A life less ordinary

Whether she died because of drink, drugs or the eating disorders from which she had suffered, Winehouse’s death was far from glamorous. Her life may have been one of early success, which she merited, but it was also immensely troubled.

Her second album, Back to Black, was an eclectic masterpiece which drew on the history of jazz, funk, soul and rock and roll. Since its release in 2006, however, she faced addiction, self-harm and an assault trial among a myriad of personal problems.

Her later performances, sometimes memorable, sometimes shambolic, reminded the world of the dire consequences of drink and drug abuse. If certain aspects of the short and dazzling life led by this fragile star should not be sentimentalised, then others should not be forgotten. Her music was first-class and will be remembered well beyond the 27 years she took to make it.