Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse at the Eurockeennes Festival (Flickr.com (Rod M.))

Amy Jade Winehouse, born September 14, 1983, was known for her husky and sultry singing voice. Probably one of the most amazing singers known to people around the world, she passed away on July 23, 2011. The English singer-songwriter was not only known for low-pitched vocals but for her assorted mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz. She experienced a rapid rise to fame, not only for her music, but for her lifestyle, including her abuse of drugs and alcohol.

Amy aspired to be a performer even as a child (pappzd.com ())

Amy Winehouse's upbringing was surrounded by jazz. Some of her mother's family were professional jazz musicians. She  not only listened to jazz, at age 10 she became drawn to the rebellious spirit of Salt 'n Pepa,and to other American R&B and Hip Hop artists.  At age 12 she was accepted into the Sylvia Young Theater school. By the age of 16 years old she was expelled for her lack of effort and her rebellious acts. The star's career started at the age of 16 when one of her classmates and close friend, Tyler James, gave Amy's demo tape to his label, A&R, and she signed her first record deal as a jazz vocalists. Her first album "Frank" was released on October 23, 2003.

   Amy Winehouse was beginning to  develop a reputation as an unstable party girl. She often showed up to public appearances under the influence of either illegal drugs and or alcohol. She had an on and off relationship with Blake Fielder-Civil who admitted to introducing her to drugs. Their relationship was centered around drugs, alcohol, physical abuse, and even self-harm. By 2006 her management company suggested rehab for alcohol abuse. Instead of thinking of the suggestion, she fired the company and took the experience into her own hands and turned it into the lead single called "Rehab" on her album "Back To Black". She became an international star, but kept her ways as an alcoholic and drug addict.

The Forever 27 Club is a repetition of famous musicians who died at the age of 27 years old. Just a few musicians in the 27 Club are singer-songwriters such as Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and Jim Morrison. On July 23, 2011, Amy Jade Winehouse became a member of this club.

Amy Winehouse(wgrd.com (Getty Images))

This article is not intended to reflect Amy Winehouse as a hero, but as another unfortunate statistic of the damage, destruction, and ultimately death that the abuse of drugs and alcohol can lead to. When you think of Amy Winehouse, you shouldn't reflect on her lifestyle, but her music. She was and is a great musician. Amy Winehouse will be in our hearts forever and her music will be remembered all over.