Image Credit: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images for NARAS
One of the breakout moments of the 2008 Grammy telecast on CBS was a stellar live performance by Amy Winehouse. The dynamic singer, who passed away today at the age of 27, was a multiple nominee that night, so her appearance on the show was a must. Making it happen, however, was not as easy as it looked.
Flashback to 2008: Winehouse was undergoing treatment for drug addiction, which made it difficult for her to obtain a work visa to appear on the show, so CBS and the Grammy brass set up a contingency plan so she could perform live from a London soundstage. At the 11th hour, Winehouse secured that elusive visa, but it was too late for the show, so CBS stayed with Plan B. “We knew we could pull it off,” said Jack Sussman, CBS’ head of special programming. “Regardless of whether you are a rock star, a soul singer, a folk singer or a country artist, everybody wants to be part of the Grammys, so we knew she wanted to participate.”
The performance occurred beyond the witching hour — it was after 3 a.m. when Winehouse appeared on the soundstage to perform. (Cuba Gooding Jr., who was in London at the time, was asked to introduce her appearance.) But it was a seamless transition from the telecast — which was broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles — to the U.K, where Winehouse performed “You Know I’m No Good” and “Rehab.” By the end of the ceremony, Winehouse won five Grammys, including Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album (for Back to Black), and Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Vocal Performance (all for ”Rehab”). “Any time an artist gets that moment on a Grammy telecast, it is a moment for them to be celebrated by their peers and be seen by tens of millions in one moment in time,” said Sussman, who can’t remember the last time the Grammys went to such lengths to include a performance. “When you score big, you get on a roll and will forever be known as a Grammy winner. There is no doubt about the creative talent that woman had and what she exhibited in that moment in time.”
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She killed herself. Whether she overdosed or her body gave out, she killed herself. Why are we honoring someone who is an example to all up-and-coming musicians of how NOT to live and work in the industry?
Even Winehouse’s own mother knew this day was coming. She’s been quoted countless times that she considered Winehouse a dead woman already. Now it’s come to pass.
Bury her, move on.
I agree, Matt. I am quite surprised at the amount of coverage for Amy’s death. While she is was talented, she should not be compared to Jimmy Hendrix, Janis Joplin, or Kurt Cobain, all who died at her same age. The little bit of music she had out there was outstanding (to most), but in no way makes her a “legacy.” She said “no, no no” to rehab, and though it’s sad she was at that emotional/psychological point in her life, she died. We all die, and her lifestyle choices led to an early death. Bury her, celebrate her (a little), but move on.
I agree she did this to herself, but why shouldn’t she be compared to the other “27 Club” members? They were all self-destructive, every one of them. And Amy’s music will stand the test of time and has had an impact on artists like Adele, Lady Gaga, and Duffy, even though it remains to be seen whether she will truly have the inimitable legacy of a Joplin or Hendrix.
Total sham. Less wow.
Zach, I suppose that is what I meant by her not being compared to the likes of Hendrix or Joplin. She has impacted artists today but her musical “legacy” is yet to be seen. “Her music will stand the test of time”…well it hasn’t been long yet so I guess we’ll see if it does!! great point though, xx
Addiction is very sad. It may seem like choice, but it is not. Maybe she should be an example to the public to stop encouraging the behavior that we find so entertaining because she has really very truly ceased to exist at a mere 27 years old. Do you think it’s as easy as seeing an addict and saying “Gee, I think I will not be an addict because I don’t want to become Winehouse or Poe or Joplin.” Who picks up a beer with the intention of becoming an addict? No, I’m not an addict, but I’ve known plenty of them and “‘There, but for the grace of God, go I.” This is tragic and I promise no matter what her mother said, the woman was not prepared and has had her life shattered. If nothing else, the mother deserves our compassion, not your arrogant and self-centered comments. Sometimes it’s better and kinder to keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself.
Exactly. Addiction comes in all forms – not just drugs and alcohol.
I’ve had constant conversations with my sister about how and why someone could punish themselves. And now she’s addicted.
Not understanding and judging someone harshly because they refuse to get help is easier said than done – until it effects someone close to you.
We shouldn’t honor a talented and gited woman just because she was troubled but it’s ok to honor untalented, fame-wh*res like Kim K?
Amy Winehouse deserves the recognition she’s getting. The media focued more on her troubled, destructive life rather than the raw talent she is and in certain ways provoked it. You don’t expect a fragile, recovering adfict to turn back to drugs when a national magaizine calls her “the most hated woman in the country”?
If media coverage and technology was this prominent during the lives of Joplin, Hendrix, and the rest you would be saying the same thing about them.
*The media focued more on her troubled, destructive life rather than her raw talent and they in certain ways provoked her destructive path.
Elvis, Jim Morrison, Jimmy Hendrix, Janet Joplin, Whitney Hudson and Amy Winehouse
All died because of drugs and are THE BIGGEST NAME IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS!!
They will never be forgotten
Why couldn’t it have been Britney instead? At least Amy had talent!
I’m sure you think you’re being funny but this is so disgusting. I can’t believe people sometimes.
Actually I was being serious.
Britney is a horrible, mean, talentless, bi+ch and if any singer(although I use that term loosely with her her) deserved it the most it is Britney.
@Josh- Why don’t you just wish that Amy had cleaned herself up and found the support she needed instead of wishing death on someone else in her place? Why must anyone die in your hypothetical situation? It’s ironic when you say Britney is horrible and mean yet you’re the one wishing death on another person. A pop singer of all people, not even a serial killer, or terrorist, or someone who can be labeled as a legitimately horrible person. Maybe you should try thinking before you type.
@Tye-Grr You are speaking logic to a clearly disturbed person in Josh. I doubt your thoughtful contribution will be understood by him.
Dude u are a moron. Its amazing idiots like yourself even have internet access
Britney nah!, let Britney survive the one to take Amy’s place is no other than the COPY-CAT LADY GAGA
Josh, you’re seriously sick. The way some people act like they KNOW celebrities so they can make awful comments is deranged.
How do you know Britney is mean or horrible? She seems like a very good-natured person who just wants to be normal. The way the media has come down on her so hard (well before her breakdown, not to mention now) would drive anyone crazy.
As for her talent, I doubt you or most people could perform a show like her. And she’s an extreme professional in the studio; she just gets it done. I actually think she should sing live more often; she wasn’t that bad but got soo much criticism for it.
In conclusion you’re a sick person and have fun tonight in your lonely, dirty apartment.
A
Sadness and anger come to mind. Beautiful life wasted. I am very sorry.
I’m really bummed. I loved her music and her artistic creativity. I was hoping she would get her life together and we would see more of that talent in the future. What a waste…
I often think that people that are heartless about a person in the public eye passing is because they think they have been through so much themselves. You just come across as deluded, bitter and very very sad.
Lohan will be next
it’s a sad thing to happen. she couldn’t let go of it. most people who gets hooked says it’s very hard to control. but now, she’s at peace. let’s just look at that. she’s at peace
Whether you liked her or not, the loss of life is very sad, especially since she was so young and talented. I hope she finds the peace she lacked on earth.
i’m so saddened by her death but of course not shocked. I remember watching these grammys and hoping that she was getting things together.
Nah, I was actually hoping Feist would win. Call me a hater if you like.
Not much of a loss.
It’s pretty sad when people go online and post negative stuff about someone that died. Sure, she was troubled. But she was a person. If it was a family member or good friend of yours getting disrespected after they died, you’d probably want to punch them in the face… Just sayin. RIP Amy Winehouse.
Amy admitted that she had been diagnosed as manic depressive (bi-polar) but didn’t want to be medicated for it. She probably thought it would stifle her creativity. However, she self-medicated with drugs and alcohol to get away from the demons of mental illness. If she’d only listened to the doctors, she might be alive and still making music. Such a shame.
That’s very interesting. Britney also seems to have become bi-polar; she was probably self medicating during those difficult years. Now she’s most likely on the right medication, but her dancing/performance ability has gone down. Sad. But at least she’s alive and happy!
It’s sad that so many people could see this coming but couldn’t stop it from happening. Whether she OD’d on drugs or drank herself to death doesn’t matter. Alcohol is a drug too.
In my opinion, she was a On Hit Wonder, plain and simple. If she wasn’t into drugs, would have faded into obscurity and trivia.
Grammy voters love to honor latest fads and ‘wonders’, just like Nora Jones and Christopher Cross.
You’re kidding right?
Just because music isn’t popular doesn’t make it a fad. You’re probably still pissed Justin Bieber lost best new artist to Esperanza Spalding
This is so sad. She was incredibly talented, such a unique blend of pop and jazz, with that edge of dissonance. I’m so sad.