Remembering Dolores O’Riordan
On July 5, 1993 I went to the Fern Park Station in Casselberry, FL to see power-pop legends The Posies.
Upon arriving, I headed to the bar to get a drink and there stood a beautiful young woman with close-cropped hair. It was Dolores O’Riordan.
The Cranberries’ debut album had just been released and they were playing small clubs in America to support it. On this night, they were The Posies’ unannounced support act. I was STOKED.
(photo: Jim Leatherman)
Before they played I realized that I only brought a couple rolls of film, so I had to make a run to buy more to shoot The Cranberries. They played a quick set of songs from their Everybody Else is Doing It album and Uncertain ep.
(photo: Jim Leatherman)
They closed with the then-unreleased “Zombie” – a stark contrast to their jangly, ethereal set. “Zombie” was heavier, more angst-ridden and almost metal sounding.
(photo: Jim Leatherman)
After the Posies played, I ended up hanging out with the band. We toasted with a few shots and pints while chatting about music. Dolores dug my Pogues t-shirt.
She was so gracious and sweet – shy and reflective, but also quite effusive and funny.
They said they were playing in Jacksonville Beach the following night and put me on their guest list. I drove up early and hung out with them for sound check and talked them in to letting me snap a few portraits on the beach behind the club.
(photo: Jim Leatherman)
Before I left Orlando, I stopped off at a friend’s jewelry store and bought Dolores a pair of earrings shaped like the state of Florida, to bring as a present for her. She was so gracious and sweet – shy and reflective, but also quite effusive and funny. She had purchased the Metallica / Guns N Roses tour shirt at the little record store inside the club before we did the walk on the beach and laughed about covering “Master of Puppets” or “Sweet Child O’ Mine”.
(photo: Jim Leatherman)
They were all so down to Earth and funny. It was a great experience to get to know them, before they got “big & famous”. Dolores stayed in touch and when they played Orlando again in November 1993 (after the album became a hit), she made sure I had a photo pass and ticket to see them play at the downtown concert venue The Edge and then in August of 1994 she invited me to see and photograph them at the Masquerade in Atlanta, GA. After the Atlanta show, I lost touch with her.
(photo: Jim Leatherman)
Minutes ago i read that she has passed away today at the young age of 46. I am so sad. She was a sweetheart and a massive talent. Rest in Peace, Dolores ♡
(photo: Jim Leatherman)
Well penned Jim. What a wonderful story.
Thanks for sharing.
has anyone seen lightning, has anyone looked lovely?.
Thank you for sharing this… great memories and beautiful photographs that are just so special. How awesome for Dolores’ children to see their mother so young, and beautiful, with a smile full of hope.
I sang her songs everyday. The Cranberries has always been in my life. I grew up listening their songs. RIP Dolores, your voice your songs are magic. You will always in my heart and always be a part of my life. Thank you 😢
Thank you Jim , for sharing this wonderful story and your beautiful pics of Dolores and the Cranberries…. Dolores O’Riordan was an incredible artist, and she will be sadly missed. #rip #dolores #síocháin
sais tons les cause du decers de la chanteuse cars elle va beaucoups nous manquers toutes mes condoleances aux groupes the cranberris
Jim I know how you feel. I knew Dolores 30 years ago and lost touch through my own fault of treating her bad. Her career has followed me ever since and been part of my life. Although I have not spoken to her in 18 years when i heard of her premature death it left an emptiness in side me as I know now i will never be able to tell her sorry to her face.
Dolores, we are now Zombie
Another girl dies lowly
Voice is sharply taken
And her silence caused such soreness
Who are now unbroken ?
But you see she’s now free
She’s now my family
In our heart, in our head
We are crying
With her eyes and her voice
And her heart and her suns
In our heart,
In our head we are cryin’
In our heart, in our head
We will be, zombie, zombie
Hey, hey
What’s in our heart, without her
We will be, zombie, zombie
Another angel’s breakin’
Heart is taking over
When the silence causes sufferance
We must be heartbroken
It’s the fame young girl since nineteen-ninety
In our heart,
In our head we’re still cryin’
With her eyes and her voice
And her heart and her suns
In our heart, in our head we are singin’
In our heart, in our head
We will be, zombie, zombie
Hey, hey
What’s in your heart, in your head
We must be, zombie, zombie
I remember the concert to Bolzano (ITALY)
Thank’s Dolores !!!!
Thanks Jim for your beautiful history, we’ll miss her forever, for the rest of our lives!
Thank you for sharing this and for the beautiful photos. So sad to lose such a talent so young. I’ve loved The Cranberries since they started out and Dolores’s voice is so beautiful and unique. RIP Dolores, you will be very much missed xx
Jim. It is amazing. I never been in gig’s The Cranberries, but it is one of the most my favorie band. I envy that you met Dolores on your road.
Roman from Poznań, Poland
Thanks for sharing your sincere memories and the special photos about Dolores and the Cranberries. I went to their “the Stars tour” concert in Istanbul , I think it was in 2003. It is always hard to lose the beloved ones but the beloved ones will always live in minds…
Great story bro, I’m 51 years old and starting to take care of things on my bucket list after my hart attack. I bought a ticket to see them in Atlanta, figured rd trip from fla.. not bad. Sadden to find out that the show was canceled 😔…..it looks like only part of my bucket list will remain there…