The funeral for British singer, Amy Winehouse, was held in London, England today, as the singer was found dead on Saturday, July 23, 2011, of a suspected drug overdose. Dozens of Winehouse's family and friends, came out to pay their respects and bid her farewell.
Crowds gather outside the funeral
Winehouse's ex-husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, who publicly admitted he introduced the once healthy singer to heroin and crack-cocaine, marking a massive downward spiral in her life and career, was barred from the funeral by her family and denied permission to leave prison to attend the funeral.
Amy Winehouse's dad Mitch Winehouse
No official cause of death has been determined at this time, due to the autopsy being branded "inconclusive." Standard toxicology tests are underway, with the results expected in several weeks. Winehouse leaves behind an estate worth millions and numerous unreleased songs.
Amy Winehouse's family and friends
Her story should serve as a sobering reminder to many of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, as Winehouse had so much to live for, but due to not embracing the importance of remaining sober, lost her life. This really is a tragic waste of life, because as accomplished as she was in her chosen profession, there was still so much more she could have done over time, with the talents God gave her. Drug and alcohol abuse brought it to a halt.
Amy Winehouse's Funeral
It is full time the entertainment industry started doing more to keep artists drug free. It is ridiculous the number of entertainers that have overdosed. The National Basketball Association in America has taken a proactive role in educating athletes on the dangers of fame and wealth. It's time the music, film and television industries in Britain and America do the same.
27-year old Amy Winehouse, had a history of battling drugs and alcohol.
Winehouse left a British rehabilitation program according to her representative in preparation for her scheduled European concerts.
Report also says, that Amy Winehouse group shorten her European concert tour in Belgrade, Serbia, last month the singer staggered around the stage and stumbled through several songs.
Ironically, Amy joins Rock n’ Roll Heaven headliners Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Brian Jones, and Kurt Cobain – all 27 at the time of their deaths.
I don’t know the exact age but I remember reading somewhere that the life expectancy of any rock star is somewhere in the 50’s. Granted, they pack 90 years of living in those 50+ years but still. That’s waaaaay too young.
And it brings up the question – is it worth it? The fame, the girls, the money, the highs? For me, absolutely not. But that’s really easy for me to say because I had no shot whatsoever of becoming a rock star. When the Beatles first burst upon the scene and every kid scrambled to learn how to play the guitar I took the lazy route and tried to master the harmonica. (Hey, John Lennon played one. And so did Bob Dylan. Of course, they played other instruments and were also talented.)
But looking back, it was a blessing. Amy Winehouse was given an enormous gift, which proved to be a deadly curse. It’s easy to say she made a lifestyle choice but that’s not entirely fair. Without her extraordinary voice would she still have gone down the same path? I couldn’t say. I never met Amy Winehouse. With no music in her life perhaps she would have lived another seventy years happily selling handbags at Harrod’s. Or her demise might’ve been two years earlier.
One thing for certain though -- rock stardom takes its toll. The demands are high. Touring, recording, losing Grammys to Milli Vanilli. Some handle it better than others. Not everyone dies. Some go on to become AMERICAN IDOL judges or golfers (Alice Cooper). But others, like Amy Winehouse, are not so fortunate.
Now come the tributes, the shrines, candlelight vigils. Her CD’s will top the charts, seventeen unauthorized biographies will be available by next week (each claiming to be the real story, even the one that blames her death on corn syrup in baked goods), the E! TRUE HOLLYWOOD STORY will play on a continuous loop until the next rapper is gunned down, and the movie will be released next May. Talk about the part Lindsay Lohan was born to play.
Amy Winehouse crosses over from troubled, fucked-up rock singer to icon, martyr, legend.
I’m sorry but all of this makes it hard to mourn. I kind of hate admitting that but it's true. And that's almost as sad to me as her being only 27 and none of us being surprised.
images amy winehouse drugs
Drugs are making Amy Winehouse's teeth fall out
Troubled singer Amy Winehouse's drug habit is taking such a bad toll on her health that it is causing her teeth to fall out.
The truth behind why Grammy-winning singer Amy Winehouse had a swollen face has been revealed. The drug addicted star has been diagnosed with impetigo, a bacterial skin infection resulting in blistering and an itchy rash.
Troubled singer Amy Winehouse's drug habit is taking such a bad toll on her health that it is causing her teeth to fall out.
The truth behind why Grammy-winning singer Amy Winehouse had a swollen face has been revealed. The drug addicted star has been diagnosed with impetigo, a bacterial skin infection resulting in blistering and an itchy rash.
amy winehouse drugs
images amy winehouse pictures
AMY WINEHOUSE DEATH
At 3:54 pm BST (14:54 UTC) on 23 July 2011, two ambulances were called to Winehouse's home in Camden, London. Shortly afterwards, the Metropolitan Police confirmed her death. Her record label, Universal, released a statement that read in part: "We are deeply saddened at the sudden loss of such a gifted musician, artist and performer."
amy winehouse pictures