The sudden death of former Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan has sent the music world into shock, with a wide array of her friends and peers expressing their grief and love on social media.

O'Riordan died of as-yet unknown causes at the age of 46 today. “It is with great sadness that I have learned of the death of Dolores O’Riordan, musician, singer and songwriter," President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins said in a statement reprinted by the Irish Sun. “Dolores O’Riordan and the Cranberries had an immense influence on rock and pop music in Ireland and internationally."

As fans around the world instantly sent famous Cranberries songs such as "Linger" and "Zombie" back to the top of the sales charts, we learned O'Riordan was in London on Monday with plans to contribute vocals to a new version of "Zombie" recorded by metal band Bad Wolves.

"Dolores left me a voice message just after midnight last night stating how much she loved Bad Wolves' version of 'Zombie'; she was looking forward to seeing me in the studio and recording vocals," revealed Eleven Seven International Managing Director Dan Waite, a long-time friend of O’Riordan’s who coordinated the planned recording session. "She sounded full of life, was joking and excited to see me and and my wife this week. The news of her passing is devastating and my thoughts are with Don, her ex-husband, her children, and her mother."

Kinks guitarist Dave Davies also revealed that he and O'Riordan had briefly discussed the possibility of working together: "I was talking to her a couple weeks before Christmas she seemed happy and well - we even spoke about maybe writing some songs together."

 

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