Four years ago, on July 23, 2011, the universe lost one of its brightest stars: singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse.
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Explaining Winehouse’s family history, Lori Starr, CJM executive director, said, “The first thing you’re going to see when you enter the gallery is Amy’s family tree”. We’ll never know how far she might have gone. In the two minute clip, which wasn’t used in the Asif Kapadia directed documentary Amy, finds the Black on Both Sides lyricist coming to Winehouse’s defense.
“Amy“, the documentary recently released internationally, probes significant difficulties in Winehouse’s life: her discomfort with fame and the ubiquitous paparazzi, her strained relationships with her father and ex-husband, her fatal substance abuse.
Alex Winehouse reflected on the experience for The Guardian.
As someone who worked closely with the British singer, who died at the age of 27, Bey reminds people to focus on the positive when thinking of her legacy. Amy’s great-great-grandfather, Harris Winehouse, emigrated from Minsk, Belarus in the late 19th century. Winehouse’s brother Alex provided CJM with items from her personal belongings and wrote numerous notes which are on display at the exhibition.
“She brought you some joy”. Mark Ronson (below, at her funeral), who produced the 2006 Grammy Award-winning Back to Black album, said in a statement: “She was my musical soulmate and like a sister to me”.
The exhibits will be supplemented by a season of related programming, including discussions with figures such as renowned rock critic Greil Marcus.
A young Amy outside her Grandma’s flat in Southgate.
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“She did more with her life than make mistakes, or get high, or be messy; and in her short life, she did a lot more with her time than people who have a lot more time than her. So, yeah, she was a G to me”, the rapper states.
