Biographic - Sunday March 15, 2020 Comic Strip Licensing and Permissions

Transcript

"Beyond Black" a new exhibition at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, showcases the style of Amy Winehouse, the acclaimed British singer whose life was cut tragically short in 2011. Born in London on September 14, 1983. Amy Jade Winehouse was only 10 years old when she found a short-lived rap group, sweet 'n' sour, with a childhood friend. Educated at stage schools, she was singing with a jazz band when her demo tape secured her a recording contract through a management deal with Simon Fuller, the entertainment mogul behind such acts as The Spice Girls and the "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance" television juggernauts. Her 2003 album, "Frank" went platinum in the U.K and earned her rave reviews, award nominations and slots on some high-profile festivals. Following a lengthy spell out of the limelight, Amy re-emerged in 2006 with the album "Back To Black" propelled by the wildly catchy hit "Rehab" the album soared to the upper reaches of the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. By 2008, Amy Winehouse was one of music's biggest new stars, with a host of awards and honors, including Grammys from 6 nominations- but her success were married by her chaotic private life. The full glare of the media spotlight fell on the "wild child" and husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, and the tales of excess, legal woes, and shambolic shows became tabloid fodder. By 2009, she was divorced and making a determined effort to get healthy. Sadly, her efforts were in vain, and alcohol poisoning took her life in the summer of 2011. She was 27. After her death, her album "Back to Black" became, for a time, the U.K best-selling album of the 21st century. To date, it has sold 16 million copies worldwide. A 2015 documentary about her life won an academy award.

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