macoute. Her debut album, The Lion and the Cobra, was released in '87. She became internationally famous with 1990’s I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got and its hit single, her cover of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U." She also had a brief film career, starring as Emily Brontë in a 1992 adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Throughout her time in the industry, O’Connor recorded 10 studio albums. Her last album was 2014’s I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss. In 2018, she released the song “Milestones” under the moniker Magda Davitt.

O'Connor is also known for her activism and provocateur nature. She voiced her support of the Irish Republican Army, reportedly refused to perform at a U.S. concert if it was preceded by the National Anthem, boycotted the Grammy Awards in 1991 due to the show’s commercialism, and famously tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live before asking viewers to “fight the real enemy.”

But despite some controversy she may have caused, O'Connor was a huge inspiration to many others in the music industry. Tegan and Sara’s Sara Quin told Pitchfork that O’Connor’s song “Three Babies” made a “huge impression.” John Lydon once said that he sometimes listens to her music for “weeks on end.” Fiona Apple sent O’Connor an emotional video message: “I want you to know that you are my hero.”

After O'Connor's death was announced, several industry veterans gave tribute to the Irish singer. Massive Attack, ANOHNI, Alanis Morissette, Tegan and Sara, Perfume Genius, Tori Amos, Tracey Thorn, Kimya Dawson, New Jersey punk band Titus Andronicus, the Charlatans’ Tim Burgess, Peter Gabriel, Public Enemy's Chuck D, Ice-T, Janelle Monáe, UFC fighter Conor McGregor, and countless others have expressed their grief over her passing. Even P!nk and Brandi Carlile both dedicated a rendition of “Nothing Compares 2 U” to the late O’Connor while performing at Great American Ball Park.

See some of the many tributes to Sinéad O’Connor below.

Check out our selection of free stations streaming Sinéad O’Connor music at Live365.com.

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Article Image: Sinead O'Connor raises her hand while performing at the Cambridge Festival, unspecified year. (Bryan Ledgard [CC BY 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons.)