Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor, who topped the charts internationally with the Prince-written hit “Nothing Compares 2 U,” has died. She was 56.
Her household confirmed the dying in a press release to the BBC on Wednesday.
“It’s with nice disappointment that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad,” the assertion learn. “Her household and mates are devastated and have requested privateness at this very tough time.”
O’Connor was born in Dublin on Dec. 8, 1966. She had a sophisticated and controversial music profession, talking overtly about politics, spirituality and her psychological well being struggles. She famously ripped up a photograph of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Evening Dwell in 1992 and weeks later was booed offstage at New York Metropolis’s Madison Sq. Backyard throughout a Bob Dylan tribute live performance.
She additionally objected to the nationwide anthem being performed at her concert events, inflicting some radio stations to ban her music. It additionally triggered O’Connor to feud with Frank Sinatra, who was sad along with her choice.
O’Connor launched her debut album, The Lion and the Cobra, in 1987, and adopted it with 1990’s I Do Not Need What I Haven’t Received, which featured “Nothing Compares 2 U.” The observe was a world success for O’Connor however was first recorded by Prince for 1985’s The Household, his album together with his band of the identical identify. The track spent 4 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Scorching 100 chart and helped O’Connor earn 4 Grammy nominations for the track and album, however she withdrew from the competitors.
The track’s music video, that includes close-ups of O’Connor and her signature shaved head, was additionally a hit. Miley Cyrus’ 2013 hit “Wrecking Ball” borrowed from O’Connor’s video but additionally featured Cyrus nude and licking a sledgehammer. O’Connor wrote an open letter to the singer, warning her to keep away from being sexually exploited by the music trade.
O’Connor launched 10 albums — her final full-length launch was 2014’s I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss. She launched her memoir, Rememberings, in 2021.
The singer stated rising up in an abusive family led to her melancholy. She added that turning into well-known didn’t assist issues. “I used to be at all times form of very anxious and never essentially in a position to expertise happiness or enjoyable or no matter,” she stated on The Oprah Winfrey Present in 2007.
She stated at 33 she had her first severe suicide try, and 4 years later she was recognized as bipolar. “The amount simply slowly went up and up and up,” she instructed Winfrey. “It’s nearly very tough to clarify when you find yourself the person who suffers from the factor, however one of the simplest ways I can describe it’s it’s nearly like earlier than you get unwell, you’re a strong wall … and whilst you’re unwell, it’s just like the bricks are falling away and it’s one teetering little brick.”
Her final public look was on the RTÉ Selection Music Awards in Dublin in March, the place she acquired a standing ovation after successful traditional Irish album for I Do Not Need What I Haven’t Received. She devoted the award to “all refugees in Eire.”
O’Connor revealed in 2022 that her 17-year-old son died by suicide. Months later she canceled her exhibits for the 12 months “as a result of persevering with grief over the tragic lack of her beloved son Shane.” She was married 4 occasions and is survived by her three youngsters.
She transformed to Islam in 2018 and adjusted her identify to Shuhada’ Sadaqat.
