Amy Winehouse (14 September 1983 - 23 July 2011)

As her death stirs the entertainment news worldwide nowadays, Amy Winehouse is still being remembered for her powerful vocals in her songs that made her a famous singer. Despite being involved in several self-destructing display of behavior and erratic public appearances, this 5-time Grammy Award-winning troubled diva is still one of the most talented stars in the music industry.

Amy Jade Winehouse was born on September 14, 1983 in Enfield, London to a Jewish family. Her father, Mitchell Winehouse, is a taxi driver and her mother Janis is a pharmacist and she also has one brother Alex. She attended Ashmole School and was later trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School at the age of 12. At 14 she got expelled for piercing her nose. Later she attended the BRIT School in Croydon.

By 16, she was singing professionally and had her demo tape sent to an A&R person by singer Tyler James. She signed with her current record label Island/Universal under 19 Management. Winehouse hired band Dap-Kings, Sharon Jones's longtime band, to back her up in the studio and on tour.

Winehouse's debut album "Frank" was released on October 20, 2003. The album topped the UK Album Charts in 2004. Her second album Back to Black went to number one on the UK Album Charts. It was number seven on the Billboard 200. At the 2007 BRIT Awards, she performed "Rehab" which is a single from her second album and won the Best British Female Artist award. Prior to the 2007 MTV Europe Music Awards, Amy trashed her hotel room in Berlin by throwing furniture and spaghetti at the walls. It was reported that damages cost thousands of dollars worth.

In May 2007, she married Blake Fielder in Miami, Florida. In August 2007, they both spent about five days in rehab. During this period, she canceled many shows due to exhaustion or ill health. During this time, Amy also embarked on a three-day bender that resulted in her being rushed to a London hospital. She was given an emergency adrenaline shot and had her stomach pumped due to a drug over-dose. Winehouse and her husband were arrested for the possession of marijuana in Norway. Winehouse has admitted to eating disorders and self harm due to insecurities. Her lifestyle has built a concern for her family and friends. While performing at a concert in Burmingham, England in November 2007, Amy was booed by the audience with others walking out in protest due to her drunken state.

Amy Winehouse passed away on July 23, 2011 at her home in Camden, London. She was only 27 years old. Her funeral took place July 26, 2011 at a synagogue in North London where she was cremated as part of her family's tradition. Along with Winehouse's friends and family, music executives and band mates were also in attendance. Close friend Kelly Osbourne attended as well as producer Mark Ronson, who produced Winehouse's album, Back to Black. Her death is too soon, leaving us at a young age with such talent that could still give her a chance and a bright future ahead of her as a remarkable singer. However, Amy will still live on through her music and people who listen to it will remember her for the music legacy she left behind.