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Sultry throwback soul singer who poured her highly controversial life into her songs.
Biography
A tempestuous public life made her popular in tabloids, but English singer Amy Winehouse was embraced by music critics and fans for her rugged charm, brash sense of humor, distinctively soulful and jazzy vocals, and deeply personal and blunt songwriting. Her U.K. debut, Frank (2003), elicited comparisons ranging from Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan to Macy Gray and Lauryn Hill; despite her strong cockney accent and vernacular, they were apt. Back to Black (2006) delved into the sounds of '50s/'60s-era girl groups and '60s soul. It was the highest charting U.S. debut by a British female artist, and topped charts around the world, but it was her last original album. She was found dead at her home in London in July of 2011. ~ Cyril Cordor
