There is sad news on this otherwise nondescript Wednesday, as iconic Irish artist and activist Sinéad O’Connor has died, according to the Irish Times. O’Connor was 56.
No cause of death has been given, but Variety published a statement from O’Connor’s family: “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.”
Wildly outspoken, often fearless, and always courageous, O’Connor and her captivating voice released 10 albums over her controversial career, starting in 1987 with The Lion and the Cobra, which provided the classic O’Connor songs “Mandinka” and “Drink Before The War.” In 1990, she achieved global stardom with the Prince-penned ballad “Nothing Compares 2 U,” from her album I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got. The album was in 2012 ranked at number 408 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
“Nothing Compares 2 U” was named the Number 1 single of that year by the Billboard Music Awards, spending four weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the charts in O’Connor’s native Ireland, as well as Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom.
O’Connor gained notoriety in 1992 when she infamously tore up a picture of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live, following her a capella performance of Bob Marley’s “War” as a protest against the Catholic Church’s sexual abuse of children. After highlighting the word “evil” in the song, she then ripped up the photo, told viewers to “Fight the real enemy,” and threw the pieces to the ground. The backlash was swift and severe, and O’Connor never truly recovered.
Between 1992 and 2014 she released eight more albums, the last being I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss. It was nominated for the Irish Meteor Choice Music Prize for Best Album.
In 2018, O’Connor converted to Islam and changed her name to Shuhada’ Sadaqat. She is survived by her three children; her 17-year-old Shane died just last year.
Also last year, a Showtime documentary titled Nothing Compares chronicled her rise and fall. Watch the trailer for that below.
RIP.
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