Winehouse 'died alone in bed'

[AlabamaLibrul]

Source: Toronto Sun

The Rehab hitmaker was found dead at her north London home on Saturday afternoon at the age of 27. (. . .)

Goodman says, “At this stage no one knows how she died. There has been speculation that she had taken drugs and we can’t say anything until the autopsy has been done. There was no wild party, she died alone in bed.

“Amy was on her own at home apart from a security guard who we had appointed to help look after her over the past couple of years.

“She was in her bedroom after saying she wanted to sleep and when he went to wake her he found she wasn’t breathing. He called the emergency services straight away. He was very shocked.”

Read more: http://www.torontosun.com/2011/07/25/winehouse-died-alone-in-bed

[RandySF]

1. Honestly, what can I say?

She gave me the impression that she was determined to kill herself with her vices and reached the end that logic dictates.

[AEEHINRRTTUW]

48. Sadly you are right

Poor girl.

[No Elephants]

2. Drugs have taken too many talented people from us, one way or another.

[Rebubula]

3. So have cars\depression etc

The problem is not drugs - there are so many underlying issues (at least with Winehouse) that no one will understand.

To quote a Phish song (sorry - seems apropos) - You can heal the symptoms, but not effect the cause.



Drug abuse is just a symptom - if Winehouse did not have access to drugs, she would have found another way to be self destructive.

[ejpoeta]

6. I totally concur. Drugs are just a coping mechanism for something else going on. Some people drink

Some people are shopoholics. Some people are hoarders. We all have our issues. We use these things to help us feel better. And sometimes they consume us before we can even get a handle on it. I feel for her family. That has got to be the hardest thing for a family or friend. To watch and not be able to help or stop it.

[HighLowRoller87]

10. I agree.

Sad someone with the talent she has is gone. Crazy.

[pitohui]

32. name ONE person just ONE who died at 27 of being a shopoholic or a hoarder

for christ sake, we all have our issues is such bullshit

some coping issues are better than others, some coping issues actually drive a person to change their life for the better, drugs eat your head and in her case it ate her ability to perform and then it took her life

show me the shopping addiction that does that

drugs are truly destroying our society, i'm tired of white washing them

[ejpoeta]

42. you know, pointing out the reasons WHY people become addicted to things

LIKE alcohol and drugs and all these other things is the same thing is a symptom is a good point and a valid one and worth making. And there are people who destroy their lives financially and their families over many different kinds of addictions. It is self destructive behavior in any form. It is not white washing it to acknowledge the reasons for it either. These are serious issues.

Yes, drugs take people's lives. It's sad that it doesn't seem to get much notice either unless it is someone like Amy Winehouse or Kurt Cobain or someone famous when how many die every year with hardly a notice. I am sorry if it seemed like somehow I was pissing on that by mentioning the fact that there is some thing behind it other than just drugs that caused their demise. Some thing which hurts people in many different ways and when it catches them in the snare of drugs it is hard to come back from.

[Sivafae]

54. "During Recession, Suicide Rate Is Up" (source in message)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/15/recession-suicide_n_849632.html

[Ken Burch]

16. We'll never know for sure what happened.

I just wish Amy had liked herself a bit more. Sometimes, the most talented people have the least faith in themselves.

May her self-tortured soul be finally at peace.

[BadtotheboneBob]

15. Cynically, I say...

... drugs/alcohol have taken too many every-day, non-famous people, too. This sort of publicity is the equivalent of media coverage (frenzy) of a 'missing white girl' ala Natalee Holloway. Winehouse's death, while tragic, is no more important, or more tragic, than any other addict's death. It's just more 'distressing'... Because... She was a Star!

[loyalsister]

28. As someone who has lost a family member that way

I say thanks. He was living on the streets and died from neumonia. Sadly family couldn't save him and had to let him go. Lying, stealing, abusiveness.... all the things that make the disease so socially intolerable.

It's the tragic state that thousands of families painfully endure and face.

I feel for her family and wish other families had better access to treatments. Not many can afford Dr. Drew's service for famous addicts.

[BadtotheboneBob]

46. You're welcome...

... I had a cousin that died from medical complications due to his prolonged use of 'crack'. He did get clean, but his heart was so damaged that he died an early death from his use as determined by autopsy. My condolences to you and your family.

[SOS]

21. Please don't leave out the alcohol

At her last concert in Serbia she was clearly drunk.

A number of artists associated with the "drug scene" actually drank themselves to death.
Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Brian Jones all died of booze.

[Taverner]

27. I thought Brian Jones was killed by his pool guy?

[pitohui]

33. well he died of drowning, because he was severely impaired

not sure how that's the pool guy's fault, maybe if he "skimmed" the pool every 20 seconds he would have been there to stop the tragedy???

[SOS]

38. We'll probably never know for sure

But there were no drugs in Jones blood at the time of death.
Alcohol level was at the equivalent of two quarts of beer.
His liver showed severe degeneration from alcohol abuse.

There was an "amphetamine-like" substance in his urine, but not actual speed.

Whether Frank Thorogood actually killed him or not will probably remain an open question forever.

[loyalsister]

29. No doubt

Alcohol dominates that mixed bag of fatal substances.

[SOS]

51. British newspapers (take with grain of salt)

are now reporting that friends of Amy Winehouse say she was on a "weeks long" drinking binge prior to her death.

It is troubling that the vicious, destructive power of alcohol is so often minimized in these cases.

[xchrom]

4. Very sad. Nt

[xchrom]

5. The Last Days of Amy Winehouse

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2011/07/last-days-amy-winehouse/40335/

That Amy Winehouse was a beloved musician was beyond doubt after her death was announced yesterday, despite her troubled personal life and addictions. Fans flocked to her house in London after the announcement, laying flowers, and paid tribute at one of past favorite pubs, the Telegraph reports. The New York Times echoed the sentiment of many in their obituary, writing that:

Ms. Winehouse was no manufactured pop commodity. She was a genuine musician, among the very small handful of British singers whose version of American soul music had a gutsiness and flair far beyond what could be studied.

Following her death, many reports have come in of the last few days of her short life. Given Winehouse's battle with substance abuse, many believe, and it was initially suggested, that an overdose caused the death of the 27-year-old musician. Winehouse had canceled a European tour following a troubled stage performance last month, where she "stumbled across the stage, slurred through her songs, and threw a shoe into the crowd." But just a few days before her death, on July 20, she gave her last public appearance at the iTunes Festival, where she appeared on stage to help promote her protégé and goddaughter Dionne Bromfield’s new album. Video of her final performance is below.

[NYC_SKP]

14. Thanks for mentioning God-daughter Dionne Bromfield, she's got a lot of talent...

And, it could be argued, a bit of Amy's style and tone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hda2MlISmS8

[rocktivity]

19. "Ms. Winehouse was no manufactured pop commodity. She was a genuine musician..."

She most certainly WAS a manufactured pop commodity, right down to her Cleopatra mascara and big wigs. Maybe her problem was people didn't love her AS a genuine musician. Wasn't that what the Hannah Montana was all about?

:headbang:
rocktivity

[NICO9000]

22. So says the guy with the Bon Jovi avatar...

:eyes:

[rocktivity]

39. I rest my case.

:headbang:
rocktivity

[Bragi]

23. Sorry, that's a dumb comment

Anyone capable of listening could tell she was as genuine a musician as you're ever going to find. She had a great voice, but mostly she had a sense of lyric and melody that was astonishing.

I am sad for her family and friends. As a huge fan, I regret very much that we aren't ever going to know where she might have taken us musically in future years.

[OrwellwasRight]

30. Sorry, that's a dumb comment too.

"Anyone capable of listening could tell she was as genuine a musician as you're ever going to find. She had a great voice, but mostly she had a sense of lyric and melody that was astonishing."

Uh, I'm capable of listening, and I found her music uninteresting and unetertaining. As far as female singers go, I think she had neither the gravitas of Joni Mitchell or Carole King nor the vocal chops of Kate Bush or Pat Benatar.

Have we gone past the point of being allowed to have our own musical interests and tastes? Or must we agree that someone who is drunk all the time and wears really bad make-up is a great talent simply because they are "challenging our social norms"? Puh-leeze. I didn't buy into the "she's so deep and talented" meme when she was alive, and I won't now.

However, that is not to say I don't respect your decision to think she's all that and a bag of chips. I just don't feel other DUers should be bullied into having a high opinion of her. I don't. Nor will I force on you my opinion that Rhett Miller is a musical genius. I think it is obvious to all who listen (ha!), but I also respect diversity of opinion and taste.

[Bragi]

35. I think I might agree

"I also respect diversity of opinion and taste."

But I still think the other guys comment (re: AW as a manufactured pop-star) was dumb. Yours isn't.

[OrwellwasRight]

37. Fair enough. nt

[unionworks]

52. OMG

Pat Benatar vs. Amy Winehouse - get a hearing aid junior. HAHAHA

[Taverner]

25. She never used autotune, she was not a pop princess, her style was all her own

The only thing you could say was "manufactured" was her backup band, which was as talented as her

[catzies]

47. Depends on what the meaning of "manufactured pop commodity" is, forgive me.

I thnk there is a "manufactured pop commodity industrial complex" inasmuch as the ravenous machine must be fed. In other words, your example (Hannah Montana) was created merely to be a flavor-of-the-month and will no doubt vanish once the money for it dries up.

But Amy was "manufactured" because the machine doesn't like raw product.

[MinneapolisMatt]

7. She also had severe eating disorder (s)

I wouldn't be surprised if her heart gave out. :(

[Alameda]

8. true, her body just gave out from all the stress it took.

[liberal N proud]

9. This is news on Monday?

The original statement on Saturday was that she was found. If someone found her dead, it would indicate she was alone in bead, dead.

[muriel_volestrangler]

11. Given the speculation from UK tabloids referred to in the link from #5

it does paint a different picture.

[cutlassmama]

12. If one has to go that's the best way, peacefully in your sleep, at least she went that way.

[unionworks]

13. I love DU

And threads like this are the reason. After reading all the hateful comments on my local forum, it was a breath of fresh air to come here and read some intelligent, compassionate responses.:grouphug:

[WingDinger]

17. I hate how it is all her failing. How convenient. As she said, I am a musician.

The papparazi, and trappings of getting your music, or anything else sold, was unwanted, and abhorred. The system of human worship we set up to first idolize, then find fault, then reject, is a killer. Our glitz/ intellectual paucity culture, is bankrupt, and sure to ruin the lives of most seeking fame. Or falling over it.

[Taverner]

26. I remember her saying in some interview

That everything, her world, her life, it was all swirling around her so fast and she could only watch things happen...

:cry:

[closeupready]

18. Seriously, it's sad, but you know, she had EVERYTHING, and threw it away.

Such a waste.

Amy, Amy, rest in peace, you troubled soul. :(

[hamsterjill]

20. I'm sorry to see a young person die.

To me, it's just tragic.

[Taverner]

24. Most addicts who die do...

Layne Staley died alone and in bed, somewhat of a recluse in his final years

Most addicts are incredibly lonely people

[dipsydoodle]

31. Amy Winehouse post-mortem takes place

No cause of death has been given, while an inquest was opened and adjourned until 26 October. Results of further toxicology tests could take four weeks.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14272032

[Courtesy Flush]

34. I've known two people to die from addiction in recent years.

It bothers me to see people judging Amy, and making jokes about her death. Things just aren't as black and white as people want them to be. There are many dear, dear people who are in the grip of addiction. Yes, there are some terrible people too, but many really good ones.

[Kingofalldems]

36. Is it true she only recorded 20 songs?

[dipsydoodle]

40. About that

This is so tragic - she had a lifetime of giving others pleasure from her singing ahead of her. She was the closest there's ever been to Billie in the way she sung behind the music in a restricted vocal range - Billie's was less than an octave.

RIP young Lady.

[girl gone mad]

43. She recorded additional songs that are unreleased.

I think there is more than enough material for another album, though it may not be up to her perfectionist standards (at least when it came to studio work).

[dipsydoodle]

41. Family plan private funeral for Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse's funeral will take place on Tuesday attended by just family and friends, a spokesman for her family has said.

A post-mortem examination into her death took place on Monday.

No cause of death has been given, while an inquest was opened and adjourned until 26 October. Results of further toxicology tests could take four weeks.

>

The spokesman would not reveal any details about the location or time of the funeral.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14285327

[tabasco]

44. I only listened to her music once.

I was flipping channels and they were playing one of her shows.

I liked her singing quite a bit and listened to the remainder.

It's frightening how people automatically start screeching DRUGS! when this happens. (brainwashed)

Anorexia and booze probably had more to do with it.

[unionworks]

45. like many olthers

...I paid little attentin to Amy till she joined the 27 club. After looking at the beautiful photo posted on her official websikte, I got good and trashed and punched her up on youtube for a listen.. And I got the message - "'I suffered and died to give you this beautiful music. Can you spare 10 minutes now to listen, ahole"? Goodnight, Amy. :-(

[Supply Side Jesus]

49. Accidental Overdose....

that's what I would bet. Just like Harvey Pekar, Heath Ledger and soooo many others. Prescription Meds abuse is truly an epidemic

[astral]

50. She was a real gifted artist, and an unpretentious one.

I pay no attention to the comings and goings of today's young singers, as I can't stand most of the 'new' sounds and the grunting and wailing that passes for melody.

Therefore, I had never heard Amy Winehouse sing, until she was gone, then out of curiousity I clicked on a link. And it was her sitting on that couch thin as a rail, her hair a total nightmare, her heavy eyeshadow and tatoos, and I listened to her song, it was "Valerie," and then another and another . . . and in very short order I too was broken-hearted that she'd died.

Really, if someone doesn't appreciate this kind of music, that's okay. I don't have the patience to listen to much classical, either. But there is no one who LIKES real down to earth blues / jazz music who could doubt her very real talent.

She had a gift, she was a gift. People who don't appreciate it don't have to spit on it.

I know that addiction can either result in sobriety or it can result in death.

And it's a true flip of the coin which one you get, no matter how badly you want it. It is a disease not a choice.

Maybe she wanted to go. Maybe the cold vibration of this earth was too much for her. I pray she transcended to a better place.

[unionworks]

53. thank you

It hurts less when a friend understands and shares the pain

[senseandsensibility]

55. I saw those videos with her sitting on a couch, too.

I believe they were her first appearance in the U. S. in 2004. She would have been twenty three. Like you, I'd never heard her. You described her talent very well, and I'm glad I got to hear her in that pared down, very real setting with just a guitarist to accompany her.