TRENDING NOW

Amy Winehouse was an artist who left a lasting mark on music and pop culture with her unique talent and captivating personality. Born in London in 1983, her career was marked by a powerful blend of jazz, soul, and R&B, which made her one of the most distinctive voices of her generation.


With an unmistakable style and magnetic presence, Winehouse enchanted the world with her debut album, “Frank,” and achieved global fame with “Back to Black.” But her journey, filled with ups and downs, is as fascinating as her music. In this text, we will explore intriguing facts about Amy Winehouse’s life and career, revealing lesser-known aspects that help to better understand the complexity of this extraordinary artist and her lasting impact on music.


Get ready for a journey through the world of one of the most unforgettable voices in modern history.

1 – SHE ONCE FORMED A RAP DUO


Before rising to fame as a singer, Amy teamed up with a childhood friend, Juliette Ashby, to form a hip-hop duo called “Sweet ‘n’ Sour,” inspired by the female rap group Salt-N-Pepa, who were popular in the 80s and 90s.

2 – LOVE FOR JAZZ RAN IN THE FAMILY


Amy’s calling for jazz seemed inevitable, as many of her uncles were renowned jazz musicians.


Her father, Mitch, although a taxi driver, sang Frank Sinatra at home and always harbored a desire to become a singer. In 2010, after Amy achieved fame, Mitch finally realized his dream and released his debut album, titled “Rush Of Love.”

3 – EXPELLED FROM SCHOOL


Amy Winehouse was expelled from her school, the Brit School, in 2003 after getting a nose piercing. At the time, the school had strict rules about students’ personal style, and adding the piercing was considered a violation of these rules.


This rebellious attitude was one of many that characterized Winehouse’s personality during her youth, reflecting her independent spirit and willingness to challenge conventions.

4 – CONTRACT WITH THE MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE SPICE GIRLS


At just 19 years old, Amy signed a contract with the company founded by Simon Fuller, the creator of Pop Idol, which later led to American Idol, and the manager of the Spice Girls.

5 – BREAKING INTO THE AMERICAN MARKET


Amy Winehouse broke into the American market and subsequently gained global recognition with her second album, “Back To Black”, in 2006. At that time, she was already very popular in the UK, where her debut album, “Frank” (2003), had reached the top 5 of the British charts. However, “Frank” was only made available in the United States in 2007.

6 – THE SUCCESS OF “REHAB”

Amy will forever be remembered for “Rehab”, the 2006 hit where, with a bold attitude, she sings “They tried to make me go to rehab / I said no, no, no”.


In this context, “they” referred to her manager, Nick Shymansky, who indeed tried to persuade her to seek treatment for alcoholism in 2005. Amy only checked into a rehabilitation clinic for the first time in 2008.

7 – LEARNING GUITAR


Amy is widely recognized as an extremely talented singer and songwriter, but she also mastered the guitar. She started playing the instrument at age 11, using her older brother’s guitar.


Over time, she bought her own guitar and learned enough chords to accompany herself and create melodies while composing her songs.

8 – SEVERAL TATTOOS


One of the most distinctive features of Amy Winehouse’s appearance was her numerous tattoos. Among the most well-known were a pin-up with her breasts exposed and the phrase “Daddy’s Girl” on her left arm, a sailor’s anchor on her stomach, and the name “Blake” (referring to her ex-husband, Blake Fielder-Civil) on her chest.

9 – “BODY & SOUL”


The singer recorded the track “Body & Soul” for the American singer’s second duet album. In his 2016 autobiography, Bennett highlighted Amy’s significance to music, stating: “She captured the spirit of jazz and brought new light to it, reaching the younger generation”, he wrote.

10 – WAX FIGURE AND LEGO FIGURE


The famous Madame Tussauds wax museum, located in London and known for its figures of celebrities, included Amy Winehouse in its collection in July 2008. Creating the statue, based on photographs of the British singer, took four and a half months to complete.


The singer also received a Lego figure of herself, as part of a 30th anniversary commemorative line from the brand.

11 – HISTORIC GRAMMY WIN


Amy Winehouse had a memorable performance at the 2008 Grammy Awards, where her career reached new heights. She received five nominations and won five awards, including Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Album for “Back To Black”.


Although she was in England and not physically present at the ceremony, her victory was celebrated with great enthusiasm.


Her Grammy achievement solidified her position as one of the most talented and influential artists of her generation.

12 – NEW MATERIAL TOTALLY DESTROYED


A few weeks before her death in July 2011, Amy Winehouse had completed writing songs for what would have been her third studio album.


According to the British press, she had even scheduled recording sessions with her producers, Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson. However, the demos from that period are no longer available, as the head of the record label, David Joseph, decided to destroy the material.


“It was a matter of principle. Taking advantage of snippets or vocals recorded by her is something I would never allow while I am in charge. Now, no one else will be able to do it”, he said at the time in an interview with “Billboard”.


Amy Winehouse was a remarkable artist, whose life and career were as intense and complex as her music. With an unmistakable voice and a style that blended jazz, soul, and R&B, Winehouse not only captivated audiences with her vocal prowess but also became a cultural icon.


Her lyrics, often reflecting her own personal struggles, resonated deeply with many. Unfortunately, her life was short and marked by challenges, but her influence remains. Through albums like “Back To Black”, Winehouse left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire new generations of musicians and fans.


Her contributions to the music world and her complex personal story serve as a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have on global culture, even when their journey is marked by difficulties.


Amy Winehouse is a shining example of intertwined talent and vulnerability.