Three days ago, Amy Winehouse appeared onstage at the iTunes Festival in London with her goddaughter, singer Dionne Bromfield.
In the video, which was shot by an audience member, Winehouse appeared healthy, chewing gum and dancing in jeans as Bromfield sang “Mama Said.”
It’s the last known public appearance made by Winehouse, who died earlier today at the age of 27.
[via People]
Between July 3, 1969 and October 4, 1970, three very famous musicians died at the age of 27. Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin were the founding members of what is known as The 27 Club. Since the club was formed, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain and most recently, Amy Winehouse, have joined.
While these six artists are arguably the most famous musicians to die at the age of 27, there have been many other notable musicians who have also checked out in various ways at the same age.
Some call The 27 Club series of deaths a curse because it is a statistical anomaly. There has been controversy surrounding each of them, although that’s pretty normal with any untimely celebrity death. Adding some fuel to the curse theory is the coincidence that Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain were all apparently in possession of white cigarette lighters when they died.
While there may not be anything supernatural involved in The 27 Club, these deaths represent tragic losses of talented musicians all too soon. Here is a look back at the most famous members of this curious club.
As multiple sources are now confirming, Amy Winehouse, 27, has died. She was found in her London home at about 4pm local time.
While not unexpected — she’s famously battled a severe substance abuse problem for years — the news is still incredibly sad. In an age of the manufactured pop star, Winehouse was a truly gifted singer and songwriter.
Her 2007 Grammy-winning break-through album, “Back to Black,” showcased a 60s Phil Spector-like vibe, and Winehouse herself maintained the image with a signature beehive hairdo and heavy black eyeliner, set off by an array of thoroughly modern tattoos.
At some point, though, it all went off the rails. Winehouse’s drug of choice was reported to be crack cocaine, and there are loads of unflattering photos of her looking alarmingly thin with the telltale missing teeth and self-inflicted wounds on her face.
Amy Winehouse Has Died
Sky News is reporting singer (and longtime substance abuser) Amy Winehouse, 27, has been found dead in her London home.
More details on Amy Winehouse’s death as they emerge …
UPDATE: The Daily Mail reports she was found dead at about 4pm local time.
TMZ confirms:
A press release from the Metropolitan Police, which doesn’t specifically name Winehouse, says:
“Police were called by London Ambulance Service to an address in Camden Square NW1 shortly before 16.05hrs today, Saturday 23 July, following reports of a woman found deceased.
On arrival officers found the body of a 27-year-old female who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Enquiries continue into the circumstances of the death. At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained.“
Amy Winehouse has axed the remaining dates on her scheduled summer tour of Europe following a disastrous comeback performance in Serbia over weekend, during which the five-time Grammy winner was booed and jeered as she wandered around stage in a drunken stupor.