Sinead O'Connor (Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)


Sinead O’Connor has cancelled her entire 2012 tour due to health problems. This includes a 12-date North American trek in support of her newest CD, How About I Be Me (And You Be You)?.

This is a shame because the new disc is excellent and it went Top 10 in Ireland and Top 40 in the
U.K. Since there is limited places to promote an album in this uncategorized category on tight radio format, live concerts are one of the best ways to assure that the music can be heard.

“With enormous regret I must announce that I have to cancel all touring for the year as I am very unwell due to bipolar disorder,” the singer announced in Munich where she had just pulled her Kongresshalle Alte Messe show.

“As you all know I had a very serious breakdown between December and March and I had been advised by my doctor not to go on tour but didn't want to 'fail' or let anyone down as the tour was already booked to coincide with the album release.

“So very stupidly I ignored his advice to my great detriment, attempting to be stronger than I actually am. I apologize sincerely for any difficulties this may cause.”

O’Connor then appeared to announce her retirement from the music industry.

“Asking about jobs as music biz is very bad for Sinead,” she resumed. “Any one have a job for a very clever woman with massive heart and courage, who adores people and has to escape music business as is very bad for her? Too much and too many long times away from home.

“All bad triggers for a woman with a mental illness. Can anyone come and take me home from Munich?”

She then closed her Twitter account, promising to come back anonymously.

The news takes me back to a raw lyric from the new album that proves how art imitates life.


“I wanted to change the world/but I couldn’t even change my underwear/and when the s*** got really really out of hand/I had it all the way up to my hairline/which keeps receding like my self-confidence/as if I had any of that stuff anyway,” she sang on the riveting “Queen of Denmark.”

While this is disappointing to her fans, including me, this is probably the right call for the chanteuse.
The comments on her website and in the press were often desperate cries for help.

A world without Sinead would be a dull place indeed, one that I wouldn’t want to live in. Sending prayers and positive vibes her way during this difficult time.

To borrow a line from  “The Wolf Is Getting Married” on the new disc, let’s hope “the sun’s peeping out of the sky/where it only used to be grey” over Sinead’s house sooner rather than later.