ICONIC WOMEN IN MUSIC
Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor dies aged 56
Brash and outspoken — her shaved head, pained expression, and shapeless wardrobe a direct challenge to popular culture’s long-prevailing notions of femininity and sexuality — Sinéad O’Connor changed the image of women in music in the early 1990s.
Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor, known for topping the charts around the world with the 1990 song Nothing Compares 2 U, has died at the age of 56, Irish national broadcaster RTE quoted her family as saying on Wednesday.
“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,” RTE quoted a statement from the singer’s family as saying.
O’Connor crashed on to the global music scene with her mesmerising version of the song originally written by Prince, facing directly into the camera for the music video that has subsequently been viewed almost 400 million times on YouTube.
Long known as much for her shaved head and outspoken views on religion, sex, feminism and war as for her music, she will be remembered in some quarters for ripping up a photo of Pope John Paul II during a television appearance on Saturday Night Live.
Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor sings at a concert in aid of the Chernobyl Children’s Project in The Tivoli Theatre 6 March 2003 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo: Getty Images)
Brash and outspoken — her shaved head, pained expression, and shapeless wardrobe a direct challenge to popular culture’s long-prevailing notions of femininity and sexuality — O’Connor changed the image of women in music in the early 1990s.
“Everyone wants a pop star, see?” she wrote in her 2021 memoir Rememberings. “But I am a protest singer. I just had stuff to get off my chest. I had no desire for fame.”
O’Connor converted to Islam in 2018 and changed her name to Shuhada Sadaqat, though continued to perform under the name Sinéad O’Connor.
“Her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare,” Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar posted on the messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter, sharing his condolences with “all who loved her music”. DM
It’s not being reported anywhere but it is assumed she committed suicide.
What a loss. Sinead had the most beautiful voice in the contemporary era. And used it to the greatest effect. She was not just a singer, but a poet, philosopher and historian too. Rest in peace.
Into the void your soul is hurled – iFaigh síocháin, Sinéad.
Ripped up a pic of the pope then became a moslem, sounds familiar.. Now if she’d ripped up a pic of mohammed THAT would’ve been a ‘direct challenge to popular culture’s long-prevailing notions’ of being a rebel..
Few compare 2U. R.I.P one of the greatest.