It has now been 10 years since the death of pop sensation, Amy Winehouse. Marking the anniversary of her death is the release of the documentary ‘Reclaiming Amy’ which allowed the people who knew Amy best to tell her story, her real story. So many have claimed to have known the ‘real Amy’ but there’s only a select few who really knew her. Whether you are someone who personally knew Amy, was a fan before or even after her death, there’s no denying the impact she had.
Controversy
There’s no denying there has been a lot of controversy surrounding Amy Winehouse and her final days. Not only before but since her death, there has been such a public interest almost leaning into the scrutiny of Amy and her choices. It’s no wonder people were so invested – the constant hounding from the public press and tabloids couldn’t have made life easy. A car crash waiting to happen but they never seem to learn. Being scrutinised by the news outlets is the norm for many celebrities, including Amy.
Inspiration
Amy influenced and still influences so many artists. The likes of Adele, Ellie Goulding, Lady Gaga, Lana Del Rey are all inspired by Amy. Not only by her music, but her unique style and sensational voice demonstrated that female artists can be true to themselves. They don’t need to conform and can be themselves. Amy’s authenticity has also been something many have taken inspiration from. Amy never shied away from talking about her own struggles, often told through the art of her music. This is something fans can usually connect to and appreciate honesty. It shows us that these artists are human, just like us. And that’s exactly what Amy was. She was straight with her fans, she was true and honest. Which is why she touched so many different musicians and fans across generations and the world.
Icon Status
Amy was a ‘pioneer’ for the 21st century in terms of her music and who she was as a person. At the time of her death, countless artists voiced their sadness at the news and what an inspiration she was for them. This tweet from Lady Gaga, ‘Amy changed pop music forever, I remember knowing there was hope, and feeling not alone because of her’. She was charming, brilliant but also important and humble. Amy paved the way for female artists with her undeniable talent as well as her unique style.
Whatever happened in her personal life, no one can deny what a musical icon she was. Amy set the curve. Back to Black is one of the greatest albums of the 21st century. We cannot ignore the pure talent this woman had and she would be remembered for that.
Legacy
Known as one of the most influential artists of all time, it’s no wonder Amy Winehouse left such a legacy. A walk through Camden Town will show anyone how Amy’s presence is still alive. This includes a bronze statue of Amy as well as a plaque opposite Camden’s station which commemorates Amy and her legacy. Amy is also immortalised through street art as well people getting inked with various Amy Winehouse tattoos. A major exhibition in Melbourne featured Amy and she also had a wax figure at Madame Tussauds. Devastation hit both fans and the music industry, stating that we had lost a legend. She became a voice for people who felt lost, people who felt troubled, and this will continue beyond all of us.
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