Following Wednesday (July 26) news of Sinéad O’Connor‘s death at age 56, friends and admirers paid tribute to the special Irish singer.
She's best remembered for the song “Nothing Compares 2 U,” a heart-wrenching, Prince-penned ballad that made her a global superstar and climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1990. Many praised her for not only her incredible music but her outspokenness over issues of politics and more, including her controversial 1992 appearance on Saturday Night Live where she tore up a photo of Pope John Pual II in protest against the sexual abuse of children in the Catholic Church.
Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan wrote on Instagram: “Fiercely honest and sweet and funny, 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 canceled for an act of simple resistance. Her crime? Tearing up a photo.”
Ice-T via Twitter: “Respect to Sinead….. She stood for something… Unlike most people…. Rest Easy.”
Conor McGregor via Twitter: “The world has lost an artist with the voice of an Angel. Ireland has lost an iconic voice and one of our absolute finest by a long shot. And I have lost a friend. Sinead’s music will live on and continue to inspire! Rest In Peace, Sinead you are home with your son, I am sure.”
“I’m heartbroken. This disgusting world broke her and kept on breaking her. Godspeed, dear fragile dove. Thank you for all the beauty and all the wise teachings you offered up to us. I wish you nothing but peace, and I will love you for all of time," wrote Garbage.