Sinéad O'Connor, Irish singer of 'Nothing Compares 2 U' and more, dead at 56, Irish media says
CTV
Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor, who became as well known for her remarkable music as her personal struggles, has died, according to RTE, Ireland's public broadcaster. She was 56.
Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor, who became as well known for her remarkable music as her personal struggles, has died, according to RTE, Ireland’s public broadcaster. She was 56.
According to a family statement shared by RTE:
“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.”
No cause of death was immediately available. CNN has reached out to representatives and family members of O’Connor.
O’Connor was a vocalist known for her pure and crisp voice, paired with exceptional songwriting abilities that evoked her views on politics, spirituality, history and philosophy. Her first album, “The Lion and the Cobra,” was released to critical acclaim in 1987, but it was O’Connor’s 1990 sophomore album, “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got” which broke her through as a well-known artist.
Her rendition of the Prince song “Nothing Compares 2 U” shot to No. 1 in 1990, buoyed by the iconic music video which featured O’Connor, with close-cropped hair and a dark turtleneck.
The song was nominated for multiple Grammys and scored O’Connor wins for both MTV video of the year and best video by a female artist. Other songs on the album that reaped praise for the singer included the pointed and politically charged anthem “Black Boys on Mopeds.”
