The life of Cranberries star Dolores O'Riordan

Olivia Morris
Updated

Suddenly passing away at the age of 46, The Cranberries lead singer Dolores O'Riordan will be remembered for her contributions to the music industry.

The Irish native, who was found in a London hotel on 15 January, had reportedly been in the UK's capital recording new material.

"At this early stage the death is being treated as unexplained," Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

The Cranberries lead singer Dolores O'Riordan, here in May 2017, has passed away suddenly at the age of 46. Source: Getty
The Cranberries lead singer Dolores O'Riordan, here in May 2017, has passed away suddenly at the age of 46. Source: Getty

Born in Limerick, Ireland in 1971 to parents Terence and Eileen O'Riordan, Dolores was the youngest of seven children.


In 1990 the then 21-year-old responded to an advertisement to join a band called The Cranberry Saw Us - now known simply as The Cranberries - sending in some lyrics and demo examples to the band founders Noel and Mike Hogan.

The singer joined the band in 1990. She is pictured here performing on stage in 1993. Source: Getty
The singer joined the band in 1990. She is pictured here performing on stage in 1993. Source: Getty

It wasn't until 1993 when the band set off on tour supporting English rock band Suede, that their first album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? started to gain major traction after The Cranberries caught the eye of MTV.

The band went on to release four more albums No Need to Argue (1994), To the Faithful Departed(1996), Bury the Hatchet (1999) andWakeUp and Smell the Coffee (2001).

The Cranberries' lead singer is pictured here on Saturday Night Live in 1994 with George Clooney. Source: Getty
The Cranberries' lead singer is pictured here on Saturday Night Live in 1994 with George Clooney. Source: Getty
Dolores pictured here with her bandmates at the 1996 MTV Music Video Awards. Source: Getty
Dolores pictured here with her bandmates at the 1996 MTV Music Video Awards. Source: Getty

They also released a greatest hits album in 2002 titled Stars: The Best of 1992 - 2002 before the band split in 2003.

The singer released two solo albums during the bands hiatus, Are You Listening? (2007) and No Baggage (2009).

The singer also released two solo albums during the bands hiatus, Are You Listening? (2007) and No Baggage (2009). She is seen performing here in 2007. Source: Getty
The singer also released two solo albums during the bands hiatus, Are You Listening? (2007) and No Baggage (2009). She is seen performing here in 2007. Source: Getty

The Cranberries eventually reunited in 2009 releasing their last album, Something Else, in April 2017.

However, they had to cancel their scheduled tour dates due to Dolores' ill-health.

The reasons cited for cancellation were due to "medical reasons associated with a back problem" making Dolores unable to perform.

The Cranberries eventually reunited in 2009. The lead singer is seen on stage here with bandmate Noel Hogan. Source: Getty
The Cranberries eventually reunited in 2009. The lead singer is seen on stage here with bandmate Noel Hogan. Source: Getty

In May 2017, the lead singer revealed she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder two years earlier.

However, at the end of last year Dolores made a statement on The Cranberries' official Facebook page stating she was "feeling good" and was doing her "first bit of gigging in months".

Dolores is survived by her three children Taylor, Dakota and Molly whom she had with her ex-husband of 20 years, Don Burton, former tour manager for Duran Duran.

In a statement, the late singer's publicist said, "Family members are devastated to hear the breaking news and have requested privacy at this very difficult time."

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