Celebrating Amy Winehouse: A Creative Life Cut Short
Amy Jade Winehouse, considered a musical revolutionary by many, would have celebrated her 31st birthday today. Alas, her life was cut short at just 27 years of age on July 23, 2011 when she was found unconscious in her London home. The musician struggled much of her life with addiction to alcohol and other controlled substances that would inevitably bring her to her final resting place. However, even though she is gone, she has left a wonderful legacy in her name that remind her family, friends, and fans just how thoughtful and amazing of a human she really was.
Amy was born in Southgate, London, England and lived there for most of her life. Her first experience with playing music was messing around with her brother’s guitar. She continued to play guitar but also dabbled with playing the drums. By the time that Amy turned 14, she had developed a love for singing. She was mostly influenced by members of her family, many of whom were accomplished musicians themselves. Her grandmother was a singer and a few of her uncles were professional jazz musicians. When she was a young girl, Amy’s father would sing Frank Sinatra songs to her. All of these influences in her life helped shape her into the modern day darling of music that she was destined to become.
Amy’s interest in music caused her to seek out formal education in the arts. She would receive vocal training and tap dance lessons on the weekends, at the Susi Earnshaw Theatre School. Sylvia Young Theatre School enrolled Amy Winehouse where she got formal training that undoubtedly contributed to her stage presence in later years. A biography on Lifetime revealed that at the age of 16, Amy suddenly found herself on the receiving end of a record deal, thanks to her classmate Tyler James, who is a soul singer, passing her demo to an industry rep. By the age of 20, Amy Winehouse won an Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song for her song, “Stronger Than Me“.
Amy Winehouse married longtime boyfriend Blake Fielder-Civil in Florida in 2007, a former video production assistant. Their home life was tumultuous due to Amy’s addiction, but just like the substances she so desperately tried to kick, she couldn’t quit him. At times, their relationship turned abusive and, later in 2007, Amy was admitted to the hospital in a coma due to a mix of heroin, ecstasy and alcohol.
After entering the spotlight, Amy was known for showing up intoxicated at shows and events. Sometimes so much so that she was unable to finish the show. As she started to slip into the realms of becoming an addict, her management company urged her to access a rehabilitation program for her drinking. That experience alone created the U.K. Top Ten Hit, “Rehab“. This song would also reach the number nine spot on Pop Charts in the USA. As her addictions and substance abuse grew, so did Amy’s fame. She would become the recipient of several awards throughout her career including six Grammys for Song of the Year for “Rehab” and Best New Artist in 2008. Amy continuously denied having an addiction problem and she was not afraid to tell the world her side of the story.
Little did she know she would be joining the “27 Club” sooner than she thought. At the tender age of 27, Amy Winehouse was found in her London home dead from alcohol poisoning on July 23, 2011. She would join the ranks of Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix, both of whom passed away at the same age.
To continue her legacy, Amy’s parents established The Amy Winehouse Foundation. Through this foundation, under-privileged children have access to music as a tool for learning. The foundation also works on the behalf of children and teenagers in prevention programs including rehabilitation services to young people with addiction behavior.
The memory of Amy Winehouse will also be celebrated in the form of a statue. In honor of her birthday, the statue will be unveiled tomorrow, on September 14, during a ceremony in Camden. Amy will also be memorialized with an exhibit, Amy Winehouse:A Family Portrait, in the Jewish Museum London. This exhibit will feature photographs with family and much of her clothing collection. Some of the other items among the collection will include personal items that relate to music, her fashion, and her home in London as well as her family.
Though her life was troubled with addiction and mental health issues, Amy Winehouse won the favor of millions across the world. She will always be remember as the English darling with the contralto vocals, beehive bouffant, and acerbic wit. Happy Birthday, Amy Winehouse! You are missed and will be never forgotten.
