BACK TO BLACK FOR AMY WINEHOUSE By Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger
Another diva star has left us at the young age of 27. Amy Winehouse, a unique but confused and troubled performer who rose to fame with a mix of soul and jazz, has been confirmed dead in London. It is still unclear as to the cause of death.
Winehouse skyrocketed to the top with her debut in 2003 of the album ‘Frank’ at the age of 19. The album was a collection of jazzy, neo-soul tunes. She seemed to be on the right track with her unmistakeable talent for writing and singing R&B, soul and jazz songs. She was credited as being an influence in the rise in popularity of female musicians and soul music and revitalizing British music.
Amy’s distinctive style was noticed by many including designers who labeled her as a muse. With the beehive hairdo, dark cat eye liner and tattooed body, she set herself apart from the rest.
Once again, success came to Winehouse with the release of the 2006 album ‘Back to Black’. Two of its singles were ‘Rehab’ and ‘You Know I’m No Good’. Amy’s year of fame was 2008 when ‘Rehab’ won song and record of the year. Winehouse was also named ‘Best New Artist’.
Perhaps the stardom was too much for the singer/songwriter and more than she could handle. Her life became plagued with troubles with substance and alcohol abuse, eating disorders, run ins with the law and even a confession that she was on medication for manic depression. She was in and out of rehab clinics and was often seen in a confused and dazed state of mind. She was in a volatile marriage to Blake Fielder-Civil for 2 years (from 2007 – 2009) which ended in divorce and left an imprint on her life.
Recently she tried to get back into the tour circuit kicking it off in the Serbian capital of Belgrade with disastrous results. She was late to her show, stumbled and staggered on stage sometimes clinging to the microphone and slurred her words through most of the songs. The audience booed her off the stage. That was the end of the tour.
The singer’s demise is an unfortunate one for the music and entertainment industry and yet it is a lesson to be learned and a cry for help that was never answered.
We can remember Amy Winehouse one last time when the song ‘Duets II’ recorded by her for Tony Bennett will be released in September.
Comments are closed.