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Musicians and Friends Remember Amy Winehouse

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When news broke on Saturday that Amy Winehouse was dead, the reaction from the music community was immediate. Artists like Mark Ronson and Florence and the Machine’s Florence Welch grieved on Twitter, while singer Adele and comic Russell Brand posted heartfelt notes and remembrances on their websites. And the tributes continue to flow in the days since she was found in her London flat:

ADELE
“Amy paved the way for artists like me and made people excited about British music again whilst being fearlessly hilarious and blase about the whole thing. I don’t think she ever realized just how brilliant she was and how important she is, but that just makes her even more charming.” [Adele]

RUSSELL BRAND
“She wasn’t just some hapless wannabe, yet another pissed up nit who was never gonna make it, nor was she even a ten-a-penny-chanteuse enjoying her fifteen minutes. She was a fucking genius.” [Russell Brand]

MARK RONSON
“She was my musical soulmate & like a sister to me. This is one of the saddest days of my life.” [Mark Ronson’s Twitter]

LADY GAGA
“Amy changed pop music forever, I remember knowing there was hope, and feeling not alone because of her. She lived jazz, she lived the blues.” [Lady Gaga’s Twitter]

SAMANTHA RONSON
“I woke up to the news of Amy Winehouse’s passing and I’m actually surprised at how sad I am. It is always sad when someone passes, whether it be too soon or not, but this feels different, to me. Sadly, her death does not come as a shock to most due to her public struggles with addiction, but still it’s a shock to me. She almost seemed invincible to me, she always seemed to clean up just in time, until today.[Samantha Ronson’s Tumblr]

AMANDA PALMER
“There’s heaps of lessons to be learned from watching the downfalls, but there’s absolutely zero to be gained by declaring war on the dead.?Following the links, I looked at the recent footage of Amy Winehouse taken at shows a few weeks/months ago where she’s clearly in pain, clearly losing the plot.?Most disturbingly, not seeing the crowd. totally disconnected from the people who are there because they love her music, know every word to every song.?Her eyes can’t focus on the people who are there to love her. They’re cheering, They’re rooting for her. That’s the saddest part to me. That she can’t seem to see them.” [Amanda Palmer’s Blog]

BLUR’S ALEX JAMES
“Her death is sickeningly sad, and it could easily have happened to me…Even though it was done quite lightheartedly Blur were given a warning by our record company about not choking on your own vomit. Booze and drugs go hand in hand, not just with bands, but with young people too.” [The Sun, via NME]

SHARON JONES AND THE DAP-KINGS
“She was one of a kind and we were fortunate to have had the chance to make music with her. She was always gracious and a pleasure to work with in the studio and on the road. She brought a lot of people joy with her voice and her irreverent personality. It is a tragedy that she was taken from us so soon when she had much more music to give.” [Press Statement]

TONY BENNETT
“I am truly devastated that her exceptional talent has come to such an early end. She was a lovely and intelligent person and when we recorded together she gave a soulful and extraordinary performance.” [Us Weekly]

KELLY CLARKSON
“She was a beautiful and talented girl. I’m angry. What a waste of a gifted person. What a shame she saw no hope and continued living her life in that manor. I have been that low emotionally and mentally and that is overwhelming. I keep asking myself why some of us are spared and the others are made examples. I’m very angry and sad. I don’t know why it’s bothering me so much. Sometimes I think this job will be the death of us all, or at least the emotional death of us all.” [Kelly Clarkson’s Blog]

KIMYA DAWSON
“I was rooting for Amy Winehouse. What a voice. RIP…It was barely a month past my 26th birthday when I drank & drugged myself into a coma. Got out of ICU & spent a week w/ a friend’s mother…My friend’s mom was a nurse & she kept a close eye on me until I could go to inpatient. I did 3 weeks in a dual diagnosis facility in Tacoma…The inpatient program was for people with addictions coupled with mental illness. A week after my release was the first Moldy Peaches show…With every loss of a young artist and addict I cry and cry and so much gets stirred up inside of me. I was so fucking lucky that night…” [Kimya Dawson’s Twitter]

DIPLO
“Dammit!! amy winehouse was a legend. I feel bad today.. She had a voice like no one else in our generation . Goodbye amy” [Diplo’s Twitter]

FLORENCE WELCH
“Such an unbelievable loss. RIP Amy..xxx we love you.. Xx.” [Florence Welch’s Twitter]

JANELLE MONAE
“heart is heavy. My heart goes out 2 Amy Winehouse’s family, loved ones. Praying for their strength during this time.” [Janelle Monae’s Twitter]

HAYLEY WILLIAMS
“Just read about Amy Winehouse. Can’t believe it. She’ll never truly begone cause have you heard that voice? Rest In Peace Amy.” [Hayley Williams’ Twitter]

SWIZZ BEATZ
“Man I hate what happen to Amy so sad her music was a (sic) inspiration to all who love music! RIP” [Swizz Beatz’ Twitter]

UGK’S BUN B
“Think I speak for most when I say we were just waiting for Amy Winehouse to get on track and be the great talent she was born to be.” Bun B’s Twitter]

BLACK LIPS’ COLE ALEXANDER
“Never knew the effect she had in me till she was gone. I’m seriously crying right now omg… She was a living legend. Most legends you look back on and say that was legendary but she was a legend while living.” [Black Lips’ Twitter]

GALLOWS’ LEE BARRATT
“Makes me sick that the media who glorified Amy Winehouse’ addictions & and bad behaviour to sell copies are now running 12 page tributes… The British media are the worst at not praising talent & would rather kick someone when they’re down then actually try & help for the good. [Lee Barratt’s Twitter]