On this day in 2011, the world lost Amy Winehouse. At just 27, the Camden-born singer was found dead in her home from alcohol poisoning. Fourteen years later, the shock still lingers. Amy wasn’t just a talented artist—she was one of the most unique voices of her generation. Her breakthrough album Back to Black was steeped in heartbreak, addiction, and grit, delivered with raw soul and a husky voice that felt far older than her years.

She wasn’t just singing songs – she lived them. Tracks like Rehab, Love Is a Losing Game, and You Know I’m No Good weren’t clever pop hooks. They were warnings, admissions, and confessions, laid bare with brutal honesty.

From North London to the world stage

Born in North London in 1983 to a jazz-loving family, Amy was raised on vinyl records and a strong sense of attitude. She was expelled from theatre school, got her first tattoo by 16, and recorded her first demos not long after. Her debut album, Frank (2003), was witty and jazzy, full of personal lyrics and a refusal to conform to industry rules. But it was Back to Black that changed everything.

Fuelled by the pain of a toxic relationship and her unraveling lifestyle, Amy wrote songs that cut deep. She sang like someone with nothing left to lose. The album topped charts worldwide and became one of Britain’s best-selling records of the decade.

Fame

Amy’s rise was fast, but her fall played out in real time. The towering beehive, the smeared eyeliner, the slurred words – it all became tabloid fodder. But behind it was a woman struggling with addiction, love, and the weight of expectation. Her marriage to Blake Fielder-Civil was a whirlwind of codependency and self-destruction. Public fights, arrests, hospitalisations, and cancelled shows followed. Still, her voice never lost its power.

In 2008, she won five Grammy Awards in one night. A year later, she was living in St. Lucia, trying to stay clean. In the years before her death, there were moments of recovery and relapse. Her final recording – a duet with Tony Bennett – showed she still had it. But time ran out.

Timeline of Amy Winehouse

14 September 1983

Born in North London

Grew up in a Jewish family surrounded by jazz. Her father was a cabbie with a deep love for Sinatra, which shaped Amy’s early sound.

1996

Expelled from theatre school

Attended Sylvia Young and the BRIT School, but clashed with authority. Rebellious from the start, she was more interested in music than rules.

2003

Debut album Frank released

LA jazz-inspired record full of wit and sharp lyrics. Frank didn’t top charts, but critics saw her as a raw new talent.

2006

Back to Black changes everything

Fuelled by heartbreak and addiction, the album became a global hit. Rehab made her a household name, but her troubles became public.

2007

Marries Blake Fielder-Civil

Their stormy relationship dragged her deeper into addiction. Paparazzi followed their every move as things spiralled out of control.

2008

Wins five Grammy Awards

Despite the chaos, her talent couldn’t be denied. She became the first British woman to win five Grammys in one night.

2009

Moves to St. Lucia

Tried to get clean and escape Camden. Claimed to be off drugs, but admitted to drinking heavily to fill the gap.

June 2011

Final show in Belgrade

A messy performance where she slurred, forgot lyrics, and was booed off stage. The rest of the tour was cancelled.

23 Jul 2011

Dies aged 27 in Camden

Found dead at home. The cause: alcohol poisoning. Fourteen years later, her voice still hasn’t faded.

The legacy lives on

Amy Winehouse died young, but her music lives on. Fourteen years later, people still listen to her songs, still feel her voice. She helped shape a new wave of British soul and proved that music doesn’t need to be perfect to be powerful. Her look, her sound, her honesty – none of it has been forgotten.

Rest in peace, Amy!