Sinéad O'CONNORSinéad O’Connor has died at the age of 56, her family announced yesterday.
The Grammy-winning Irish singer was propelled to international stardom in 1990 with her ballad Nothing Compares 2 U. Her musical talent aside, over the years she became well-known for being outspoken about her social and political views.
The Irish singer, whose cause of death is not yet known, is survived by three children. Her son Shane sadly passed away last year at the age of 17.
Her interest in music began in 1979, when at the age of 15 her shoplifting and truancy issues led to her being placed in a Magdalene Asylum, for 18 months. It was here she started to develop her writing and music and was subsequently “discovered” by the drummer of popular Irish band Tua Nua, where she went on to co-write their song Take My Hand.
In 1985 while performing in a band called Ton Ton Macoute she left and moved to London where she was signed to Ensign records.
At the age of 20, while recording her first album, The Lion and the Cobra, she became pregnant by her session drummer John Reynolds. They had a son, Jake, and married in 1987.
Her first album was hailed "a sensation", reaching gold record status and earning O’Connor a Grammy nomination. Upon the release of her second album – 1990's I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got – she had formed the identity with which we’ve come to associate her - in particular, her trademark shaved head.
Initially an assertion against traditional views of women, after she began to grow it back, but shaved it off again after she was compared to singer Enya.
She said: "I don't feel like me unless I have my hair shaved. So even when I'm an old lady, I'm going to have it."
The album contained the breakthrough hit "Nothing Compares 2 U" that saw her reach superstar status. It was an obscure piece obscure piece originally written by Prince for his side project, The Family.
In Ireland it went on to become the eighth most successful single of the 90s, characterised by its artsy filmclip.
It received worldwide recognition and earned O’Connor several Grammy nominations - she eventually won the 1991 Grammy for Best Alternative Music Performance, but boycotted the awards. She was also named Artist of the Year in 1991 by Rolling Stone magazine.
She was nominated for another two Grammy Awards for her release Universal Mother (1994) and also toured with Lollapalooza in 1995.
Our thoughts are with Sinéad's family, friends and fans. We invite you to pay tribute to Sinéad below.
*Credit Mirror.co.uk for the story.
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