OJ&B Remembers Amy Winehouse

I loved Amy Winehouse from the second that I heard her voice back in 2007. I was working at KTSW 89.9 and my friend Kristen who was the music director at the time was playing Amy while I was helping to organize the music closet. I remember asking who's album she was playing and Kristin simply said, "Amy Winehouse." I told her I had to buy it ASAP!

That same year Amy went to SXSW in Austin, Texas and she left everyone in awe. The whole festival was buzzing about Amy Winehouse and her soulful retro voice. The next thing I knew Amy's hit song "Rehab" was all over the radio and it seemed like people could not get enough of Amy. Soon after she started soaring to the top, Amy's personal problems seemed to be the topic of all of the entertainment news outlets. We would often discuss Amy on OJ&B when it was a radio morning show and I ALWAYS hoped that she could pull it together.

Amy's voice was rare and haunting in a good way. She could cut right through you with her retro sound that seemed like she traveled by time machine to from the 1960's and came to grace us with the golden sound of soul. Her album "Back to Black" was one of my favorite albums to blast in my car and have one of my pretend concerts to while I would drive around town. Amy's song "Valerie" has to be my favorite song of hers. It speaks to me in all kinds of ways and my friend Julia and I have a little dance that we do when it comes on. "My Tears Cry On Their Own" is my favorite song from "Back to Black" but there is nothing like listening to "Me and Mr. Jones."

You all know that I love everything retro and I LOVE dressing like the late 50's and early 60's. Amy's beehive always made me so happy!! I think that more people should rock a beehive all the time.

Unfortunately Amy is now a member of the 27 Club. This club is for famous musicians that have all died at age 27. It includes legends like Janis Jopin, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain. All of these musicians changed the face of the music industry and spoke to millions of people.

When I think of Amy, I will think of what her music meant to me and her huge beehive. I will think of her songs and of her voice. Thanks Amy for giving us some amazing music that will live on forever.

I will leave you with a few videos of some of my favorite Amy Winehouse songs. These live performances show just what a talent and gem she truly was.

Amy Winehouse singing Me and Mr. Jones live with just one guitar. BREATHTAKING!:


Amy does an acoustic performance of one of my top 100 favorite songs "Valerie":

Amy Winehouse in 2007 performing "Rehab" Live at the Levi's/Fader Fort at SXSW in Austin, Texas