Amy Winehouse died 15 years ago this year, but in that time, her name has constantly found its way to the centre of drama. It’s about time she was able to rest in peace, fumes Daniel Bird
It’s time to let Amy Winehouse rest peacefully. This year will mark 15 years since one of the greatest singer-songwriters the world has ever seen died.
Aged just 27, Amy died at her home in Camden, North London, on July 23, 2011, from alcohol poisoning. There was an outpouring of love for Amy, from people who had met her a handful of times but claimed they were her close friends, to fans, myself included, being left utterly heartbroken.
I grew up listening to Amy’s music. I had every picture and poster plastered across my walls, including some of the “bad” images of Amy over the years. But her struggles didn’t define her; it was her music which mattered. Her distinctive voice, heartbreaking songs that resonate with everyone, and her connection with you, regardless of your background, made Amy a standout.
Now, 15 years on, I would like to say that Amy is remembered for her talent. In my opinion, there will never be another singer-songwriter like her. While her legacy and songbook are undeniable, we’re in danger of talking about Amy for all the wrong things.
Just today, we have seen her father, Mitch, lose a High Court battle against two of Amy’s closest friends, Naomi Parry and Catriona Gourlay. The former cab driver accused Amy’s friends, who, despite being there at the highest and lowest parts of her life and career, of profiting from selling dozens of items at auctions in the United States in 2021 and 2023.
Both Naomi and Catriona had previously told the court that the items they auctioned were either gifted to them by Amy or that they owned them outright. Lawyers for Mitch told a trial in December that the two women had “deliberately concealed” that they were selling the items, and the legal proceedings were his “only means of obtaining answers”.
The High Court Judge said that since Amy’s death, her estate, including the royalties from her second record, Back To Black, have “made Mr Winehouse personally extremely wealthy.”
Judge Clarke added: ” Mr Winehouse is therefore understandably sensitive about anyone who he perceives as exploiting Amy’s memory, particularly for financial gain, and he is keen to promote the AWF, but also, in my judgment, he is equally sensitive about ensuring that the family continue to benefit financially.”
OK, he may have believed that Naomi and Catriona had auctioned off items to personally benefit them – but could this not have been dealt with privately?
It’s not the first time Amy’s name has been dragged up in recent months. Ex-husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, was given a platform on Paul C Brunson’s Need To Talk podcast to talk about their tumultous romance. Blake shared a string of bombshell claims about Amy and their time together.
They were married from 2007 to 2009 before they divorced. He was in prison when Amy died, and she had moved on and found happiness with partner Reg Traviss and, in my opinion, looked happier and healthier than ever before after getting off drugs. During his podcast appearance. Blake claimed he didn’t encourage Amy to take heroin, despite previously telling The Jeremy Kyle Show in 2013 that he introduced her to the drug.
Blake was serving a 32-month prison sentence for domestic burglary and firearm offences when Amy died. He claimed that he and Amy had spoken about reconciling after their divorce was finalised, and that they’d discussed marrying one another again. During his eulogy at Amy’s funeral, Mitch said that Amy was the “happiest she has been for years” and was “looking forward” to her future with Reg, whom she was said to hope to marry.
Over the years since Amy’s death, her closest friends have only made a few public appearances associated with Amy, including on the BBC documentary Reclaiming Amy, alongside her mother Janis and late step-father Rich, as well as A Life in Ten Pictures. I have to say, these are the only tasteful projects about Amy that I have seen, along with Janis’ memoir, Loving Amy: A Mother’s Story.
There was that frankly awful biopic from Sam Taylor-Johnson, which I don’t think depicted the real Amy. Instead, it focused on her struggles with alcohol and drugs. The Guardian’s Lara Snapes branded it a “grotesque insult” to Amy, with The Standard’s Hamish McBain declaring “it was so bad it made me gasp in horror”.
Amy’s friends and family had no part in the biopic. One of the main issues with the movie was its inability to reflect the real, loving and complex person Amy was. By simplifying her down to her addiction, it failed to show the star she was – from her shyness right through to her success and stardom, as well as being a loving daughter, sister and friend.
Hardly any of Amy’s music was used either, which baffled me – if it’s a biopic, surely it should use her standout material?
Amy’s step-mother, Jame, previously told The Independent that Amy “did get off drugs” before the “alcohol sadly kicked in”. She added: “She did that pretty much herself. Towards the end, the gaps – the periods of sobriety – were getting longer.” Reg wasn’t seen either, which is confusing given he spent her final days with her.
One positive aspect of the film, for me, was Marisa Abela’s portrayal of Amy. While most actors take on a job, Marisa took on Amy. She moved to Camden and started drinking in my beloved The Hawley Arms, where Amy was a regular and was also known to get behind the bar.
Amy was indeed naughty and mischievous and faced her demons, but that’s why she was loved by millions and connected to everybody on a personal level. She wasn’t what she’d been portrayed as over the years. It’s time we left her legacy alone, celebrated Amy properly, remembered her success and achievements, and finally let her rest in peace.
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