Amy Jade Winehouse (14 September 1983 – 23
July 2011) was an English singer-songwriter
known for her powerful deep contralto vocals[1]
and her eclectic mix of musical genres including
R&B, soul and jazz.[2] Winehouse's 2003 debut
album, Frank, was critically successful in the UK
and was nominated for the Mercury Prize. Her
2006 follow-up album, Back to Black, led to six
Grammy Award nominations and five wins, tying
the then record for the most wins by a female
artist in a single night, and made Winehouse the
first British female to win five Grammys,[3][4]
including three of the "Big Four": Best New Artist,
Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
On 14 February 2007, she won a BRIT Award for
Best British Female Artist; she had also been
nominated for Best British Album. She won the
Ivor Novello Award three times, one in 2004 for
Best Contemporary Song (musically and lyrically)
for "Stronger Than Me", one in 2007 for Best
Contemporary Song for "Rehab", and one in 2008
for Best Song Musically and Lyrically for "Love Is
a Losing Game", among other distinctions. The
album is the biggest seller of the 2000s in the
United Kingdom.[5] Winehouse is credited as an
influence in the rise in popularity of female
musicians and soul music, and also for
revitalising British music.
Winehouse was found dead on 23 July 2011, at
her home in London.[6][7] Police have said that
the cause of her death is "as yet unexplained"[8]
[9][10] and that the death was "non-suspicious".
[11] Winehouse's family and friends attended her
funeral on 26 July 2011. In August 2011 her
album Back to Black became the UK's best selling
album of the 21st century.[12] Winehouse's final
recording, a duet entitled "Body and Soul" with
Tony Bennett, was released on 14 September
2011 to commemorate what would have been
her 28th birthday. Proceeds from the song will go
to the Amy Winehouse Foundation "to support
charitable activities in both the UK and abroad
that provide help, support or care for young
people, especially those who are in need by
reason of ill health, disability, financial
disadvantage or addiction".