Sinéad O’Connor death updates — Irish singer’s producer says star’s final album was a single track from being finished
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IRISH legend Sinéad O'Connor died at the age of 56 - but she still has more to share with fans.
The singer announced on July 11, barely two weeks before she was discovered unresponsive in her new home, that she would "soon be finishing my album."
No Veteran Dies Alone, her new album, has been in the works for approximately five years and would have been Sinéad's first release since I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss in 2014.
Sinéad's producer David Holmes said that the "emotional and really personal" album is eight tracks long and that she was only one song away from completing it, per .
The release of the album is currently unknown, and David said: "She was excited about it and excited to get it finished. This is up to her family and estate, and I will gladly do as I’m told."
The Nothing Compares 2 U singer. 56, was tragically "pronounced dead at the scene" on Wednesday morning - but the capital's Met Police force has confirmed her death is "not being treated as suspicious."
Sinéad leaves behind three children. Shane, her fourth son, died last year at the age of 17.
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Our live coverage of the death of Sinead O'Connor has now closed.
But fear not, as you can keep up to date with all the news about the late protest singer here.
Before I met Sinead O’Connor her intensity scared me – but then she sought me out and the conversation floored me
This is a comment piece by Ulrika Jonsson.
I wonder why it’s more difficult to find the words to describe someone great than it is someone we dislike.
It could be there is not enough vocabulary to articulate true awesomeness.
More on Sinéad’s family
Sinéad O’Connor was a mother of four, welcoming three sons and one daughter throughout her lifetime.
In 1987, she had her firstborn, Jake Reynolds, 36, with her ex-husband, John Reynolds.
She welcomed her daughter, Roisin Waters, 27, in 1996.
Rosin’s father is Irish columnist and author John Waters.
On March 10, 2004, Sinéad welcomed her son Shane Lunny with Irish musician Dónal Lunny.
Shane tragically died on January 7, 2022, at the age of 17.
In 2006, Sinéad welcomed her youngest child, 16-year-old Yeshua Bonadio, with her ex-beau, Frank Bonadio.
Tributes flood in
Fans of the late singer have flooded Twitter with tributes and kind words after learning of her death.
One fan wrote: “Oh no, I’ve just heard about Sinead O’Connor. Devastated.
“I pretty much fell in love with her the first time I saw & heard her sing Mandinka, obsessed on that album for years.
“She meant so much to me. Always.”
Another wrote: “Not gonna lie this Sinead O’Connor news has me deeply upset.”
Sinead O’Connor revealed mum abused her as child and made her live in the garden
Sinead O'Connor had a fractured relationship with her mother - but told how she used her voice to "soothe" her.
The iconic musician details the torment she suffered during her childhood at the hands of her "abusive" mother - who she also labeled as "a beast" and "the devil".
Last Twitter post
In a Twitter post on June 6 this year, Sinéad quoted a Hawaiian prayer.
It read: “This is dedicated to the many upon whom I have in my life so far brought suffering and is also, with love, for anyone who has in their lives so far brought suffering upon me.”
The singer died at the age of 56.
Carson Daly opens up about friendship, continued
She then answered Carson’s question openly and honestly, revealing that the moment transformed from being offensive into being a trailblazing statement in later years.
The purpose of Sinéad tearing Pope John Paull II’s pic was to symbolize her taking a stance against the Catholic Church.
Carson unveiled that the “sex abuse scandal of the Catholic Church exploded a decade prior” to Sinéad’s performance.
“Ten years after the Pope ripping episode, you all then found out in America that this [child abuse in the Catholic church] was going on,” she said.
“We [Europeans] always say ‘they [Americans] think nothing happened til they found out about it.'”
She added that ripping up the photo was “a blessing” because it led her to “make a living” doing what she loved, which is “making music live.”
Carson Daly opens up about friendship with star
Today star Carson Daly reflected on the formation of his friendship with Sinéad O’Connor in a tribute post he created for her on his Instagram account.
The 50-year-old NBC host released a throwback clip of him interviewing the late Sinéad on Today in 2021.
In the shared snippet of their meeting, Carson had asked the world-renowned singer why she said that her 1992 Saturday Night Live performance “re-railed her career.”
Despite the public perception that what she did on SNL – ripping up a photo of Pope John Paul II – “derailed her career.”
Sinéad first admitted that she was “never meant to be a pop star” because she was actually a “protest singer.”
Russell Crowe pays tribute to ‘hero’ Sinéad O’Connor
Russell Crowe has shared an emotional tribute to Sinéad O’Connor – and told how she was a “hero”.
The iconic Irish singer, best known for her hit Nothing Compares 2 U, has passed away 18 months after the devastating loss of 17-year-old Shane O’Connor.
In a long and emotional tribute to the late singer, Crowe speaks of a chance encounter with O’Conner while filming in Ireland, describing her as an “amazing woman” and a “hero.”
What does the Irish name Sinéad mean?
Sinéad is a name of Irish origin that means “God is gracious.”
Sinéad is the feminine counterpart to the Hebrew male name Yohannan.
Yohannan translates to “God forgave” or “God gratified” in English.
While Jeanette serves as the French counterpart to the name Sinéad, Janet is considered the English version.
Family’s full statement
In a statement, the singer’s family said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinead.
“Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”
Yusuf remembers legendary singer
Iconic singer Yusuf, formerly Cat Stevens, has paid tribute to the late Sinéad O’Connor.
Taking to Twitter, he wrote: “Sad to hear of the passing of sister Shuhada Sadaqat, also known as Sinéad O’Connor.
“She was a tender soul, may God, Most Merciful, grant her everlasting peace.”
Pink and Brandi Carlile honor Sinéad O’Connor
Just hours after the news broke of Sinéad O’Connor’s death, musicians Pink and Brandi Carlile teamed up to perform her biggest hit, Nothing Compares 2 U, at Pink’s concert in Cincinnati, Ohio.
After the emotional rendition, Pink said to the audience: “You just never know … what people are going through, so it’s not hard to give people a smile, it’s not hard to be kind.
She continued: “I’m learning that lesson in this lifetime as well, we can all learn that together.”
Sinéad announced retirement in 2021
In June of 2021, Sinéad announced her retirement from the music industry.
Her final studio album, No Veteran Dies Alone, was released in 2022 – but the musician said she would not tour nor promote the work.
“This is to announce my retirement from touring and from working in the record business,” she announced on Twitter.
“I’ve gotten older and I’m tired. So it’s time for me to hang up my nipple tassels, having truly given my all. NVDA in 2022 will be my last release. And there’ll be no more touring or promo.”
Just days later, on June 7, Sinead retracted her statement, calling it a “knee-jerk reaction,” and announced she will be going on her scheduled tour post-album release.
Irish Prime Minister pays tribute
Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s prime minister, shared his condolences for the Irish singer on Twitter, : “Really sorry to hear of the passing of Sinéad O’Connor.
“Her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare.”
He added, “Condolences to her family, her friends and all who loved her music.”
About Sinéad O’Connor’s marriage to Barry Herridge, part two
The statement continued: “My husband was enormously wounded, and very badly affected by that experience, and also by the attitude of those close to him toward our marriage.”
She explained: “It became apparent to me that if he were to stay with me, he would be losing too much to bear. And that being with me was not going to serve him positively, career-wise, or any otherwise.
“I saw his life leave him because of how people close to him reacted. And I can’t take anyone’s life.
“And a woman wants to be a joy to her husband. So…U love someone? Set them free.”
However, it was revealed they reconciled on January 29, 2012.
About Sinéad O’Connor’s marriage to Barry Herridge
On December 9, 2011, Sinéad O’Connor tied the knot with therapist Barry Herridge in a small Las Vegas ceremony.
On December 28 of the same year, Sinéad announced she and Barry decided to separate.
At the time, the GRAMMY Award winner shared with fans via an official statement: “I had for reasons you will all understand, wished to keep this private but have been told today it is to be leaked in the next few days despite my best efforts.
“From the moment myself and my husband got together not long ago, there was intense pressure placed upon him by certain people in his life, not to be involved with me.
“Within 3 hours of the ceremony being over, the marriage was kyboshed by the behaviour of certain people in my husband’s life.
“And also by a bit of a wild ride I took us on looking for a bit of a smoke of weed for me wedding night, as I don’t drink.”
Sinéad was working on a new album when she died
Sinéad had been “completing her new album” according to her management company, along with reviewing tour dates for next year and considering transforming her memoir into a movie, when she was found dead on Wednesday.
“Wonderful plans were afoot at this time,” representatives from 67 Management said after learning of her death.
The management company shared a on their website sending “love, our thoughts, our prayers” to Sinead's family.
“As tribute to those who were part of Sinead’s team over our tenure it has to be mentioned that Sinead was completing her new album, reviewing new tour dates for 2024 and considering opportunities in relation to a movie of her book," they said.
"It has been an honour to have worked with Sinead professionally, as musicians, producers and her artist managers over the last nine years, but much, much more than that Sinead was family. May she rest in peace," they finished.
Sinéad’s discography
The following list details Sinéad’s award-winning discography from the moment she began releasing music in the late 1980s:
- 1987: The Lion and the Cobra
- 1990: I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got
- 1992: Am I Not Your Girl?
- 1994: Universal Mother
- 1997: Gospel Oak (EP)
- 2000: Faith and Courage
- 2002: Sean-Nós Nua
- 2005: Throw Down Your Arms
- 2007: Theology
- 2012: How About I Be Me (and You Be You)?
- 2014: I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss
- Upcoming: No Veteran Dies Alone
Morrissey blasts 'hypocritical' tributes to Sinead, part three
Singer Morrissey has shared a scathing commentary of the people who are now publically mourning Sinéad O’Connor's passing that did not support her when she was alive.
"Because she refused to be labelled, and she was degraded, as those few who move the world are always degraded. Why is ANYBODY surprised that Sinead O’Connor is dead?," he said in the posted on his website.
"Who cared enough to save Judy Garland, Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, Marilyn Monroe, Billie Holiday?," he asked.
"Where do you go when death can be the best outcome? Was this music madness worth Sinead’s life? No, it wasn’t," he wrote.
"She was a challenge, and she couldn’t be boxed-up, and she had the courage to speak when everyone else stayed safely silent. She was harassed simply for being herself."
"Her eyes finally closed in search of a soul she could call her own," he said.
Morrissey blasts 'hypocritical' tributes to Sinéad, part two
Singer Morrissey shared a harsh critique of the people who are now publically mourning Sinéad O’Connor's death but that did not support her when she was alive.
"The cruel playpen of fame gushes with praise for Sinéad today… with the usual moronic labels of “icon” and “legend”. You praise her now ONLY because it is too late. You hadn’t the guts to support her when she was alive and she was looking for you," he said in the posted on his website.
"Music CEOs who had put on their most charming smile as they refused her for their roster are queuing-up to call her a 'feminist icon'… when it was YOU who talked Sinéad into giving up."
Sinéad's cause of death has yet to be confirmed by authorities.
Morrissey blasts 'hypocritical' tributes to Sinéad
Legendary singer and songwriter Morrissey, previously of The Smiths, shared a harsh critique of the people who are now publically mourning Sinéad O’Connor's passing that did not support her when she was alive.
“She had only so much ‘self’ to give," Morrissey said in the , posted on his website.
"She was dropped by her label after selling 7 million albums for them. She became crazed, yes, but uninteresting, never. She had done nothing wrong. She had proud vulnerability," he said.
"There is a certain music industry hatred for singers who don’t ‘fit in’ (this I know only too well), and they are never praised until death - when, finally, they can’t answer back."
Annie Lennox pays tribute to the 'fierce and fragile' Sinéad
Scottish singer Annie Lennox has shared a moving tribute to the late Sinéad O'Connor, who passed away on Wednesday.
"You bared your soul… Shared your brilliance," she wrote on Twitter.
"Your incredible voice.. Fierce and fragile, Lioness and lamb, Sweet singing bird," she wrote in the .
"Keenly tuned, Trembling.. Tip-toeing along the high wire."
"Or stamping the ground, Raw, Wounded, Fearless...," Lennox wrote, attaching a photo of the icon as a young woman.
Documentary about Sinéad’s life available for streaming now, continued
would smoke marijuana and "bop around the studio" to reggae, Director John Maybury says in the documentary Nothing Compares that is airing now on Paramount+, or Hulu and Amazon with a Showtime subscription.
"Looking down that lens I saw this connection coming down the camera. This is really something else, this is not my direction, this is entirely her," he said.
Kathryn Ferguson, another director who worked on the documentary, expressed her sadness at Sinéad's passing and tweeted that she hopes the film can "serve as a reminder of her greatness" after her death on Wednesday aged 56.
"Feeling bereft and in shock as I know a lot of you are too. Sinéad wasn't family or a close friend but I feel like I've lost a limb. I'm so happy we managed to make Nothing Compares, that we had her blessing and that she got to see the reaction to it and feel the love.”
“We spoke a bit this past year and I know the reaction to the film brought her some lightness amongst the heartbreak. I'm just so sorry she's gone," she said.
Documentary about Sinéad's life available for streaming now
The documentary, titled Nothing Compares after the icon's first hit cover, was released in cinemas last year and can currently be streamed on Paramount+, or Hulu and Amazon with a Showtime subscription.
The film chronicles Sinéad's life with rarely-seen footage as she rises to stardom in the 90s and faces controversy in both her career and relationships.
"In one way, I loved it. Obviously, I was very a young woman and you kind of fantasize about being famous. In another way, I was frightened by it," she told about the biopic.
"What maybe was different for me was the timing of the success thing, it meant that I suddenly had this identity."
"I didn't feel like it was really me. To be honest, I also had very little self-esteem and I couldn't understand why anyone liked my records."