Irish singer-songwriter Dolores O'Riordan, frontwoman of the multi-million selling rock band The Cranberries, died suddenly in London on Monday aged 46, her publicist said.
The band burst onto the international music scene in the 1990s with their hit song, Linger, followed by the generational anthem, Zombie.
Musicians, politicians and music lovers have all turned to social media to express their sorrow.
Irish president Michael D. Higgins paid his respects to the singer and said the band had an incredible influence on the country's rock scene.
"Dolores O'Riordan and The Cranberries had an immense influence on rock and pop music in Ireland and internationally," his statement read.
"I recall with fondness the late Limerick TD Jim Kemmy's introduction of her and The Cranberries to me, and the pride he and so many others took in their successes."
Dave Davies, lead guitarist and backing singer of English rock band The Kinks, shared a photo of himself and O'Riordan on Twitter with a heartfelt message.
Irish singer and songwriter Hozier said the first time he heard O'Riordan's voice was "unforgettable" and he was "shocked and saddened" to hear the news.
Late night television host James Corden told a personal story of meeting O'Riordan when he was just 15 years old.
"I once met Delores (sic) O'Riordan when I was 15. She was kind and lovely, I got her autograph on my train ticket and it made my day. She had the most amazing voice and presence. So sorry to hear that she’s passed away today," he wrote.
American singer Julia Michaels also took to social media to express her shock.
On Monday, a statement was released to announce her death.
"Irish and international singer Dolores O'Riordan has died suddenly in London today, family members are devastated," Lindsey Holmes said in a statement.
"The lead singer with the Irish band The Cranberries was in London for a short recording session. No further details are available at this time.
"Family members are devastated to hear the breaking news and have requested privacy at this very difficult time."
The Daily Mail reports O'Riordan died in a hotel in London, where she had been recording with the band D.A.R.K, which she formed with former Smiths bassist Andy Rourke in 2009.
Family 'very devastated'
The Cranberries achieved international success in the 1990s with their debut album "Everyone Else is Doing it, So Why Can't We?", which included the hit single "Linger".
Follow-up album "No Need to Argue" went to number one in Australia, France and Germany, and number 6 in the United States.
The album also gave rise to politically-charged single "Zombie", an angry response to the deadly Northern Ireland conflict, which hit number one across Europe. The band sold around 40 million records worldwide.
O'Riordan, from Friarstown in the Irish county of Limerick, will be buried in Ireland, according to the parish priest in her home town.
James Walton, priest at Ballybricken and Bohermore parish, told Britain's Press Association her family "is very devastated and upset".
"Her family are still waiting for more details to come from London about her death," he said.
"The plan is for her to be buried here at home. When that will be will depend on when her body is released."
'Immense influence on rock'
The band, which formed in 1989, went on a hiatus in 2003 with O'Riordon telling AFP in a 2012 interview that "we were stuck in a rut. We just needed a break."
O'Riordan headed to Canada, where she gave birth to her third child, but The Cranberries reformed in 2009 after getting together for a one-off show.
"At home I'm a house-keeper and a mum. The kids are, like, 'What's for dinner? Where are my clothes?'. On tour it's, like: 'room-service'," she said of the comeback.
She hit the headlines in 2014 after pleading guilty to assaulting three police officers and a flight attendant during a flight from New York to Ireland, and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder shortly afterwards.
The band was forced to cancel 14 concerts last year due to "medical reasons associated with a back problem" for O'Riordan.
The singer's last Facebook posting came shortly before Christmas.
"Hi All, Dolores here. Feeling good! I did my first bit of gigging in months at the weekend, performed a few songs at the Billboard annual staff holiday party in New York with the house band," it read.
"Really enjoyed it! Happy Christmas to all our fans!! Xo".
The band recently played in South America, with O'Riordan tweeting pictures of a show in Lima, Peru.
Irish President Michael D Higgins led the tributes, calling her death "a big loss".
"Dolores O'Riordan and The Cranberries had an immense influence on rock and pop music in Ireland and internationally," he said in a statement.
O'Riordan married Don Burton, former tour manager of Duran Duran, in 1994 but the couple divorced in 2014.
Duran Duran posted on their official Twitter page that "we are crushed to hear the news about the passing of Dolores O'Riordan. Our thoughts go out to her family at this terrible time".
The band released their final album "Something Else" last year.
- with AFP, Reuters
