Challenges in the Life of Amy Winehouse in a Detailed Timeline
A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Amy Winehouse's life and career.
Amy Winehouse was a highly acclaimed English singer and songwriter, celebrated for her distinctive contralto voice and her fusion of soul, R&B, reggae, and jazz. She achieved global success, selling over 30 million records. Despite her talent and fame, Winehouse struggled with substance abuse, which overshadowed her career and ultimately contributed to her untimely death at the age of 27. Her raw and honest lyrics, combined with her unique vocal style, left an indelible mark on the music industry, solidifying her status as a significant figure in contemporary music.
1983: Mental Health Act
In April 2008, Amy Winehouse's father and manager sought to have her detained under the Mental Health Act of 1983.
1997: Protection from Harassment Act
The Protection from Harassment Act 1997, was used in 2009 to obtain an injunction against a paparazzi agency, Big Pictures, banning them from following her and photographing her near her home, friends, and relatives due to concerns for her safety.
2003: Mother's Diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis
In 2003, Amy Winehouse's mother, Janis Winehouse, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, impacting the family dynamics.
2005: Period of Substance Abuse and Weight Loss
In 2005, Amy Winehouse experienced a period marked by drinking, heavy drug use, and weight loss, signaling a challenging phase in her life.
2006: Admits to Assaulting a Fan
In 2006, Amy Winehouse admitted to punching a female fan for criticizing her relationship with Blake Fielder-Civil, and then kneeing Fielder-Civil.
June 2007: Admission of Violence Towards Husband
In June 2007, Amy Winehouse admitted she could be violent towards Blake Fielder-Civil after drinking, revealing a volatile aspect of their relationship.
July 2007: Assault on Pub Landlord
In July 2007, Blake Fielder-Civil assaulted a pub landlord, breaking the victim's cheekbone. This incident led to his imprisonment in 2008 and briefly involved Amy Winehouse in the investigation.
August 2007: Photographed Bloodied and Bruised
In August 2007, Amy Winehouse and Blake Fielder-Civil were photographed in London, bloodied and bruised after an alleged fight, highlighting the tumultuous nature of their relationship.
August 2007: Hospitalization and Cancelled Shows
In August 2007, Amy Winehouse cancelled shows in the UK and Europe, citing exhaustion and ill health. She was hospitalized for a reported overdose of heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine, and alcohol.
October 2007: Arrested for Cannabis Possession in Norway
In October 2007, Amy Winehouse and Blake Fielder-Civil were arrested in Bergen, Norway, for possession of cannabis, later released and fined.
November 2007: Cancellation of Tour Dates
In November 2007, Amy Winehouse canceled her remaining performances and public appearances due to health concerns and doctor's advice.
December 2007: Enters Physician-Supervised Program
In December 2007, Amy Winehouse's spokesman announced that she had entered a physician-supervised program, using her difficulties to channel creativity into writing music.
January 2008: Video Surfaces of Apparent Drug Use
In January 2008, a video surfaced in The Sun appearing to show Amy Winehouse smoking crack cocaine. Later that month, her father moved in with her and Island Records abandoned plans for an American promotion campaign.
April 2008: Erratic Behavior and Relapse Fears
By late April 2008, Amy Winehouse's erratic behavior raised concerns that her drug rehabilitation efforts had been unsuccessful, leading to her father and manager seeking to have her detained under the Mental Health Act of 1983.
April 2008: Cautioned for Common Assault
On April 26, 2008, Amy Winehouse was cautioned after admitting to police that she slapped a man in the face, a "common assault" offense.
May 2008: Rock in Rio Lisboa festival performance
In May 2008, Amy Winehouse performed at the Rock in Rio Lisboa festival in Portugal, despite reported attempts to dissuade her. The performance had a late start and vocal issues, but she was well received by the crowd.
June 2008: Health Concerns Revealed
In June 2008, Amy Winehouse's publicist clarified that she had signs of what could lead to early-stage emphysema, not full-blown emphysema as previously stated. Her father also reported concerns about her lung capacity and irregular heartbeat due to smoking crack cocaine, and warned about the potential need for an oxygen mask.
July 2008: Diagnosis of Emphysema Areas
In July 2008, Amy Winehouse stated she had been diagnosed with "some areas of emphysema" and was focusing on healthy habits while writing letters to her husband.
July 2008: Imprisonment of Blake Fielder-Civil
In July 2008, Blake Fielder-Civil was imprisoned following a guilty plea on charges including grievous bodily harm from an incident in July 2007. Amy Winehouse was briefly arrested in connection to the incident.
July 2008: Reported Drug Use and Self-Harm
In July 2008, during a visit with Mitch Winehouse at the prison, Blake Fielder-Civil reportedly stated that he and Amy Winehouse would cut themselves to ease withdrawal pain, and Winehouse reportedly confessed to having an affair.
September 2008: Alleged Assault at Charity Ball
In September 2008, Amy Winehouse allegedly assaulted dancer Sherene Flash at the Prince's Trust charity ball, leading to later legal issues.
September 2008: Rumors of Relapse
In September 2008, Amy Winehouse's dishevelled appearance after a club night sparked new rumors of a relapse, with reports of cuts on her arms and legs.
October 2008: Lung Testing at London Clinic
On October 25, 2008, Amy Winehouse began precautionary testing on her lungs and chest at the London Clinic for a reported chest infection.
November 2008: Return to Hospital Due to Medication Reaction
On November 23, 2008, Amy Winehouse returned to the hospital due to a reported reaction to her medication.
2008: Drug Problems Threaten Career
By 2008, Amy Winehouse's drug problems were significantly impacting her career, leading Island Records to consider releasing her to address these issues. Despite her struggles, her image was prominently featured in TV coverage of the Grammys, highlighting her continued cultural relevance.
2008: Pressured for new material
In 2008, Universal Music reportedly pressed Amy Winehouse for new material, but she had not been in a recording studio as of September. In late October, her spokesman mentioned she was learning to play drums for her third album, without a set deadline.
February 2009: Continued Imprisonment of Fielder-Civil
As of February 2009, Blake Fielder-Civil remained imprisoned following his guilty plea in July 2008, related to the assault of a pub landlord in July 2007.
March 2009: Arrested for Common Assault
In March 2009, Amy Winehouse was arrested and charged with common assault following accusations of hitting a dancer at a charity ball. This led to the cancellation of her US Coachella Festival appearance.
May 2009: Saint Lucia Jazz Festival performance
In May 2009, Amy Winehouse returned to performing at a jazz festival in Saint Lucia, amid technical issues and heavy rain. Her performance was unsteady and she struggled with lyrics, but during her stay, she worked on new music.
December 2009: Arrest for Assault at Milton Keynes Theatre
In December 2009, Amy Winehouse was arrested for common assault and public order offence after assaulting the front-of-house manager at the Milton Keynes Theatre. She pleaded guilty and received a conditional discharge.
2009: Injunction Against Paparazzi
In 2009, Amy Winehouse obtained a High Court injunction against Big Pictures, a paparazzi agency, banning them from following her and photographing her near her home, friends, and relatives due to concerns for her safety.
October 2010: Decision to Quit Drugs
In October 2010, Amy Winehouse stated she decided to quit drugs. However, alcohol emerged as a problem, with periods of abstinence followed by abuse.
January 2011: Brazil tour
In January 2011, Amy Winehouse played five dates in Brazil. She forgot lyrics during a performance in Florianópolis and had to leave the stage twice, but received support from the crowd.
June 2011: European tour cancellation
In June 2011, Amy Winehouse's European tour began in Belgrade with a disastrous performance. She was booed off stage, and Serbian defence minister called it "a huge shame". She subsequently cancelled all tour dates to seek help.
July 2011: Amy Winehouse's Death
Amy Winehouse died in July 2011 at the age of 27 due to alcohol poisoning, leading to widespread media coverage and reflection on her life and career.
2011: Death at 27
In 2011, Amy Winehouse passed away due to alcohol poisoning at the age of 27, joining the "27 Club" and leaving a lasting impact on music and culture.
