Artists such as Winehouse are under two severe pressures: first, that of being so well known that you have no personal privacy; and second, the unrelenting scrutiny of your work (or comment on the lack of it), whether recorded or live performances. A further, usually disregarded, element of their lives is that maintaining your initial success is hard work. It’s not surprising that some people can’t cope - and once you are well known, handing in your notice on a Friday afternoon and slinking off to the pub isn’t an option.
But the more interesting question is: what about those who have survived? What is the secret of the old timers like, say, Keith Richards, Patti Smith, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop?
Recently I read Patti Smith’s autobiography, Just Kids. It’s a fascinating tale of a young woman coming to New York City, living rough, hooking up with Robert Mappelthorpe, working in bookshops, living in the Chelsea Hotel and finally being able to make a living as a poet and rock musician.
But there’s something of steel in it too. She always thought of herself as an artist. She worked hard. In some way, it seemed to me, she held herself back – not from the excesses of the day, but from letting those excesses get to her. She had a very strong relationship with her family, but then so did Winehouse. This isn’t about what other people can give you but about your own capacity to withstand stress. Smith’s book (and film, Dream of Life) made clear that artistic expression through poetry and music was the driving force in her life. That would give you a pretty strong survival instinct.
Unlike many, I don’t think Amy Winehouse was an outstandingly great singer or songwriter. I suspect that she may be remembered more for inspiring other young women with good voices to take up careers as solo performers. But the real tragedy is that, with discipline, she could have become great later in life.
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