Sinead O’Connor’s voice ‘was Ireland right down to the ground’
S
inead O’Connor has been labelled “the greatest voice of her generation” amid a number of tributes to the Irish singer.
Artists from throughout the musical spectrum, writers, actors and different celebrities shared their admiration for the usually controversial singer, who has died on the age of 56.
Writer Bonnie Greer described O’Connor, who had a large hit with the Prince track Nothing Compares 2 U, as having a fantastic 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 creator Marian Keyes described the news as “heartbreaking”, describing the singer as an “amazing, brave, beautiful, unique wonder”, whereas author Caitlin Moran mentioned O’Connor was “THE greatest voice of her generation, no contest” and “fearless”.
Victoria Mary Clarke, the spouse of The Pogues star Shane MacGowan, thanked O’Connor for her “love and friendship”.
Posting a photograph on Twitter of MacGowan and O’Connor collectively from their youthful 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.”
Clarke, who retweeted an image of the singer and her son Shane who died final yr, additionally remembered her as “incredibly funny” in a second submit.
“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 transformed to Islam, mentioned “she was a tender soul”, whereas singer-songwriter Billy Bragg described her as “braver than brave”.
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”, whereas American singer-songwriter Jason Isbell posted: “I hope there’s peace for Sinead at last.”
Among different musicians to submit tributes have been Belinda Carlisle, Janelle Monae, UB40, Melissa Etheridge, Margo Price and Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello.
Irish comic Dara O’Briain mentioned he hoped the singer “realised how much love there was for her”.
Actor Mayim Bialik mentioned “her music changed the industry”, including O’Connor’s “fierce fearlessness made a tremendous impression” on her as a youngster.
Oscar winner Russell Crowe shared a narrative about assembly her whereas working in Ireland final yr and having fun with a dialog exterior 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.”