A Tribute To Amy Winehouse

For a singer who commanded the audience’s attention so effortlessly when on stage, it now transpires that Amy Winehouse’s time in the spotlight was to be tragically short.

Her death comes at a time when millions of fans were still clinging onto the hope of a comeback, even despite her management company’s recent decision to cancel her return to stage in the hope that she could fully overcome her personal troubles. Sadly, however, she will now never have that chance.

Amy Winehouse was - drink and drug problems aside - an immense talent.

The first time I saw her perform live was at a festival in Norway in the summer of 2007. It was 2am in an amphitheatre of trees and thundering rain, yet Winehouse had the audience eating out of the palm of her hand; her voice shuddering through the sodden leave. ‘Back To Black’ was barely sixth months old, but that didn’t stop the largely Norwegian crowd from singing every word.

A few days later and I encountered her again, this time walking through Old Street, London. In contrast to more recent times, where she was flanked by a bodyguard in a bid to protect her from the prying eyes of the paparazzi, she walked alone, oblivious to the attention she was getting from people enjoying a drink outside bars. She could have been any normal 24 or 25-year-old, yet with her distinguishable beehive and petite frame it was very obviously one woman.

It’s deeply saddening that more recently Winehouse’s on and off stage character became so blurred by her very public battle to overcome addiction.

But while fans may never hear a new Amy Winehouse song, the power of music means her legacy will remain with them forever.

Below we’ve rounded up a small selection of Winehouse’s most famous videos, from her appearance on The Fast Show as a 14-year-old to her most recent – and last – public bow, just days ago on stage in Camden with her god-daughter.

Please leave your thoughts and tributes in the comments form at the bottom of this page.

Amy Winehouse appears on The Fast Show:

Amy Winehouse – ‘I Heard Love Is Blind’:

Amy Winehouse – ‘Rehab’:

Amy Winehouse – ‘You Know I’m No Good’:

Amy Winehouse – ‘Tears Don’t Try On Their Own’:

Amy Winehouse performs with her god-daughter: