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Amy Jade Winehouse (born 14 September 1983) is a British soul, jazz, and rhythm and blues singer and songwriter. Her debut album, Frank (released in 2003) was nominated for the Mercury Prize. She won the Ivor Novello Award in 2004 for her debut single "Stronger than Me" and again in May 2007 for the first single "Rehab" from her 2006 album Back to Black. On 14 February 2007, she won a BRIT Award for Best British Female Artist; she had also been nominated for Best British Album. On 17 July, Back to Black was announced as one of the 12 albums on the 2007 shortlist of Mercury Prize nominees and later that year she was nominated for three MTV Video Music Awards and "Mejor artista nuevo internacional" or "best international new artist" in Los Premios MTV Latinoamérica. The singer's bulimia as well as her drug and alcohol abuse became regular tabloid fodder in 2007.

Life and career

Early life and influences

Amy Winehouse was born in the Southgate area of Enfield, London to a Jewish family with a history of jazz musicians. Her father, Mitchell Winehouse, is a taxi driver and her mother, Janis, is a pharmacist. She has one brother, Alex. She grew up in the suburb of Southgate and attended Ashmole School. At around age ten, she founded a short-lived rap group called Sweet 'n' Sour (Amy was "Sour.") She described the group as 'the little white Jewish Salt 'n' Pepa'. She was trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School when she was twelve years old but was allegedly expelled at fourteen for 'not applying herself' and piercing her own nose. She later attended the BRIT School in Selhurst, Croydon.

Winehouse received her first guitar when she was thirteen. By age sixteen she was singing professionally after her friend soul singer Tyler James sent her demo tape to an A&R person. She later had an "on and off" relationship with Tyler. She signed to her current record label Island/Universal under Simon Fuller's management company 19 Management.

Winehouse hired New York singer Sharon Jones's longtime band, the Dap-Kings to back her up in the studio and on tour, giving the group its first real taste of the limelight.

2003 – 2004: Frank

Amy Winehouse's debut album, Frank, was released on 20 October 2003. It was produced mainly by Salaam Remi; many songs had jazz-influences and, apart from two covers, every song was co-written by Winehouse. The album received positive reviews with compliments over the "cool, critical gaze" in its lyrics and brought comparisons of her voice to Sarah Vaughan, Macy Gray and others.

The album entered the upper levels of the UK album chart in 2004 when it was nominated for BRIT Awards in the categories of "British Female Solo Artist" and "British Urban Act". It went on to achieve platinum sales. Later in 2004, she won the Ivor Novello songwriting Award for "Best Contemporary Song" with her contribution to the first single, "Stronger Than Me" (alongside Salaam Remi). The album also made the short list for the 2004 Mercury Music Prize. In the same year, she performed at the Glastonbury festival, on the Jazzworld stage, and at the V Festival.

After the release of the album, Winehouse commented that she was "only 80 percent behind album" because of the inclusion by her record label of certain songs and mixes she disliked. Upon the release of her second album, she stated "I can’t even listen to Frank any more — in fact, I’ve never been able to. I like playing the tracks live because that’s different, but listening to them is another story." She later clarified this, saying "I listen to it differently now. I am still really proud of it, I still think it's a great album. But, with hindsight, there are some things I would have done differently... Just because I would do things a bit differently now doesn't mean I don't like what's on that album."

2006 – 2007: Back to Black

In early 2006, Winehouse's demonstration tracks such as "Wake Up Alone" and "Rehab" appeared on Mark Ronson's New York radio show on East Village Radio. These were some of the first new songs played on the radio since the release of "Pumps" and were both to appear on her second album. Back to Black went to number one on the UK Albums Chart, and entered at number seven on the Billboard 200, becoming the highest debut entry for an album by a British female solo artist, only to be outdone two weeks later by Joss Stone who debuted at number two with Introducing Joss Stone.

The album was released on October 30 2006, a little more than three years after the release of Frank. In an interview, Winehouse explained "After Frank I didn’t write for 18 months but when I met Mark (Ronson) I pretty much wrote the album in six months — he was so inspiring." In contrast to her jazz-influenced former album, Winehouse's focus is described as "shifting to the girl groups of the Fifties and Sixties". Ronnie Spector stated that Winehouse is her favorite new singer. The eleven-track album was produced entirely by Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson, with the production credits being split between them almost equally.

The first single released from the album on 23 October 2006 was the Ronson-produced "Rehab", a song about her past refusal to attend an alcohol rehabilitation centre after it was encouraged by her management company. She left the management company after this incident. On October 22 2006, based solely on download sales, it entered the UK Singles Chart at #19 and when the CD single was released the following week, it climbed to #7. On January 14 2007, the album rose from #2 to the #1 position on the UK Album Chart. After she won the BRIT award, the album again rose to #1 on 25 February. By 25 October the album was approaching 5 x platinum in the UK making it the best selling album of 2007. One of the songs on Winehouse's album titled "Me And Mr. Jones" is rumoured to be about rapper Nasir "Nas" Jones. This is based on references in her lyrics, such as "Mr. Destiny, 9 and 14." Destiny is the name of Jones's child with ex-girlfriend Carmen, and 14 September is the birthday that Winehouse and Nas share. In Winehouse's song "Rehab," she mentions "Ray" and "Mr. Hathaway," in reference to Ray Charles and Donny Hathaway.

In early October 2006, Winehouse's official website was re-launched with a new layout and clips of previously unreleased songs. She appeared in an interview with Jools Holland on BBC Radio 2 on October 2 2006 and was a guest on Later with Jools Holland on November 3 2006. Winehouse performed three headline gigs in September 2006 and in November 2006 performed another ten across the UK, including headlining one of the Little Noise Sessions charity concerts at the Union Chapel, Islington. She was scheduled to headline another fourteen gigs over February 2007 - March 2007.

The second single from the album was "You Know I'm No Good". The single was released on January 8 2007 with a remix featuring rap vocals by Ghostface Killah. It made #18 in the UK singles chart and, in the same week's chart, "Rehab" climbed back up to #20. Back to Black was released in the United States in March 2007, with "You Know I'm No Good" as its lead single. The album entered at #7, the highest ever debut position for a British female artist at the time, until the release of Joss Stone's third studio album, Introducing Joss Stone which entered at #2 on the Billboard 200. A third UK single, "Back to Black", was released on April 30 2007 and peaked at #25. In summer 2007, "You Know I'm No Good" was also incorporated into ads for AMC's new T.V. drama, Mad Men.

Rehab rose to #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the week of June 14, after a performance of it on the 2007 MTV Movie Awards. The following week it rose to #9.

On December 31 2006, Winehouse appeared on Jools Holland's Annual Hootenanny and performed a cover of Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" along with Paul Weller and Hollands' Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. She also performed Toots and the Maytals' "Monkey Man".

At the BRIT Awards 2007, she performed her hit "Rehab". She won the Best British Female Artist award.

Winehouse's wardrobe on her recent UK tour was sponsored by the clothing label Gio-Goi, and it has recently been rumoured that she is to become the face of the label's 2007 Women's wear collection following in the footsteps of Pete Doherty, who is the face of menswear.

The song "Rehab" won the Ivor Novello award for best contemporary song on May 24 2007.

Winehouse performed at the June 2007 Glastonbury Festival in the UK, the Lollapalooza festival in Chicago on August 5 2007 and the Virgin Music Festival in Baltimore on August 4 2007. She was scheduled to perform at V Festival 2007 on the Channel 4 stage on August 18 and August 19, but her manager announced that she was cancelling and has put all her tour commitments on hold until further notice. Amy Winehouse toured with Patrick Wolf as opening.

In August 2007, "Rehab" was used in AT&T's Amy Winehouse Lip-Sync Video Battle competition. Creators submitted short videos using the song. The $5000 winner was Dana A with his "Drink Responsibly" video.

On September 8 2007 Winehouse settled a claim for copyright infringement over the song from the album "He Can Only Hold Her" brought against her by songwriter and producer P*Nut. His spokesperson said he would now receive a share of the copyright from the song and payment of costs. Previously he had received a "thank you" for his contribution and no songwriter credit on the album.

2007: Amy Winehouse: Told You I Was Trouble

Her debut DVD is scheduled to be released on the 5 November in the U.K., and 13 November in the U.S. It includes a live set recorded at London’s Shepherds Bush Empire and a 50-minute documentary charting the singers career over the last four years. The track list for Told You I Was Trouble is: "Addicted", "Just Friends", "Cherry", "Back To Black", "Wake Up Alone", "Tears Dry on Their Own", "He Can Only Hold Her", "Fuck Me Pumps", "Some Unholy War", "Love Is a Losing Game", "Valerie", "Hey Little Rich Girl", "Rehab", "I'm No Good", "Me & Mr Jones", "Monkey Man", "Outro"

2007: Collaboration with the Babyshambles

In October the singer collaborated with the Babyshambles on a song that the Babyshambles guitarist Mick Whitnall described as a "ska type track. Amy's playing guitar on it and singing as well". Whitnall further explained "She plays better than James Brown playing acoustic guitar," he said. "She thinks she's shit but she's not. I've never met a girl who plays like that, let alone a man".

2007: Vocalist on Mark Ronson song

The singer was a vocalist on a song "Valerie" on the Mark Ronson solo album Version. As of 25 October the song was #2 on the UK singles charts.

Future recordings

On 17 September 2007 the singer confirmed she is to return to the studio to start work on a new album set for release in 2008. . According to The Sun newspaper the singer is to reunite with Mark Ronson. Ronson revealed that Winehouse wants to steer clear of her trademark horn-heavy style: He said, “I think that we can’t do the same thing again – it can’t be like a 60s element or Motown.“If anything, I’d really like to make it sound older or more morbid. Really wall of sound. “But, I don’t want to second guess before I actually hear the songs.” Amy is also said to be working with Missy Elliott and hip-hop producer Timbaland.

Prince says he would like Winehouse to fly to to his Minnesota home to work on a musical collaboration after Christmas. Previously, Prince has said that he was a “big fan” of the singer prompting her to reply: “I’m honoured. I’m a massive fan. I’d love to work with him.”. George Michael has written a song in which he wants to duet with the singer. Michael said "Amy is the best female vocalist I have ever heard in my entire career, as well as one of the best writers"

Personal life

Since her rise to fame, Winehouse has been the subject of much media attention. On 18 May 2007 she married Blake Fielder-Civil in an unannounced ceremony in Miami, Florida. The marriage came as a surprise to fans and even family as the two had split two years earlier, the break-up inspiring several of the songs on Back to Black. In August 2007, she and her husband spent a brief period in rehab but left after five days, much to her family's dismay. During this period she canceled a number of shows in the UK and Europe, citing exhaustion or ill health. In October 2007, Winehouse and her husband were arrested in Norway for possession of marijuana. The couple were later released and fined 3850 Norwegian kroner (around £350). Also during this period the singer and her husband were photographed bloodied and bruised in the streets of London after a hotel room fight allegedly started when according to the singer quoted by a tabloid newspaper she was spotted by her husband doing drugs with a call girl and cutting herself.

Winehouse's lifestyle has been a source of concern to her friends and family. Her father has voiced his worry that his daughter and her husband will at some point "reach rock bottom". The singer's parents-in-law have also made their fears public, urging fans and the industry to boycott her music in an attempt to halt her decline. In a separate interview, her mother-in-law said she was worried that Amy and Blake had become so inseparable that if one were to commit suicide, the other would follow.

The singer has been dropped as the favourite to record the theme tune to the next James Bond movie Bond 22 due to her personal problems, paving the way for Ville Valo of Finnish rock band HIM to record the film's theme. Winehouse was thought to be a shoo-in for the theme, and that there was talk of a cameo appearance.

In various interviews, Winehouse has admitted to having problems with eating disorders, self-harm and drugs.

In an interview for her "Told You I Was Trouble" DVD the singer said she started doing drugs and alcohol during a "self destructive" phase because she was insecure about her looks. This insecurity is the reason for her big hair. She also says in the interview: "Life’s short - just do it. I’ve made a lot of mistakes.“I always say I don’t regret things and I don’t say sorry, but I do really. I believe strongly in fate. I believe that everything happens for a reason.” ,. The singer has promised she will not drink before concerts

Discography

• 2003: Frank
• 2006: Back to Black
• 2008: TBA

Awards and nominations

She was placed #1 on Spinner.com's Women Who Rock Right Now.

Amy Winehouse is a popular Halloween 2007 costume.

References

1. Repertoire BMI. Retrieved on 2007-12-18
2. ^ Charmed and Dangerous The Observer February 1 2004. Accessed October 28 2006
3. http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,4-2007390406,00.html
4. ^ A Frank Interview with Amy The Sun Accessed November 23 2006.
5. Q - The Interview: Amy Winehouse The Independent on Sunday January 18 2004. Accessed October 28 2006
6. She’s Not Anybody’s Backup Act New York Times 29 September, 2007
7. Amy Winehouse:Frank Google. Accessed November 20 2006
8. Frank review The Guardian October 17 2003. Accessed November 4 2006.
9. ^ Frank review allmusic Accessed November 4 2006
10. Amy Winehouse - Frank review BBC. Accessed November 4 2006
11. ^ Amy Winehouse (official site) Accessed October 28 2006
12. The 49th Ivor Novello Award Winners Accessed October 28 2006
13. ^ Wine, Woman and Song The Sun October 27 2006. Accessed October 28 2006
14. Back for Good - Amy Winehouse CMU Beats
15. "Joss Beats Winehouse". MTV.co.uk. 2007-03-29. Retrieved 2007-03-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
16. You'll be hooked too The Observer October 15 2006. Accessed October 28 2006
17. Wine and Poses The Glasgow Daily Record October 27 2006. Accessed November 15 2006
18. Amy Winehouse - I Told You I Was Trouble - Documentary & Live Concert DVD ilikemusic.com 25 October, 2007
19. A New British Invasion? The Wall Street Journal May 9 2007. Accessed May 9 2007
20. [http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/24102007/378858/doherty_snaps MTV Accessed 2007-10-27
21. Winehouse wins best contemporary song ninemsn 2007-05-27. Accessed 2007-05-27
22. Winehouse camps in style at Glastonbury digital spy 2007-06-24. Accessed 2007-06-25
23. Singer Amy settles copyright claim The Press Association
25. Amy Winehouse Causes More Trouble albumvote.co.uk
26. Amy Winehouse records song with Babyshambles NME 16 October, 2007
27. Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse - Valerie ilikemusic.com
28. Amy Winehouse - I Told You I Was Trouble - Documentary & Live Concert DVD ilikemusic.com
29. Amy Winehouse: 'Nothing's wrong with me' Yahoo music 17 September 17, 2007
30. Amy Winehouse “dying to get back in the studio” Showbizspy 9 October, 2007
31. Prince asks Amy Winehouse to duet with him Showbiz Spy 11 October 2007
32. George Michael wants to sing with Amy Winehouse sofeminine.co.uk 16 October, 2007
33. Singer Amy Winehouse weds in Miami Beach. Yahoo News May 18 2007. Accessed May 18 2007
34. Singer leaves rehab after five days August 18 2007
35. Winehouse arrested after drugs found in hotel October 19 2007
36. AMY'S £9K HOTEL BILL Daily Mirror September 9, 2007
37. Bloodied and bruised Amy Winehouse stands by husband who 'saved her life' Daily Mail August 24,2007
38. Fans Urged to boycott Winehouse BBC News August 23 2007
39. Amy Winehouse and Blake are killing each other, says her mother-in-law Daily Mail September 2, 2007
40. James Bond says no, no, no to Amy's theme tune Daily Mirror 17 September, 2007
41. Cut Back on Wine! The Daily Mirror October 20 2006. Accessed October 28 2006
42. Profile: Amy Winehouse BBc News August 29 2007
43. OD put Winehouse in coma Korin Miller, amNewYork Arts & Entertainment Edito r, Newsday.com August 13, 2007
44. Life's too short, just do it, says unrepentant Amy Winehouse Daily Mail 23 October, 2007
45. Amy Winehouse vows to carry on drinking ShowbizSpy 23 October, 2007
46. Winehouse Says No, No, No to Booze SF Gate 25 October, 2007
47. "Amy Winehouse - this year's hottest Halloween costume?". brooklynvegan. 2007-10-29. Retrieved 2007-10-31.

External links

• Amy Winehouse's official website
• Amy Winehouse's official Myspace page
• Amy Winehouse's Okayplayer page
• Almost Famous: Amy Winehouse - Interview
• Rolling Stone Magazine Cover Story 30 May 2007 Amy Winehouse On Fighting Her Inner Demons and the Just-Married Life
• A Guardian Unlimited analysis of her crash and what it means for her career
• Amy Winehouse at Rolling Stone
• Lollapalooza 2007 Live Performance Video
• Universal Republic Records

• 1983 births
• English female singers
• English jazz musicians
• English Jews
• English rhythm and blues singers
• English singer-songwriters
• English soul musicians
• Blue-eyed soul singers
• BRIT Award winners
• Former students of the BRIT School
• Ivor Novello Award winners
• Jewish composers and songwriters
• Jewish singers
• Living people
• People from London
• People from Southgate
• Women in jazz