In a press release from the London Metropolitan Police this morning, it was reported that officers were called to an address matching singer Amy Winehouse’s, in which they found the body of a young woman, pronounced dead at the scene.
At this time, there is no suspicion of foul play, though an autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow.
“At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained,” London police said.
While Winehouse was famous for her big, throaty vocals, it was her private life that catapulted her into notoriety. Her big hit, “Rehab,” was a painted picture of her troubled life.
“They tried to make me go to rehab,” she sang. “But I said no, no, no.” Lyrics which many are familiar with, and informed the public opinion of the singer-songwriter.
Born in 1983, Winehouse quickly became the poster child for the tattooed, rebellious teenager after being expelled from her performing arts school.
Her first album, “Frank,” was released in 2003, when the singer was just 19 years old. However, she would not see international success until 2007 with her album, “Back to Black,” which won her Grammys for best pop vocal album and album of the year. “Rehab” as a single also won Grammys for record of the year and song of the year.
Winehouse’s marriage to Blake Fielder-Civil was a tumor on her career, ending in 2009 after two years filled with drug addiction and arrests.
That same year, Winehouse’s parents went public with their attempts to help their daughter through her addictions, telling the London Telegraph that she was on the road to recovery.
“A gradual recovery, which is good,” Winehouse’s father Mitch told the Telegraph. “With slight backward steps — not drug backward steps, more drink backward steps if you follow my drift. I think that will be the pattern of recovery.”
Winehouse was 27 years old.
[source] UK Reuters service
Amy Winehouse – what can I say!? She was a phenomenally talented, hugely unique and creative singer/songwriter and her death has jolted millions. I remember being in absolute awe when I saw her perform at Manchester Academy; she was a truly amazing singer who collaborated soul and jazz and do-wop into an extraordinarily special contemporary sound. It saddens me to think that this gorgeous and talented young woman experienced such tragedy and could not be helped to fight her internal demons; it has been said that Amy suffered from manic depression and bi-polar disorder and refused to accept prescriptive medication to combat this illness, in fear that it would dampen or kill her creativity and so she chose to self medicate in the form of highly addictive drugs and alcohol. Yes, she received some bad press relating to some shambolic stage appearances and yes, there were fights and seriously controversial material posted in our newspapers; but this woman should have been taken better care of in my view; at the tender age of 27, she has joined the exclusive company of iconic artists such as Curt Cobain, Janice Joplin, Jim Morrisson and jimi Hendrix, who all suffered from mental illness and related drug abuse and subsequently died at the age of 27 also. As one of her fans, I have witnessed a tragic decline, leading to the untimely death of a legendary soul singer. Amy, your life was full of sweet sorrow, but you will live on in the hearts of your family, friends and fans and your music will live on for decades and decades. Peace be with you Amy Winehouse. x