When the singer Amy Winehouse is mentioned the conversation often gravitates toward her tragic battle with addiction. However, her profound impact on the music industry is just as significant, if not more so. Let’s explore Amy Winehouse’s background and her monumental contributions to music, which deserve to be the focal point of her legacy.
A Musical Upbringing
Amy was born into a family deeply entrenched in jazz. Her parents, connected to professional jazz musicians, nurtured her artistic talents from a young age. Attending art schools, she took lessons in acting, singing, and dancing. Though initially not a standout singer, she honed a jazzy vocal style that eventually landed her a spot in the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. She also learned to play the guitar and began writing her own music, drawing influences from jazz legends like Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan Thelonious Monk and Dinah Washington. While Amy’s foundation was in jazz, her musical tastes were eclectic. She embraced various genres, especially those with black roots such as soul, gospel, R&B, hip-hop, and reggae. This wide-ranging influence was a reflection of the vibrant London music scene of the 90s.
Breaking Through with “Frank”
Amy’s debut album, Frank, released in 2003, showcased her unique blend of neo-soul, R&B, and jazz. The album, named after Frank Sinatra, was produced by notable figures like Salaam Remi and Commissioner Gordon. Despite her later criticism of the album’s creative control, Frank was well-received, earning critical acclaim and commercial success over time. Also the album was part of a new “trend” with the labels pushing jazz-inspired records with names such as Norah Jones, Michael Bublé, Joss Stone Katie Melua, and Jamie Cullum.
“Back to Black”: A Defining Moment
Amy’s second album, Back to Black, released in 2006, catapulted her into the pop mainstream. Produced by Mark Ronson and featuring the backing of Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, this album was a mix of jazz, soul (mostly Motown girlgroups), R&B, pop, and even reggae and ska. The album’s dark, introspective lyrics paired with infectious melodies created an instant classic, earning five Grammy Awards and becoming the best-selling album of 2006.
Amy’s Influence and Legacy
Amy’s success with Back to Black sparked a resurgence of interest in soul-influenced music, which lead to a new generation of pop soul English artists like Adele, Duffy, Florence + The Machine, Paloma Faith, Estelle, Leona Lewis and many other names. This British soul wave is also referred as the beginning of the Third British Invasion.
In the early 2010s, American soul-influenced singers would also join the Britains. Names like Sam Smith, Ellie Golding, and Emeli Sandé shared the spotlight with Janelle Monáe, Bruno Mars, Charlie Puth, Megan Trainor, and Ariana Grande.
While it’s difficult to quantify the extension of the impact, it’s clear that Amy Winehouse played a pivotal role in bringing jazz and soul back into mainstream music during the mid-2000s. Together with Adele’s 21, Back to Black is the best selling pop soul album of the 21th Century. Until today, Amy’s legacy continues to inspire new generations of musicians who admire her authentic artistic vision and unique sound.
