Amy Winehouse's Life in Photographs

Updated on July 25, 2022 11:39 AM by Ella Bina

Introduction

Amy Winehouse posed as a child in her ballerina finest, wearing the ballet flats that would later become her trademark. But she didn't want to be a performer; she wanted to be a roller-skating waitress.

Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer and songwriter who died on July 23, 2011. She was known for her deep, expressive contralto vocals as well as her eclectic musical tastes, which included soul, r&b music, and jazz.

Winehouse at the age of 8

Winehouse all smiled in a school photo when she was eight years old. "She was always very independent," her father, Mitch, recalled.

"Not bad manners, but... different." With the release of her highly lauded new album, Frank, in 2003, Winehouse took the stage at an HMV in Birmingham, England, to advertise the bluesy disc.

In 2004

Winehouse began receiving accolades in 2004 when she was awarded the prestigious Ivor Novello Award, which recognizes outstanding songwriters. She joined an elite group that includes previous winners John Lennon, Sir Elton John, and David Bowie.

In 2007

Winehouse went on a girls' night out in Los Angeles with fellow Brit Kelly Osbourne. "I can't even breathe[e] right now because I'm crying so hard because I just lost one of my best friends," Osbourne tweeted after Winehouse died in July 2011. "I'll always love you, Amy, and I'll never forget the real you!"

Ronson said

Winehouse performed with Mark Ronson, who produced her highly lauded 2006 breakthrough song, Back to Black, in 2008. "She was my musical partner in life," Ronson said after her death in a tweet.

After trying to sweep the 2008 Grammy Awards, an emotional Winehouse embraced her mother, Janis. "It's for London! It's for London!" Winehouse applauded, keeping her arm around her mother throughout her victory speech.

Mama said

In 2008, the cheeky singer punched in the face for the camera in front of a huge crowd of adoring fans in London. In 2010, Winehouse posed with her granddaughter Dionne Bromfield. Winehouse amazed the crowd at the teen singer's London gig nine months, just days before her death, by having joined her on stage for a cover of "Mama Said."

Lawrence said

Winehouse gave a spontaneous - and stellar - achievement at a 150-capacity club in London in October 2010, singing her hit "Tears Dry on Their Own" as well as some original music.

"Amy just silently mouthing to me, 'I know I'm not on the lineup, but do you psyche if I play?'" club manager Izzy Lawrence told the BBC. "Clearly, I couldn't say no, and she got up and played, and it was amazing." Lawrence added, "If those songs are going to be on the latest album, it's going to be huge."

On July 23, 2011

Despite her talent and achievements, Winehouse's later years were marred by substance abuse problems and an on-again, off-again connection with the equally troubled Blake Fielder-Civil.

On July 23, 2011, she was discovered dead at her home in London; the coroner determined her death was an "unforeseen result" of excessive alcohol consumption.

According to the inquest

Winehouse, 27, was more than five times over the legal limit when she died, and two large containers and one small bottle of vodka were discovered in her bedroom at her Old house.

The coroner described Winehouse as an "intelligent, decided young woman who, at times, was able to successfully abstain from alcohol," while declaring the cause of death as "alcohol toxicity."