Requiescat in Pace, Amy Winehouse (September 14, 1983 – July 23, 2011)

So I heard the news earlier today that British singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse was found dead in her London apartment.  I took this news hard because she has been one of my favorites since her debut on the music scene in 2003.  I had always hoped that the talented young singer would put whatever troubles she was dealing with behind her and make a stunning return to the top of the music charts.  Back to Black was such a definitive music statement, so hopefully her musical legacy lives on.

Later, I got into a conversation with a friend about the so called 27 Club, after hearing about Amy's death.  I don't want to make light of any of the musician's lives whose names appear on that list, by linking their deaths to some supposed curse.  But I have to note the interesting coincidences in the patterns those lives took and how they all came to an untimely end.  Amy Winehouse was an amazing songwriter with the type of voice you can't help but listen to.  We should remember her for that, not simply the bad choices she made in life.  And since, at this time, the cause of her death is unknown, it is a bit premature to look at this as a tragic result of those choices.

I remember her for the music.  I remember many nights when her lyrics soothed whatever emotional ails I had at the time.  I remember the vibrant singer who burst into my consciousness with hypnotic vocals and a personality as lovable as it was rebellious.  The world not only lost a very talented artist, but also a young woman who some called daughter, sister, as well as friend.




This is the Amy Winehouse that made me a fan.  And these are some of my favorite tracks by the 5-time Grammy winner.  R.I.P. Amy.  May your music forever live on.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet