When Amy Winehouse's first and last name are spoken, a common thought passes through all listeners. It's something like remembering her for an overdose of narcotics or possibly alcohol. The thought that follows varies between seeing her as a waste of talent, grief over her death, or judgment of her character due to her addictions. It's a sad truth, however, that her drug and alcohol abuse defined her then and now. To many of her fans, family, co-stars and producers, she was considered much bigger than that. A woman known for her contralto voice and lively blend of rhythm, blues, soul and jazz. A singer who was passionate about her career even with her ongoing addictions throughout her later years. Amy Winehouse was born on September 14, 1983. in one of the world's greatest capitals of "musical creation", London. (“Amy Winehouse”) Winehouse lived with her older brother, her taxi driver father, and her pharmacist mother in their home in Southgate, London. ("Obituary: Amy Winehouse") Her divine musical talent came from her mother's side which included professional jazz musicians and singers. ("Biography of Amy Winehouse") This and her parents' musical tastes influenced both her interest in singing and syncopations, the blue notes of jazz. Her early passion for Frank Sinatra's voice developed when her father sang his songs to her, but her parents separated by the time she was nine. Her grandmother, however, encouraged her to hone her vocal talents and attend the Susi Earnshaw Theater School where she developed her vocal and tap skills. ("Obituary: Amy Winehouse") Winehouse developed a passion for her verbal instrument and began full-time training at the Sylvia Young Theater, but was soon expelled for...... middle of paper ..... . as so many others have argued. organizations as best she could. She was considered by many to be a self-centered party girl, but in reality, she was selfless. Amy Winehouse was in her own subgroup. Impeccably talented but incredibly self-destructive. She was known for being elegant, wild and erratic at the same time, always doing her own thing, always different and unique. His voice was pure and raw and she knew it. From her iconic beehive hairstyle to her bold black cat eyeliner, she was in a class of her own as she took the music industry by storm. A sad truth was that her addictions overshadowed who she truly was, a gem. Like many young artists, her drug and alcohol abuse created a shadow over who she was as a person. Many debaters raised a profound question before his death; “Would a “clean” Amy Winehouse still be Amy Winehouse? ??”