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10 Interesting Facts About Amy Winehouse    

The wealthiest places in the world are not gold mines, oil fields, diamond mines, or banks. The wealthiest place is the cemetery. Therein lies companies that were never started, masterpieces that were never painted, and, in this case, music that was never produced. 

Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer who was born on 14th September 1983 in Southgate, London, in England, U.K. She was very talented and made a significant impact on the music industry during her decade-long career.  

Her unique voice, soulful style, and candid lyrics have earned her a place in the hearts of many music lovers around the world. This singer’s music transcended genres, from soul to rhythm and blues plus jazz. Amy had a distinctive style, which included a beehive hairstyle, heavy eyeliner, and bold red lipstick. 

Despite her untimely death in 2011 at the age of 27, Winehouse’s music continues to be celebrated and cherished by fans across generations. Here are 10 interesting facts about Amy Winehouse. 

1. Amy Was Jewish 

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Amy’s parents, Janis and Mitchell “Mitch” Winehouse were Jewish. She was the youngest in the family and her older brother, Alex, had a guitar that Amy often borrowed and learned how to play. She would eventually buy her own when she was barely a teenager. 

The Winehouse was a Jewish household and as such, Amy attended a Jewish Sunday school while she was young, but she wasn’t keen on learning much. Nevertheless, she wore a large Star of David medallion around her neck most times. 

She maintained the tradition of going to a synagogue annually on Yom Kippur (the most culturally significant Jewish holiday that is observed by many Jews, including secular Jews who may not be keen on other Jewish holidays).  

2. Her Grandma Was Her Biggest Supporter 

Amy came from a family of musicians. Her father often sang jazz songs to her plus her uncles were professional jazz musicians. This singer was very close to her paternal grandmother, Cynthia Winehouse. Cynthia was a singer and jazz enthusiast who introduced Amy to various musical genres and encouraged her love for music.  

Her grandma took Amy to the Sylvia Young Theatre School in London where she received vocal training plus learned how to tap dance. She then proceeded to the BRIT School for Performing Arts, where she studied music and formed her first band. 

Cynthia nurtured her granddaughter’s talent and had faith in her. It’s no wonder that Amy had her grandmother’s name tattooed on her arm. 

3. It’s Her Friend That Gave Amy’s Demo Tape To A Talent Scout  

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Soul singer Tyler James was one of Amy’s best friends and flatmate. Good friends are hard to find and this one was a gem. Tyler was supportive of Amy’s talent, and even took it upon himself to send her demo tape to a talent scout to help her get a recording deal. These Scouts act as a bridge between artists and record labels.  

With a promising demo tape, Amy eventually met and worked with producer Salaam Remi, who helped her secure a record deal and produce her first album, Frank. From there, her career took off, and she quickly became one of the most beloved and iconic voices of her generation. 

4. Amy Won Five Grammy Awards On One Night 

After releasing her debut album in 2003, Amy continued to build her career and establish herself as a talented singer in the industry. The album titled Frank won several awards. 

Her second album, Back to Black, was released in 2006, and it was a success. It became one of the best-selling albums in history, earning five Grammy Awards and making her the first British female artist to win that many Grammy Awards in one night. 

By the time of her death, Amy had won over 20 awards with those two albums. 

Read an article on the Top 10 British Musicians here.

5. Amy Was Married For Two Years  

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She met Blake Fielder-Civil, who was working as a video production assistant, at a Camden bar in London in 2005, and the two went back to her apartment to hear her sing. 

That is how their love story began. Their dating life was mostly about doing drugs together. Brake introduced Amy to hard drugs, crack cocaine, and heroin, and she got hooked. The couple’s parents believed Brake and Amy were toxic together and feared that the two would commit suicide. 

Aware of the opposition from their families, the two eloped on 18th May 2007. They got married at Miami Beach in Florida. Months later, Brake was imprisoned for assault and bribery which forcefully separated the two. 

After his jail term, Brake filed for divorce, and it was finalized on 28th August 2009. 

6. Amy Struggled With Addiction And Also Had An Eating Disorder   

For most of her adult life, Amy went through periods of drinking, heavy drug use, depression, and weight loss. She suffered from bulimia and even had respiratory issues due to smoking. This greatly contributed to her decline in health and eventual death. 

The singer canceled several shows due to being high and was even denied a visa to the U.S. which prevented her from traveling to the Grammy Awards ceremony in 2008 after failing a drug test. 

7. The Singer Died Of An Alcohol Overdose 

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Amy Winehouse passed away on 23rd July 2011 in Camden Town, London, at the age of 27. The cause of death was alcohol poisoning. Her death shocked her fans and the music industry, and it served as a tragic reminder of the dangers of substance abuse.  

She was mourned by fans all over the world, with many paying tributes to her talent and legacy. 

Read about other famous people who died at the age of 27 years here. 

8. She Was Buried Next To Her Grandmother  

3 days after her death, on 26 July 2011, a Rabbi led a private funeral attended by close family and friends. Amy was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium. Her ashes were buried over a year later, on 16th September 2012, next to her grandmother, Cynthia, at Edgwarebury Lane Cemetery in North London. 

9. There Is A Foundation In Her Honor  

Amy’s father, Mitch Winehouse, established the Amy Winehouse Foundation after her death to support young people facing addiction and mental health issues. Her brother Alex is an employee at the foundation. 

10. Amy Has Statues In Her Honor  

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Amy Winehouse has been recognized for her contributions to music in various ways, including the creation of statues and her induction into various halls of fame.  

There is a Bronze statue of this singer in Camden Town, London. It was unveiled on 14th September 2014. Same date as her birthday. There is also a wax sculpture displayed at the London Madame Tussauds. Her name is also on Camden’s Music Walk of Fame and others. 

Amy’s legacy as a musician and cultural icon continues to inspire fans and artists worldwide. She was known for her humor and wit, and her friends and family remember her as a kind and generous person despite her struggles.   

Here is a list of famous singers who died. Check out these 30 greatest British singers of all time.