Good morning Radicals! Hope everyone had a lovely Martin Luther King Day!
Some terrible news broke yesterday afternoon: Cranberries singer Dolores O’Riordan died suddenly on Monday in a London hotel at the age of 46, according to the Associated Press. O’Riordan was in London for a short recording session and at press time the cause of her death was not immediately announced. O’Riordan’s publicist said in a statement, “Family members are devastated to hear the news and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.” According to Variety, Metropolitan Police in London confirmed that “a woman in her mid-40s was pronounced dead at the scene,” adding, “At this early stage the death is being treated as unexplained.”
O’Riordan, who was born in Limerick, Ireland, joined the Cranberries in 1990 after original vocalist Niall Quinn quit. The group signed with Island Records in 1992 and released its debut disc, Everyone Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? the following year. The LP reached Number One on the U.K. and Irish album charts, while climbing to Number 18 on the Billboard 200 chart in the U.S. The set spawned two hit singles in “Linger” and “Dreams.” The band released its sophomore album, No Need To Argue, in 1994 and topped the Alternative chart with the track “Zombie,” which became their biggest hit.
The Cranberries released a total of seven studio albums, the last being 2017’s Something Else, and scored an additional five Top 20 singles on Modern Rock radio, including “Ode to My Family,” “Ridiculous Thoughts,” “Salvation,” “Free to Decide” and “Promises.” The quartet has sold more than 40 million records worldwide, including over 10 million in the U.S. O’Riordan released two solo albums, 2007’s Are You Listening? and 2009’s No Baggage. She also recently started a new band called D.A.R.K. that released its debut effort in 2016. Rock artists around the world responded to the shocking news that Cranberries singer Dolores O’Riordan had died suddenly. New Stone Temple Pilots singer Jeff Gutt wrote, “Rest In Peace Dolores O’Riordan. I’ve heard people all over the world singing her songs with crowds enthusiastically singing back. Truly a special musician and songwriter.”
Singer-songwriter Hozier, a native of Ireland like O’Riordan, wrote on Twitter, “My first time hearing Dolores O’Riordan’s voice was unforgettable. It threw into question what a voice could sound like in that context of Rock. I’d never heard somebody use their instrument in that way. Shocked and saddened to hear of her passing, thoughts are with her family.”
Meanwhile, Smashing Pumpkins frontman William Corgan shared on Instagram, “Too many, too soon. RIP Dolores xxxx.” Other artists and celebrities who posted tributes or comments included James Corden, Diplo, Diane Warren, Dave Davies of the Kinks, Liz Phair, Duran Duran, Josh Groban and more.
Foo Fighters and Royal Blood are among the artists nominated for the 2018 Brit Awards, the British equivalent of the Grammys. The Foos are up for Best International Group, along with the Killers, Arcade Fire, LCD Soundsystem and Haim. Meanwhile, Royal Blood will compete for Best British Group with The xx, Wolf Alice, Gorillaz and London Grammar.
Foo Fighters have won International Group three previous times, in 2008, 2012 and 2015. Frontman Dave Grohl told us that the band, which has also picked up 11 Grammys in its career, never views such awards as a competition: “I think some people probably do see it as like a competitive thing. Like someone like Kanye West, I think he genuinely gets pissed off if he doesn’t win a trophy. We’re a simple band. Like, when the Grammys say, ‘Hey, we think you should be nominated for Album of the Year,’ you’re like, ‘Really? Cool!’ You know, that’s, it’s pretty great. And then if you win it, it’s a great thing, but if you lose it, it’s like, it doesn’t really matter, you know.”
The Foos will also perform for the first time at the Brits, leading frontman Dave Grohl to post on Twitter, “How the f**k have we never played at #BRITs before!?!?! We’ve had a ton of firsts over in the UK…you guys have always been so good to us. Why not add 2018 BRIT awards to the list??!?!? Let’s make some noise. See you there, Dave.”
The 2018 Brit Awards will take place on February 21st at the O2 Arena in London.
Linkin Park bassist Dave “Phoenix” Farrell has launched a new podcast called Member Guest. Farrell is co-hosting the program alongside professional golfer Brendan Steele and Farrell‘s long-time friend Mark Fiore. The podcast’s website states, “We are experts at a few things, and amateurs at many. Cheers to the endless pursuit of Golf, Music and less important things.”
Avenged Sevenfold singer M. Shadows is their first guest on the show’s debut episode, which is streaming now. Upcoming guests include Green Day drummer Tre Cool and pro golfers John Mallinger and Charley Hoffman.
Linkin Park has not officially announced whether the band intends to carry on without singer Chester Bennington, who took his own life on July 20th of last year. Aside from Farrell, Linkin Park vocalist Mike Shinoda has stayed active online and recently released a photo of himself in the studio, although he did not reveal what he was recording.
Birthays over the long weekend include, Foo Fighter’s (and many others!) Dave Grohl, guitar legend Zakk Wylde and Tool guitarist Adam Jones! HBD to all!
