As the title of her debut album suggests, Amy Winehouse was known for her ‘frank’ personality and lyrics – as well as her soulful jazz sound and incredibly iconic style.
And she continues to have an impact on people even 14 years after her tragic passing.
Next month her band will bring her memory and music alive with a show at the Grand Opera House in York.
Ahead of the gig we spoke to Adeleye Omatayo, who worked with Amy as a vocalist and backing dancer.
He’s a member of The Amy Winehouse Band coming to York on Saturday, 29 November.
“It was a lot of fun, music was never a chore,” Adeleye said of working with Amy. And she was a one-off…
“She was feisty, never suffered fools. She said what was on her mind,” he said.
“She loved way too hard, with a very hard exterior but very soft and really kind, really caring, witty, blunt and very funny… very funny.”
The Amy Winehouse Band features her original musicians, fronted by Brontë Shande, a singer chosen by Amy’s close friend, Dale Davis.
They will showcase all of Amy’s biggest hits from her debut album, Frank, and Grammy-award winning album, Back to Black.
Band members featured in this show were present in multiple iconic moments, including the filming of both the Rehab and Back to Black music videos.
Amy’s legacy not only lives on through her music, but through the inspiring work done by the Amy Winehouse Foundation.
A spokesperson said: “Today the Amy Winehouse Foundation helps thousands of young people to feel supported and informed, so that they are better able to manage their emotional wellbeing and make informed choices around things that can affect their lives.”
Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that there has been “another rise in drug-related, marking the continuation of a tragic trend that has seen deaths increase every year since 2012”.
Similarly to The Amy Winehouse Foundation, Change Grow Live in York provides services for young people and adults looking for support during recovery.
Chief executive at Change Grow Live Mark Moody said: “At Change Grow Live we remain focused on seeing more people sooner and will continue to do everything we can to prevent further deaths, but drug use doesn’t happen in isolation.
“It’s linked to housing instability, poverty, poor mental health, and an overwhelmed justice system.”
If you or someone you know are struggling with substance abuse, you can contact Change Grow Live for support here.
Find out more about The Amy Winehouse Band in York on the Grand Opera House website.
