Amy Winehouse

Well I hardly have to fill my few readers in on the news that Amy Winehouse was tragically found dead in her Camden flat last Saturday. You may wonder why it's taken me a while to write on this, especially considering my previous post about her alcohol and substance addiction. Truth is I've just not had the time!

Now some may feel my comments in said post were a little harsh, but I by no means take them back. Amy Winehouse was an amazing talent, and her contribution to music will live on for years to come. But unfortunately, as is the case with the majority of addicts and alcoholics who live in the public eye, and upon whom the illness has taken an unstoppable hold, her huge talent was overshadowed by the spectacle of a young woman slowly destroying herself for all to see. George Best springs to mind. Unfortunately her behaviour, for me, represented everything I saw my dad go through six years ago when his alcoholism finally got the better of him, and, three instances of liver failure later, killed him.

Now realistically, I don't think anyone can call this "unexpected". It was certainly surprising, and we hoped this day would never come, but having watched her spiral out of control last month leading up to her disastrous performance in Serbia (in a period when she was supposedly getting back on track), I'm afraid to say I think this was only a matter of time. It's just an absolute tragedy that such a talent, a star who shone so brightly as she burst onto the music scene all those years ago with her sassy personality, powerhouse vocals and unique style, died so young.

Now I won't jump onto the bandwagon, as tends to happen when a star dies. Look at the death of Michael Jackson, for example. How many of those "fans" who contributed to the huge (and deserved) public outpour of grief, were, a couple of years before, branding him a pervert and paedophile, amongst other things. Some had all but forgotten the amazing music he had produced in his life but were so quick to jump to his defense when he died. Unfortunately, this fakery is seen all too often when a celebrity dies, and it just goes to show how fickle the media (and the public who are absorbed by it) are.

I think it's so sad that such a brilliant talent has gone to waste. Unfortunately, as is the case with many of those who suffer the mental illness that is addiction, her demons had too strong a hold on her. If anything good can come out of this, I hope it highlights the huge issue that is addiction and encourages more addicts and alcoholics to fight it, just as Russel Brand did, and get their lives back on track.

Rest in peace Amy, your contribution to British music will never be forgotten.


(I had hoped to write two posts today, but the next shall wait until tomorrow since I've slightly ran out of time. So you've got a post on gay couples having children to look forward to! Check back for updates x)