nowbodhi's blissness: Back to Black Monday

Monday, September 14, 2020

Back to Black Monday

EN: Hello again from smoky Oregon! Let's finish up the triple play around the 600th post to this page with the b'day of a beloved and tremendously gifted trainwreck, OK? And for the guest blogging, let's hand it over to my boyfriend -- who unlike me, knows at least Thing One about her music -- to tell you all wussup!

Richie: 37 years ago today. The place: London, England. The day: dry and summery, September 14, 1983. The event: a couple welcomed their second child into the world. Who: Amy Jade Winehouse, who would later go on to have one of the best-selling albums ever in the United Kingdom.

Tragically, she also went on a long and hard path of substance abuse, until her untimely and sad death on July 23, 2011 due to alcohol poisoning.

While she was alive, not only did Amy earn record companies massive profits, she also won several Grammy Awards and inspired millions with her totally unique, ever-faithful take on Classic Soul music.

However, money and success aside, Amy was severely addicted to drugs and alcohol. Unfortunately, she could not escape the demons that plagued her. Her songs were like love songs, yet the love was the drink.

I am saddened that Amy left us so soon, at only 27, and I just wish she had a child to carry on her legacy that was cut short.

We only got three albums from her, but at least we got three albums from her before she departed, what seems like only yesterday.

With inspirations ranging from Frank Sinatra to Mary J. Blige, Amy Winehouse helped set the stage for performers like Lady Gaga, Ellie Goulding and Florence Welch to be accepted and welcomed into the performing world with their unapologetic quirkiness and often otherwordly, individual styles.

Her recordings -- Frank, Back to Black, and Lioness: Hidden Treasures -- are here for us to celebrate, and continue to honor this beautiful and amazing soul who so sadly left us nine years ago.