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110726tt 11 07 26 26 Jul 2011 The Times Amy Winehouse dies at the age of 27

Amy Winehouse, English singer-songwriter known for her powerful contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz dies at the age of 27. She won the Ivor Novello Award three times, one in 2004 for Best Contemporary Song (musically and lyrically) for "Stronger Than Me", one in 2007 for Best Contemporary Song for "Rehab", and one in 2008 for Best Song Musically and Lyrically for "Love Is a Losing Game", among other distinctions. The album was the third biggest seller of the 2000s in the United Kingdom. She participated in the 46664 concert in July 2008 for Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday. With her public drug use and rehab history, Amy Winehouse's death, while sad, wasn't unexpected.

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THE family of Amy Winehouse say they have been left "bereft" by the young singer's death.
But blame has replaced grief for the acclaimed jazz star, who died on Sunday aged 27 in her north London home.
Music industry figures criticised her management company for sending the fragile artist on a recent, failed tour while she was reportedly addicted to crack cocaine.
WINEHOUSE'S HOME
Darcus Beese, co-president of Island Records, which represented Winehouse, reportedly said last week that her management company, Metropolis, was mad to send her on a 12-date European tour last month, and he wanted her to sever ties with Metropolis.
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The tour was cut after crowds booed an apparently intoxicated Winehouse off stage in Belgrade this month.
Sources close to Winehouse said the combined trauma of the Belgrade show and the recent break-up with her boyfriend, Reg Traviss, 34, had left the star struggling to cope last week.
But while Winehouse's battle with drug and alcohol addiction was widely known, her sudden death devastated her close family.
A family statement yesterday said: "Our family has been left bereft by the loss of Amy, a wonderful daughter, sister, niece. She leaves a gaping hole in our lives.
"We are coming together to remember her and we would appreciate some privacy and space at this terrible time."
Reports yesterday suggested Winehouse had died after a crack, ketamine and ecstasy binge.
She had been seen meeting a drug dealer on Saturday near her $3 million home in Camden.
A neighbour said she heard screams coming from the singer's house on Sunday morning.
An autopsy is being held to determine the cause of Winehouse's death, but a coroner's official said last night that police have found no suspicious circumstances.
Coroner's officer Sharon Duff said "the scene was investigated by police and determined non-suspicious".
Because of her Jewish faith, Winehouse's funeral was to be held as soon as possible. It is expected to take place at a North London synagogue attended by her mother.



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