Amy Winehouse redefined modern soul music with her raw talent. You know her deep voice and iconic eyeliner, but her personal life remains a mystery to many. She began writing music at a young age to express her emotions. However, her journey involved more than just tragic headlines. She was a funny, sharp, and deeply caring individual. Consequently, her legacy continues to inspire artists around the globe. Let’s explore the true story of this London legend.
Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse originally formed a rap duo called Sweet ‘n’ Sour with her best friend. She took the name Sour, while her friend was Sweet, inspired by their favorite hip-hop artists.
Her famous beehive hairstyle was not just a fashion statement. She admitted that the size of her hair represented her insecurity; therefore, the bigger the hair, the more insecure she felt.
Surprisingly, she stood only 5 feet 3 inches [1.60 meters] tall. Her massive heels and towering hair often created the illusion that she was much taller than reality.
The iconic song Rehab was born from a casual conversation on a sidewalk. She told her producer Mark Ronson she refused to go, and he immediately suggested turning the phrase into a hook.
Amy Winehouse possessed a tattoo of a pin-up girl on her right arm. This specific ink honored her grandmother Cynthia, who was a singer and a major influence on her style.
She became the first British female artist to win five Grammy Awards in a single night. However, she accepted the awards via satellite from London because her visa application was rejected.
Legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld considered her a major muse for his collections. He compared her unique look to a modern-day Brigitte Bardot during a runway show in 2007.
Before she found fame, she worked as an entertainment journalist for a short time. She wrote show business news for the World Entertainment News Network but quit to focus on music.
Her final studio recording was a duet with the legendary Tony Bennett. They recorded the jazz standard Body and Soul just months before she passed away in London.
Amy Winehouse loved to cook for her friends and family to relax. She was famously excellent at making Caribbean food, specifically meatballs and spicy jerk chicken.
She taught herself to play the guitar at age 13 using her brother’s instrument. She preferred writing songs on a guitar rather than a piano because it felt more personal.
The Sylvia Young Theatre School expelled her when she was a teenager. Administrators asked her to leave because she pierced her nose and displayed a rebellious attitude in class.
Canadian rocker Bryan Adams wrote a song specifically about her struggles. He released Flower Grown Wild as a tribute to her battle with addiction and fame.
A life-sized bronze statue of Amy Winehouse stands in the Stables Market in Camden. Her father helped design the memorial to ensure it captured her spirit perfectly.
She had a favorite cocktail that she invented herself called the Rickstasy. It contained vodka, banana liqueur, Southern Comfort, and Baileys, which sounds incredibly sweet and potent.
