Sinead O’Connor has been labelled “the greatest voice of her generation” amid a host of tributes to the Irish singer.
Artists from across the musical spectrum, writers, actors and other celebrities shared their admiration for the often controversial singer, who has died at the age of 56.
Writer Bonnie Greer described O’Connor, who had a massive hit with the Prince song Nothing Compares 2 U, as having a great soul music voice.
She tweeted: “Soul music is not about ‘ooh, baby, baby’. And I know about soul music because I was born and grew up around where Sam Cooke sang… and #Prince knew that #Sinead had it in her, too – that’s why she got his song.
“But her voice was #Ireland right down to the ground.”
The Irish author Marian Keyes described the news as “heartbreaking”, describing the singer as an “amazing, brave, beautiful, unique wonder”, while writer Caitlin Moran said O’Connor was “THE greatest voice of her generation, no contest” and “fearless”.
Sinead: and she was the first to talk about abuse in the Catholic church - tearing up the picture of the Pope on TV - but 99% of the music industry hung her out to dry. She was decades before her time, and fearless. Rest in power, queen.
— Caitlin Moran (@caitlinmoran) July 26, 2023
Waterford Secondary School
Sinead attended Newtown Secondary School in Waterford during the 1980's.
One of her teachers during that time was Joe Falvey, who she often credited with encouraging her to pursue her musical ambitions.
"In the mid 1980s she was in Newtown for fifth and most of sixth year," Joe said.
"She was due to sit her Leaving Cert in 1985 but music became a major force in her life during the course of sixth year and she actually didn't stay to do the Leaving Cert."
Victoria Mary Clarke, the wife of The Pogues star Shane MacGowan, thanked O’Connor for her “love and friendship”.
Posting a photo on Twitter of MacGowan and O’Connor together from their younger years, she wrote: “We don’t really have words for this but we want to thank you Sinead.
“For your love and your friendship and your compassion and your humour and your incredible music.
“We pray that you are at peace now with your beautiful boy. Love Victoria and Shane.”
We don’t really have words for this but we want to thank you 🙏 Sinead for your love and your friendship and your compassion and your humour and your incredible music. We pray that you are at peace now with your beautiful boy. Love Victoria and Shane pic.twitter.com/BOxkZZNXyX
— @victoriamary (@Victoriamary) July 26, 2023
Clarke, who retweeted a picture of the singer and her son Shane who died last year, also remembered her as “incredibly funny” in a second post.
“She told outrageous jokes at the most inappropriate times and she cracked me up! There will never be anyone even remotely like her,” she added.
The singer Cat Stevens, who like O’Connor converted to Islam, said “she was a tender soul”, while singer-songwriter Billy Bragg described her as “braver than brave”.
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. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon - Verily we belong to God, and verily to Him do we return. 2:156 pic.twitter.com/arcZ3fPWK9
— Yusuf / Cat Stevens (@YusufCatStevens) July 26, 2023
Smashing Pumpkins singer Billy Corgan posted on Instagram, saying she was “fiercely honest and sweet and funny.
He wrote: “She was talented in ways I’m not sure she completely understood. But Sinead stands alone as a figure from our generation who was always true to the piercing voice within and without. And for that I will always admire and respect her.
“And never forget that she was once cancelled for an act of simple resistance. Her crime? Tearing up a photo.”
Rapper turned actor Ice T tweeted: “Respect to Sinead….. She stood for something… Unlike most people”, while American singer-songwriter Jason Isbell posted: “I hope there’s peace for Sinead at last.”
Among other musicians to post tributes were Belinda Carlisle, Janelle Monae, UB40, Melissa Etheridge, Margo Price and Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello.
Irish comedian Dara O’Briain said he hoped the singer “realised how much love there was for her”.
Ah shite, Sinead O’Connor has died. That’s just very sad news. Poor thing. I hope she realised how much love there was for her.
— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) July 26, 2023
Actor Mayim Bialik said “her music changed the industry”, adding O’Connor’s “fierce fearlessness made a tremendous impression” on her as a teenager.
Oscar winner Russell Crowe shared a story about meeting her while working in Ireland last year and enjoying a conversation outside a pub.
He wrote: “In a conversation without fences we roamed through the recent Dublin heatwave, local politics, American politics, the ongoing fight for indigenous recognition in many places, but particularly in Australia, her warm memory of New Zealand, faith, music, movies and her brother the writer.
“I had the opportunity to tell her she was a hero of mine.
“What an amazing woman. Peace be with your courageous heart Sinéad.”
By Rob Freeman, PA
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