I first heard about the death of Amy Winehouse a little after 5pm from Twitter on Saturday evening. (Once again Twitter beat the news, it took at least 10 minutes after hearing about the sad event before it was on Sky News.) It’s sad to say that when I heard the news, I wasn’t shocked. If I’m honest, the only thing that did shock me, was the fact that it hadn’t happened before then. And the reality sunk in when I saw her body being carried out on a stretcher in a red body bag.
Now, I was by no means her biggest fan, I bought her Back to Black album, and thoroughly enjoyed it, her massive beehive and exaggerated eyeliner amused and intrigued me, (I'd never seen hair as big as it, and was quite envious!) but that’s pretty much as far as it went. I never saw her live, nor did I really want to. I was happy with the album and music videos. However I, unlike many others, held nothing against her, it was very clear to see that she had issues, which she chose to deal with her own way. But whether she was a drug addict or not, you cannot deny the fact she had a raw talent, her unmistakeable voice which, rightly, won her numerous awards.In September of 1983 Amy was born at Chase Farm Hospital in London. From an early age she set her sights on stardom. She attended both the Brit School and Sylvia Young’s Theatre School in London, for which she won a scholarship to attend. Here, she was in the same year as Billie Piper. However after three years of attending and Amy was asked to leave after as she continued to mess around, and didn't pay enough attention as the school required.
It was 2003 when Amy released her debut album ‘Frank’. This sold one million copies and was nominated for a Mercury Prize. However it wasn’t until 2006 when she released her second album ‘Back to Black’ that she really started hitting the headlines and became a household name. Her second album, which she wrote about the split with her boyfriend Blake, went on to sell over 10 million copies worldwide. Amy once said about her second album that "I was clinically depressed and I managed to get something I'm so proud of, out of something that was so horrible." Sadly, it's only today that her lyrics of her smash hit Rehab "they tried to make me go to rehab, but I said no, no no" take on more poignancy. After that album her popularity had rocketed, and it would appear that so did her problems.
The British Press have always been loved a scandal and subsequently in 2007 and 2008 Amy was rarely out of their headlines. Her weight plummeted, she was drinking more and more alcohol and taking numerous drugs. Blake also returned to her life, and her obsession with performing was replaced with an obsession for him, along with other substances. Her own mother Janis said in 2007 said "she's on a path of self-mutilation and lucky to be alive. It's like a sickness but she cannot see it." In May of the same year Amy married Blake in Florida, after they had got back together. They became front page news instantly, not because of her career, not because of their love, but because of the fact they were so clearly dangerous together. They would be seen binging in pubs, arguing in public places and leaving their house obviously intoxicated. Later in August Amy was rushed to hospital after a suspected drug overdose of heroin, ecstasy and cocaine and checked into rehab again for a brief while. Amy said about this "I gave rehab a try because my Dad wanted me to. Just for 15 minutes. I went in, said 'hello' and explained that I drink because I am in love and have fucked up the relationship. Then I walked out." Many blamed Blake for Amy's wild, destructive ways, but those closest to them said the pair were as bad as each other. Both sets of parents came out and spoke of their worries for the pair, but neither appeared to listen.
In 2008 Amy took to the British stage for the last time at the Brit Awards, and later went on to win five Grammy awards in America for her Back to Black album, but she had to perform for the ceremony via satellite as the USA refused her visa because of the drug controversy that surrounded her. It seemed her talent was matched only by her relentless desire for self destruction. Later the same year she checked into rehab again as the police started to probe after video footage was uploaded of her allegedly smoking crack cocaine. After that stint in rehab Blake was sentenced to 27 months in jail for assault and it was hoped that time apart would be good for both of them, Amy in particular. The pair subsequently spent half of their married life apart. After a rocky few months, it seemed to be working. She moved to St. Lucia briefly, started dating someone else and appeared to be getting her life back onto track. When Blake was released he filed for divorce citing her adultery as the reason.
She hasn't been in the spotlight like she used to be for a while now, and she also hadn't released any new music. However last month she announced a come-back European tour. Her record label "prepared her" by checking her into the Priory for a brief visit. Brief clearly wasn't enough. Her opening night in Belgrade was an absolute disaster. She mumbled, forgot the words and stumbled across the stage. Within hours the shambolic footage was on youtube. I watched it, and once again felt sorry for her, the girl needed help. I hadn't heard much about her for quite some time, I was aware she had a new boyfriend, and for all I knew she was in a good place, but there she was back again, appearing to be in the same mess she was before. The rest of the tour went on to be cancelled. Subsequently when Amy should have been playing a gig in Italy on Saturday, she instead spent her last hours in her North London home.
Amy was last seen on Wednesday as a surprise appearance at London Roundhouse itunes festival (which I watched on itv2) where she came on stage with her protégée Dionne, who is also her God daughter. Aside from dancing, Amy also told everyone to buy Dionne’s new record. In my eyes, there were no signs of the fatale drama that was to happen a mere three days later.
During Amy’s short 27 years she went through many dizzying highs and numerous hellish lows. There are numerous horrific pictures of her, she showed off razor-slashed arms from self harming, then there was the famous blood-stained pumps incident from where she'd been injecting heroin between her toes, and the controversial mice video. Put all of that aside though and you remember that she was not only a renowned singer, worshipped by many, but she was a fashion icon and mixed with her blunt attitude helped spawn a new generated of British stars. Step forward Duffy and Adele.
During Amy’s short 27 years she went through many dizzying highs and numerous hellish lows. There are numerous horrific pictures of her, she showed off razor-slashed arms from self harming, then there was the famous blood-stained pumps incident from where she'd been injecting heroin between her toes, and the controversial mice video. Put all of that aside though and you remember that she was not only a renowned singer, worshipped by many, but she was a fashion icon and mixed with her blunt attitude helped spawn a new generated of British stars. Step forward Duffy and Adele.
Sadly Amy had a lot of demons, which she dealt with in the wrong way. Her talent was over-shadowed by her personal problems. No amount of success or awards, neither pleas from family or friends stopped her, the addiction was too strong. Ironically she was still an out-patient from the Priory at the time of her death, which in itself says a lot. I, personally, hope she is now able to find the peace; she was so clearly searching for, yet had such trouble finding here on Earth.
As painfully obvious as it seems, the moral of this story is that drugs are not cool, and they can kill. Stick to sherbet kids!
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