Soul singer Amy Winehouse, who died unexpectedly aged 27, received numerous tributes from ordinary fans around the world and music luminaries ranging from Tony Bennett to producer Mark Ronson.
The 'Rehab' singer whose problems with substance abuse were well-documented, died at her home in London, and while it appears she has lost her battle with drink and drugs, an official cause of death has yet to be determined.
Nevertheless, fans speculated that she became another in a long list of singers, actors and other celebrities whose problems in the public limelight led to their demise - Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Heath Ledger.
The British singers' talent was discovered when she was 16, and her debut album 'Frank in 2003 earned acclaim. But it was her second CD, 2006's Back to Black that made her a star.
The record produced a string of memorable tunes, including You Know I'm No Good, Love Is a Losing Game and Rehab, which contained the line: "They tried to make me go to rehab. I said 'no, no, no.'"
The album reached reached No. 1 in Britain and earned Winehouse five Grammys, pop music's highest honors.
The singer's grief-stricken mother Janis told the Daily Mirror she had seen her daughter the day before she was found dead.
She said: “She seemed out of it. But her passing so suddenly still hasn’t hit me.” The award-winning performer had said “I love you” at the end of a day out together, and her mother said she would always treasure those words.
Father Mitch, who flew back from New York when he heard the devastating news, said: “This isn’t real I’m completely devastated.”
Today police confirmed that a post-mortem examination on the 27-year-old’s body will not be scheduled before tomorrow.
Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood performed with The Faces last night and dedicated “I would rather go blind” to her. He said: “Such a beautiful singer, such a waste.” Today an increasing number of tributes had been left at the edge of police cordons surrounding the singer’s house in Camden, north London, including alcoholic drinks and cigarettes. There were also soft toys, flowers and candles.
Pieces of artwork had also been laid down, including a striking photo of Winehouse posing in a bar, and a picture by artist Mysterious Al, showing Winehouse’s face with monochrome cartoon eyes and a white streak in her trademark beehive hair.
Many notes were also left, one reading “Too fragile, too beautiful, too big a talent for this world”, and another which said: “To an exquisite singer with a beautiful voice”.
Neighbour John Lea (30) said he had last seen her around two weeks ago, looking “normal”. He said: “I’d see her occasionally, wandering around. She didn’t go out much really. I didn’t hear the noises on Friday night, although I was in. I didn’t realise anything had happened until the ambulances and police turned up, and I saw two women outside who were very, very upset.”
Another neighbour and fan, who did not want to be named, said she had seen her near the Hawley Arms pub around six months ago looking “happy and healthy”.
She said: “It’s sad to hear she’s passed away. People just saw her as part of the community here, especially young people. It’s nice to see that they have come here (to the singer’s home).”
Mark Ronson, producer of Back to Black, tweeted that Winehouse "was my musical soulmate & like a sister to me. this is one of the saddest days of my life."
Singer/songwriter and Matchbox 20 frontman Rob Thomas sought to pour cold water on many of the more sarcastic remarks by tweeting, "So many people saying that because it's not a surprise that Amy Winehouse passed, it's not sad. I hope you have more compassion for friends."
Music legend Tony Bennett, who recorded the classic pop standard Body And Soul with Winehouse last March, issued a statement calling her "an artist of immense proportions.
"I am deeply saddened to learn of her tragic passing. She was an extraordinary musician with a rare intuition as a vocalist and I am truly devastated that her exceptional talent has come to such an early end," Bennett said.
The US-based Recording Academy, which gives out the Grammys, also issued a statement calling Winehouse "a dynamic performer and musician who seamlessly blended rock, jazz, pop, and soul and created a sound all her own."
Agencies