Amy Winehouse was a British singer and songwriter celebrated for her contralto vocals and deeply personal songwriting. Her music was a blend of soul, R&B, and jazz. Beyond her music, her fashion sense and tumultuous personal life also drew significant attention, solidifying her as a major figure in popular culture. She achieved critical acclaim and commercial success with albums like 'Back to Black,' but struggled with substance abuse, which ultimately led to her death at the age of 27.
In 1975, Natalie Cole, who battled substance-abuse problems, won a Grammy for Best New Artist. She later questioned whether Amy Winehouse should have been honored with awards in 2008 given her recent personal and drug problems.
Amy Jade Winehouse was born on September 14, 1983, at Chase Farm Hospital in Enfield, London, to Jewish parents Mitchell and Janis Winehouse. She had an older brother named Alex.
In April 2008, Amy Winehouse's father and manager sought to have her detained under the Mental Health Act of 1983.
In 1992, Amy Winehouse, encouraged by Cynthia, began attending the Susi Earnshaw Theatre School, where she developed her singing, acting, and tap dancing skills.
In 1997, the Protection from Harassment Act was enacted, which would later be used by Amy Winehouse to obtain an injunction against a paparazzi agency.
In 2002, Amy Winehouse signed with Island Records after a music executive received her demo from a friend, marking a significant step in her early career.
In 2002, Amy Winehouse was signed to Simon Fuller's 19 Management and was initially paid £250 a week against future earnings. She was kept as a recording industry secret while being developed by the company.
On October 20, 2003, Amy Winehouse's debut album, 'Frank,' was released. Produced mainly by Salaam Remi, the album was heavily influenced by jazz and featured Winehouse as a co-writer on nearly every song. The album received widespread critical acclaim.
In 2003, Amy Winehouse released her debut studio album, 'Frank,' which was commercially successful in the UK and received critical acclaim for its songwriting and jazz influences. The album was produced by Salaam Remi.
In 2004, Amy Winehouse's album 'Frank' was nominated for Brit Awards in the categories of British Female Solo Artist and British Urban Act. Later in 2004, she and Salaam Remi won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song for "Stronger Than Me".
In 2005, Amy Winehouse experienced a period of drinking, heavy drug use, and weight loss.
In May 2006, demo tracks of Amy Winehouse's songs, including "You Know I'm No Good" and "Rehab," appeared on Mark Ronson's New York City radio show on East Village Radio. These songs were slated to appear on her second album.
In early October 2006, Amy Winehouse's official website was relaunched with a new layout and clips of previously unreleased songs, marking the beginning of the promotion for her upcoming album, 'Back to Black'.
On December 31, 2006, Amy Winehouse appeared on Jools Holland's Annual Hootenanny, where she performed a cover of Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" with Paul Weller and Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, along with Toots and the Maytals' "Monkey Man."
In 2006, "Rehab" won the Novello award for best contemporary song.
In 2006, Amy Winehouse admitted to punching a female fan who criticized her relationship with Blake Fielder-Civil. She also attacked Fielder-Civil when he tried to calm her down, kneeing him in the crotch.
In 2006, Amy Winehouse dated chef-musician Alex Clare while on a break from Blake Fielder-Civil. They lived together briefly, and Clare sold his story to the News of the World.
In 2006, Amy Winehouse recorded her second studio album, 'Back to Black,' inspired by 1960s girl groups and soul music, with producers Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson. The album became an international critical and commercial success.
In 2006, Amy Winehouse's debut album, Frank, was included in Robert Dimery's book '1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die', marking a significant recognition of her work.
In early 2006, Amy Winehouse experienced a rebound that coincided with the writing of Back to Black. Her family believes that the mid-2006 death of her grandmother set her off into addiction.
In January 2007, "You Know I'm No Good", the second single from the album Back to Black and lead single in the US, was released with a remix featuring rap vocals by Ghostface Killah. The song reached number 18 on the UK singles chart.
In April 2007, the title track "Back to Black" was released as a single in the UK. While it peaked at number 25 in the UK, it experienced greater success across mainland Europe.
In June 2007, Amy Winehouse admitted that she could sometimes be violent toward Blake Fielder-Civil after she had been drinking.
On June 3, 2007, Amy Winehouse performed "Rehab" at the MTV Movie Awards in Universal City, California. Actor Bruce Willis introduced her before the performance.
In July 2007, Blake Fielder-Civil assaulted a pub landlord, breaking the victim's cheekbone, which lead to legal repercussions and his subsequent imprisonment.
In August 2007, Amy Winehouse and Blake Fielder-Civil were photographed, bloodied and bruised, in the streets of London after an alleged fight, although she contended her injuries were self-inflicted. Her parents and in-laws publicly reported their concerns.
In August 2007, Amy Winehouse cancelled shows in the UK and Europe, citing exhaustion and ill health. She was hospitalised for what was reported as an overdose of heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine and alcohol.
In October 2007, Amy Winehouse and Blake Fielder-Civil were arrested in Bergen, Norway, for possession of seven grams of cannabis. They were later released and fined 3850 kroner (around £350). Winehouse initially appealed the fines but later dropped the appeal.
In November 2007, Amy Winehouse's tour was marred by booing and walkouts during the opening night in Birmingham. On November 27, 2007, it was announced that her performances and public appearances were cancelled for the remainder of the year due to her doctor's advice for her to rest. Her concert promoter cited the intense emotional strain Amy was under.
In November 2007, a deluxe edition of 'Back to Black' was released in the UK, featuring B-sides, rare tracks, live recordings, and "Valerie." Additionally, her debut DVD, 'I Told You I Was Trouble: Live in London,' was released, including a live set and a career documentary.
In December 2007, Amy Winehouse's spokesman reported that the singer was in a physician-supervised program and was channelling her difficulties by writing music.
On December 17, 2007, Amy Winehouse's collaboration with Mutya Buena, "B Boy Baby," was released as the fourth single from Buena's debut album, 'Real Girl'.
In 2007, Amy Winehouse's style drew visual references from Ronnie Spector of the Ronettes, Mari Wilson, Johnny Thunders, and "fierce council-house chicks". Her style influenced Dior and Chanel runways.
In January 2008, Amy Winehouse's record label stated that the extensive media coverage she received increased record sales.
In January 2008, The Sun posted a video of Amy Winehouse appearing to smoke crack cocaine and discussing taking ecstasy and Valium. Her father moved in with her, and she entered a rehabilitation facility.
On January 13, 2008, Amy Winehouse's album 'Back to Black' held the number-one position on the Billboard Pan European charts for the third consecutive week, marking a significant achievement for the album.
On 10 February 2008, Amy Winehouse won five Grammy Awards for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Rehab", Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best New Artist. Her album, Back to Black, was also nominated for Album of the Year. The singer's success earned her a spot in the 2009 edition of the Guinness Book of Records. Due to visa issues, she performed via satellite from London.
On 20 February 2008, Amy Winehouse performed "Valerie" with Mark Ronson and "Love Is a Losing Game" at the 2008 Brit Awards in London.
On 2 March 2008, a special deluxe edition of Amy Winehouse's album Back to Black topped the UK album charts.
As part of a breast cancer awareness campaign, Amy Winehouse appeared in a photograph for the April 2008 issue of Easy Living magazine.
By late April 2008, Amy Winehouse's erratic behaviour raised fears that her drug rehabilitation efforts had been unsuccessful. Her father and manager sought to have her detained under the Mental Health Act of 1983.
In April 2008, Amy Winehouse was named the second-greatest "ultimate heroine" by the UK population in a Sky News poll, topping the voting for those under 25 years old. Psychologist Donna Dawson noted that women like Winehouse, who had "a certain sense of vulnerability or have had to fight against some adversity in their lives", received recognition.
On 14 April 2008, Amy Winehouse – The Girl Done Good: A Documentary Review, a 78-minute DVD, was released. The documentary featured interviews with people who knew her at a young age, people who helped her achieve success, jazz music experts, and music and pop culture specialists.
On 26 April 2008, Amy Winehouse was cautioned after admitting to police that she slapped a 38-year-old man in the face, which was considered a "common assault" offence. She voluntarily turned herself in and was held overnight. Police stated that she was "in no fit state" to be interviewed upon her arrival.
In May 2008, Amy Winehouse performed at the Rock in Rio Lisboa festival in Portugal, with a set plagued by a late arrival and vocal problems.
On 23 June 2008, Amy Winehouse's publicist clarified Mitch Winehouse's earlier statements about her having early-stage emphysema. Instead, she had signs that could lead to early-stage emphysema. Her father also reported that her lungs were operating at 70 percent capacity and she had an irregular heartbeat due to chain-smoking crack cocaine, and that doctors had warned her that if she kept smoking crack cocaine, she would need an oxygen mask and could die.
On 27 June 2008, Amy Winehouse performed at Nelson Mandela's 90th Birthday Party concert in London's Hyde Park.
During a visit with Mitch Winehouse at the prison in July 2008, Blake Fielder-Civil reportedly said that he and Amy Winehouse would cut themselves to ease the pain of withdrawal. Amy Winehouse also reportedly confessed to having an affair in 2008.
In July 2008, Amy Winehouse stated that she had been diagnosed with "some areas of emphysema." She said she was focusing on improving her health by "eating loads of healthy food, sleeping loads, playing my guitar, making music and writing letters to my husband every day."
In July 2008, Jeff Zycinski of BBC Radio Scotland stated that the BBC and media were complicit in undermining celebrities like Amy Winehouse. Lily Allen defended Winehouse, stating that she was "very clever, intelligent, witty, funny person who can hold it together" despite her struggles with drugs.
In July 2008, when asked about a relationship with Pete Doherty, Amy Winehouse stated that they were "just good friends" and that she had asked him to do a concept EP, which he declined.
In September 2008, Amy Winehouse allegedly hit dancer Sherene Flash in the eye at the Prince's Trust charity ball. This incident led to her arrest and charge with common assault in March 2009.
In September 2008, Amy Winehouse's dishevelled appearance after a club night prompted new rumours of a relapse. Photographers reported seeing cuts on her arms and legs.
On 25 October 2008, Amy Winehouse began precautionary testing on her lungs and chest at the London Clinic for what was reported as a chest infection. She was able to leave and return at will during this time.
In November 2008, Amy Winehouse returned to the hospital on 23 November due to a reported reaction to her medication.
In December 2008, a clip of Amy Winehouse's music was included in the "Roots and Influences" area at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex NYC, showcasing connections between different artists. A thread started with Billie Holiday, continued with Aretha Franklin and Mary J. Blige, and then finished with Winehouse.
At the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in 2008, Amy Winehouse won five awards, tying the record for the most Grammys won by a female artist in a single night. She won Best New Artist, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year for "Rehab", along with Best Pop Vocal Album.
By 2008, Amy Winehouse's drug problems threatened her career. Nick Gatfield of Island Records considered releasing her to deal with her issues. Post-Grammys, some questioned whether Winehouse should have been honored with awards given her recent personal and drug problems.
In 2008, Amy Winehouse had an estimated £10m fortune, tying her for tenth place in The Sunday Times listing of the wealth of musicians under age 30.
In 2008, Amy Winehouse quit using illegal substances, according to her physician. This marked a significant turning point in her battle with addiction.
In 2008, Amy Winehouse's look, inspired by Latinas in Miami, was repeatedly denigrated by the British press. At the NME Awards that year, Winehouse was nominated for "Best Solo Artist" and "Best Music DVD" but was also awarded "Worst Dressed Performer". She was also ranked number two on Richard Blackwell's annual "Ten Worst Dressed Women" list.
In 2008, Amy Winehouse's style drew visual references from Ronnie Spector of the Ronettes, Mari Wilson, Johnny Thunders, and "fierce council-house chicks". Her style influenced Dior and Chanel runways.
In 2008, Universal Music reportedly pressed Amy Winehouse for new material. She had not been near a recording studio as of September 2nd of that year.
In 2008, the song "Valerie", on which Amy Winehouse was a vocalist, was nominated for a Brit Award for British Single of the Year.
In May 2008, Amy Winehouse received two nominations for Best Song Musically & Lyrically at the 2008 Ivor Novello Awards, winning for "Love Is a Losing Game". She was also nominated for a 2008 MTV Europe Music Award in the Act of the Year category.
In January 2009, Amy Winehouse announced the launch of her own record label, Lioness Records, with her goddaughter Dionne Bromfield as the first act.
In early January 2009, Amy Winehouse was spotted with Josh Bowman in Saint Lucia and declared she was "in love again" and no longer needed drugs. Divorce papers were received later that month, with Blake Fielder-Civil's solicitor citing adultery as the reason.
On 25 February 2009, Blake Fielder-Civil was released from prison after being imprisoned since July 2008.
In March 2009, Amy Winehouse loaned a vintage dress from her "Tears Dry on Their Own" video and a DVD to the British Music Experience, a new museum in London.
On 5 March 2009, Amy Winehouse was arrested and charged with common assault following Sherene Flash's claim that Winehouse hit her in the eye at the September 2008 Prince's Trust charity ball. Her US Coachella Festival appearance was canceled due to this legal issue, and Winehouse pleaded not guilty in court on 17 March.
In May 2009, Amy Winehouse performed at a jazz festival in Saint Lucia amid torrential rain and technical difficulties, during which it was reported she was unsteady and had trouble remembering the lyrics. She apologized to the crowd for being bored and ended the set in the middle of a song.
During her stay in Saint Lucia in 2009, Amy Winehouse paid for Julian Jean DeBaptiste's urgent surgery costing £4,000. He had surgery on 1 July 2009.
On 16 July 2009, Amy Winehouse's uncontested divorce from Blake Fielder-Civil was granted.
On 28 August 2009, Amy Winehouse's divorce from Blake Fielder-Civil became final. Fielder-Civil received no money in the settlement.
On 12 October 2009, Dionne Bromfield's first album, featuring covers of classic soul records, was released on Lioness Records. Amy Winehouse contributed backing vocals on several tracks. She also performed backing vocals for Bromfield on the BBC's television programme Strictly Come Dancing on 10 October.
In December 2009, Amy Winehouse was arrested for a third time on charges of common assault and a public order offense. This occurred after she assaulted the front-of-house manager of the Milton Keynes Theatre when he asked her to move to a different seat after noisy participation in the pantomime and advised her not to drink more. Winehouse pleaded guilty and received a conditional discharge.
In 2009, Amy Winehouse and her family were the subject of a documentary shot by Daphne Barak titled Saving Amy.
In 2009, Amy Winehouse appeared on a CD called Classics alongside musicians such as the Rolling Stones, the Killers and many Cuban musicians to raise awareness of climate change.
In 2009, Amy Winehouse obtained an injunction against Big Pictures, a leading paparazzi agency, under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. The court order banned them from following her and photographing her within 100 meters of her London home, or in the homes of her friends and relatives.
In 2009, Amy Winehouse was entered into the Guinness Book of Records for Most Grammy Awards won by a British Female Act.
In 2009, a poll of U.S. residents revealed that one-fifth of the participants had listened to Amy Winehouse's music during the previous year.
On 8 January 2010, a television documentary, My Daughter Amy, aired on Channel 4. Saving Amy was released as a paperback book in January 2010.
In July 2010, Amy Winehouse announced her next album would be released no later than January 2011, indicating it would be similar to her second album.
In October 2010, Amy Winehouse's 17-piece fashion collection with Fred Perry was released for sale, featuring vintage-inspired looks. Winehouse was closely involved in the design process, providing input on style selection, fabric, color, and fit.
In an October 2010 interview, Amy Winehouse spoke about her decision to quit drugs, stating that she woke up one day and no longer wanted to continue using them. However, she started having issues with alcohol after this point.
In November 2010, Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson contributed a cover of Lesley Gore's "It's My Party" to the Quincy Jones tribute album Q Soul Bossa Nostra.
In December 2010, Amy Winehouse played a 40-minute concert at a Russian oligarch's party in Moscow, performing songs hand-selected by the tycoon.
From early 2010 until her death, Amy Winehouse was in a relationship with British writer and film director Reg Traviss. They had reportedly planned to marry and have children. Conflicting reports also suggested a renewed relationship with Blake Fielder-Civil.
In a 2010 interview, Mark Ronson discussed his experience working with Amy Winehouse, noting her blunt honesty and their mutual respect in the creative process.
According to Amy Winehouse, her next album was going to be released no later than January 2011.
In January 2011, Amy Winehouse played five dates in Brazil, with performances marked by forgotten lyrics and brief exits from the stage.
In March 2011, Amy Winehouse donated over £20,000 worth of clothes to a local charity shop in London.
In June 2011, Amy Winehouse started her 12-leg European tour in Belgrade, but her performance was poorly received, leading to the cancellation of subsequent shows.
Following Amy Winehouse's death by alcohol intoxication in July 2011, her family set up the Amy Winehouse Foundation.
In July 2011, Amy Winehouse passed away at the age of 27. She left behind a legacy as a prominent figure in music and popular culture.
On 20 July 2011, Amy Winehouse made her last public appearance at Camden's Roundhouse, supporting her goddaughter Dionne Bromfield. She died three days later.
In August 2011, an official toxicology report was released to the public, disproving speculations that substance abuse was a factor in Amy Winehouse's death. The report showed that no illegal substances were identified in her system.
On 14 September 2011, Amy Winehouse's single "Body and Soul" with Tony Bennett from the album Duets II, was released on MTV and VH1 to commemorate what would have been her 28th birthday.
On 14 September 2011, which would have been Amy Winehouse's 28th birthday, the Amy Winehouse Foundation was officially launched. Its aim is to help vulnerable or disadvantaged young people, and it works with other charitable organizations to provide frontline support.
In October 2011, the coroner's report stated that Amy Winehouse's blood alcohol content was 416 mg per 100 ml (0.416%) at the time of her death, more than five times the legal drink-drive limit. The coroner concluded that the "unintended consequence" of so much alcohol led to her "sudden and unexpected death," resulting in a "death by misadventure" verdict.
In 2011, there were reports that Amy Winehouse was in the process of adopting a 10-year-old girl from St. Lucia named Dannika Augustine, with whom she had formed a strong bond. However, Winehouse's representative denied these claims.
In February 2012, Amy Winehouse was ranked 26th on VH1's 100 Greatest Women in Music list, solidifying her impact and influence in the music industry.
On 16 September 2012, Amy Winehouse's ashes were buried alongside those of her grandmother Cynthia Levy at Edgwarebury Lane Cemetery.
On 17 December 2012, British authorities reopened the probe into Amy Winehouse's death because the first coroner was deemed "not qualified" for the role.
In 2012, Mitch Winehouse published a biography about his daughter Amy Winehouse, titled "Amy: My Daughter". Proceeds from the book were donated to the Amy Winehouse Foundation.
In 2012, Mitch Winehouse published the book "Amy, My Daughter", in which he wrote about Amy Winehouse's nervousness before public performances.
In 2012, following Amy Winehouse's death, Fred Perry released three posthumous collections that she had designed prior to her death. Fred Perry also donated 20% of the net revenue from the Amy Winehouse collection to the Amy Winehouse Foundation.
On 8 January 2013, the second inquest into Amy Winehouse's death matched the conclusions of the first inquest. Coroner Dr. Shirley Radcliffe found that Winehouse "voluntarily consumed alcohol, a deliberate act that took an unexpected turn in that it caused her death." The second inquest also reached the verdict of misadventure due to alcohol poisoning.
On 12 March 2013, with the help of ex-addict Russell Brand, the Amy Winehouse Foundation launched the Amy Winehouse Foundation Resilience Programme For Schools across the UK. The programme aims to provide effective education around drugs, alcohol, and dealing with emotional issues.
In a June 2013 interview, Alex Winehouse shared his belief that his sister's eating disorder and the consequent physical weakness were the primary cause of her death.
In 2013, the Jewish Museum London ran an exhibition titled "Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait" in memory of Amy Winehouse. The museum researched her family history, tracing her paternal great-great-grandfather's arrival from Minsk in 1890.
In 2014, Janis Winehouse published her memoir about her daughter, titled "Loving Amy: A Mother's Story". The proceeds from the book were donated to the Amy Winehouse Foundation.
On 3 July 2015, the documentary film "Amy", directed by Asif Kapadia and produced by James Gay-Rees, was released. The film covered Amy Winehouse's life, relationships, struggles with substance abuse, and her death.
In October 2015, Mark Ronson became a patron of the Amy Winehouse Foundation.
In 2015, the documentary 'Amy' depicted Amy Winehouse's life and career, offering an in-depth look at her journey.
In March 2017, Bob Dylan expressed his admiration for Amy Winehouse's 'Back to Black', calling her 'the last real individualist around', highlighting the album's and Winehouse's unique qualities.
On 9 October 2017, Amy Winehouse's father, Mitch Winehouse, announced that a West End/Broadway musical about Amy was in development. This announcement was made at the Amy Winehouse Foundation Gala event in London.
In 2018, a documentary film based on Amy Winehouse's album Back to Black, titled "Amy Winehouse – Back to Black", was released.
Before her death in 2020, Barbara Windsor was a patron of the Amy Winehouse Foundation.
In July 2021, a new documentary titled "Reclaiming Amy" aired on BBC Two to mark the 10th anniversary of Amy Winehouse's death. The film was primarily based on the perspective and narrated by her mother, Janis Winehouse-Collins, and included intimate stories from those who were close to Winehouse until her death.
In July 2022, it was reported that StudioCanal UK would produce a feature film biopic, entitled "Back To Black (2024)", to be distributed by Focus Features and directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson. The script was written by Matt Greenhalgh, with the full cooperation of Amy's father Mitch and her estate.
In 2023, Rolling Stone included Amy Winehouse on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time, recognizing her vocal talent and influence.
In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked Amy Winehouse at number 83 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time, recognizing her vocal talent and contribution to music history.
In 2024, the biopic 'Back to Black' dramatized Amy Winehouse's life, bringing her story to the screen.
In 2025, 'Back to Black' was preserved in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress, solidifying its cultural and historical significance.
In 2025, The Guardian included Amy Winehouse's album 'Back To Black' on their list of defining events in popular culture of the 21st century. Also in 2025, 'Back to Black' was preserved in the United States National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress, cementing its cultural and historical importance.
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