The tragic loss of Amy Winehouse, found dead in her Camden home on the 23rd July, has robbed the world of a wonderfully talented, if at times fatally troubled, young artist. The 27 year old was without question an outstanding vocalist of her generation, who paved the way for such singers as Adele, Duffy and Lady Gaga.
London Ambulance Services found the singer at 3:45pm, but were unable to revive her. She was pronounced dead at the scene. At the moment, there is some specualtion about the cause of her death being related to drug overdose, but without the post mortem details, police are refusing to comment, treating the case as unexplained.
On the night of her untimely death, the street where Winehouse lived was cordoned off. Fans, local residents and journalists gathered at the poilice tape, where forensic officers were seen going in and out of the building. Now, days later, hundereds of flowers and messages from family, friends and fans have been placed outside her home in memory of the late artist.
Amy’s U.S record label released a statment that read: “we are deeply saddened at the sudden loss of such a gifted musician, artist and performer. Our prayers go out to Amy’s loved ones and fans at this difficult time.” Winehouse’s father Mitch, whom she was extrememly close to, is understood to be returing from New York, where he was due to persom at the Blue Note jazz.
Despite her most recent shambolic performance in Belgrade, in June, Winehouse supported her goddaughter, Dionne Bromfield, on stage at the iTunes festival on Wednesday night. Unaware that it would ber her last public appearance, Amy refused to sing and take the spotlight from Dionne, but later went on stage to encourage the audience to buy the teeangers debut album, Good For The Soul.
The singer was born Amy Jade Winehouse on the 14th September 1983, in Southgate, London. She has had a troubled life, which has included various stints in rehab for drug and alcohol addiction. In 2008, the singers mother, Janis, said that she would be unsurprised if her daughter died before her time. She said, “I’ve known for a long time that my daughter has problems, but seeing it on screen rammed it home. I realise my daughter could be dead within the year. We’re watching her kill herself slowly. I’ve already come to terms with her death. I’ve steeled myself to ask her what grounds she wants to be buried in, which cemetery. I know the drugs will get her if she stays on this road. I look at Heath Ledger and Britney, she’s on thier path. It’s like watching a car crash, this person throwing all these gifts away.”
It is thought that the singer had been to rehab four times in total, but her father previously spoke out about how his daughter stayed away from drugs before she met her ex-husband, Blake Fielder-Civil. In an interview last year, Mitch said: “He (Blake) is not entirely responsible, she’s got to take a portion of the responsibility too, but it’s clear, it really kicked off when they got together.” Amy and Blake married in 2007 but were divorced two years later in 2009. It was thought that at the time of her death, she was dating film director Reg Traviss, who she had previously been romantically linked to.
But despite her chaotic personal life, Amy had a hugely successful musical career, with the release of her debut album Frank in 2003 and her breakthrough album, Back To Black in 2006. She also feauterd on the Sunday Times rich list earlier this year, with an estimated net worth of around £6million. During her short career, Winehouse also won awards, including five Grammys, a Q Music Award (for Best Album, Back To Black) and a World Music Award (for Best Selling Pop/Rock Female Artist.
In conclusion, for all her demons – and sadly, sometimes becuase of them - Winehouse cut through pop’s hyerbole. In an era of manufactured stars and precision-tooled pop puppets, she was the real deal. Her rawness and emotional honesty shone through in her music and there is no doubt that her sweet, sure touch, will be missed greatly by all those who respected and worshipped her.
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