Dolores O'Riordan was an Irish singer-songwriter best known as the vocalist for the alternative rock band The Cranberries. O'Riordan was born to a working class Irish Catholic family in Limerick. On her first day of secondary school, she introduced herself by saying "My name is Dolores O'Riordan and I'm going to be a rock star". This would prove true when she dropped out of school to join The Cranberries. They became one of the most important groups of their time, combining an innovative sound with social messages (mostly about the realities of IRA conflict). Their tracks "Dreams", "Zombie" and "Linger" are often cited as some of the most popular of the 1990s and as inspiration for current artists. O'Riordan tragically died at 46 from drowning due to alcohol intoxication. She is remembered as one of the most distinctive artists and writers in popular music.