One year after the death of Amy Winehouse, the artist’s legacy continues to grow.
On Monday, fans lit candles and left tributes outside her north London home to mark the first anniversary of her death. The talented soul singer with the beehive hairdo died from alcohol poisoning on July 23, 2011, at the age of 27.
Her family on Monday released a statement honouring “a daughter and sister that meant the world” to them. Relatives said they were still struggling to come to terms with her loss.
Winehouse family members also thanked fans for their continued support. They have started a charity to help others fight drug and alcohol abuse.
But music bearing the singer’s signature continues to surface. Perhaps the strongest of her posthumous releases came this month courtesy of rapper Nas in the song Cherry Wine.
Once again, talk has also surfaced of a Winehouse biopic. Her father, Mitch Winehouse, had earlier downplayed the possibility of green-lighting a film based on his daughter’s life, questioning whether he would make her most famous work available for a potential film. Yet when he spoke this week to the Associated Press, the concept appeared to be back up for discussion.
“We don’t want a sensationalised movie going out, you know, but equally there’s no point in sort of massaging the fact that Amy was a alcoholic and drug addict; no point in pretending that didn’t happen,” he said.
Any potential film is likely some time away. More music, however, surely is not. The late artist’s father also confirmed that her unfinished songs are being worked on.
“We’re working with [producers] Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson to see what they’ve got,” he said. “But we have to be mindful; we don’t want to put anything out that could be damaging. It wouldn’t be right for Amy’s fans.”
Amy Winehouse’s name today is associated with more than pop culture. In the year since her death, the launch of the Amy Winehouse Foundation has dedicated itself to helping at-risk youth, and will stage its first gala in October. Remi and singer Tony Bennett are among those scheduled to appear. (With inputs by AP)
