Today another talented musician joined a horrible club of tragic musicians who died at the age of 27. Five-time Grammy winner Amy Winehouse was found dead in her apartment in London – such a waste of talent as Winehouse is tied with Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys and Allison Kraus for the second most Grammy wins by a female artist in a single night. (Beyonce holds the record for most wins by a female artist in a single night).
On June 21 I wrote about how after an embarrassing performance in Serbia, which was covered by a variety of media outlets, Winehouse cancelled the remaining dates of her European tour. I wrote about how she was becoming more like the Scott Weilands and Courtney Loves of the world, as she was better known for her nutjob antics, endless rehab stints and strange attire rather than for her voice. I said that she needed to get her act together because she had too much talent to be screwing it up with drugs. Although as of now it is unknown how she died there is a very good chance that drugs were involved.
So now Winehouse is a member of the worst club in music – a club of outstanding musicians that died at 27-years-old and way too soon:
Brian Jones – Rolling Stones founder and guitarist who drowned in a swimming pool.
Jimi Hendrix – One of the best guitarists of all time died because he choked on his own vomit after combining sleeping pills with wine.
Janis Joplin – Lead vocalist and songwriter for Big Brother and the Holding Company and one of the most interesting female voices of all time lost her life to a heroin overdose.
Jim Morrison – Lead singer and songwriter for the Doors whose cause of death is listed as heart failure, even though no autopsy was performed.
Kurt Cobain – Founding member, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of Nirvana committed suicide by shooting himself.
I’m in no position to tell anyone how to live but I am not interested in the music business losing any more talent. Musicians: if you can’t handle your booze and/or drugs put them down and walk away.
I think you can add Graham Parsons and Sid Vicious to the tragic 27’s. Amy Winehouse’s death is certainly no surprise, but still quite sad nonetheless. Talent and money are no guardian against addiciton. Sorry she joined a club today that no one wishes to be a member of.
Amy Winehouse – forever 27, so sad…
Had no idea about Graham Parsons and Sid Vicious – it’s interesting because I read several articles in which the writer compared Amy Winehouse to Sid Vicious. Of course I understood the comparison before but now, unfortunately, it’s even more accurate.
What a tragedy. My heart goes out to her dear parents.
Mom
It really is a shame – thank you for reading.
I find it sad and also disturbing how so many of these tragedies in the arts are tied to mental illnesses that can and should be be better treated! Clearly their passionate and depressing music was a shout out for help.
On a happier note- I’m so glad I now know how to comment on your page!
My mom’s friend once told her that there are more people out there who are functioning with mental illness than we can possibly imagine. If only these musicians had made the decision to get some help….
So glad you can comment now 🙂