Amy Winehouse was one of the U.K.’s flagship vocalists during the 2000s. While the British press and tabloids seemed to focus on her rowdy behavior and tragic end, fans and critics alike embraced her rugged charm, brash sense of humor, and distinctively soulful and jazzy vocals. Her platinum-selling, Mercury Prize-nominated album Frank (2003) elicited comparisons ranging from Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan to Macy Gray and Lauryn Hill, introducing her unmistakable voice and deeply personal songwriting to the masses.
However, it wasn’t until 2006 that Winehouse truly landed on the global stage with her sophomore full-length, Back to Black. Teamed with producer Mark Ronson, she crafted a nostalgic, throwback sound heard on hit singles “Rehab” and “You Know I’m No Good.” One of the best-selling albums in U.K. history, the set earned Winehouse a record-making five Grammy Awards in 2008. The album would be her last; she passed away in London on July 23, 2011, at the age of 27.
