When reports surfaced that British singer Amy Winehouse had died, it didn't take long before stories circulated comparing her death at 27 to iconic musicians who also died at the same age such as, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Kurt Cobain.
Titles like, "Amy Joins the 27 Club: Who Are the Other Members", "Winehouse just latest to musician to die at 27" which permeate the web seem to trivialize the overall seriousness of the situation and fail at the opportunity to go deeper into who the artist was besides the drug-induced antics and rumors that circulated her, in her last years.
We're all just ordinary people
When an artist has talent it becomes hard for some of us to understand why they choose the path of drugs. When an artist has millions, it becomes hard for us on the outside to really understand why they would choose to water down their reputation with pills, crack, or alcohol. The reality may be a tough pill for some to swallow, so here goes: they're humans, they just have a talent they have been able to make money off of. Yes, some artists are extraordinary and unbelievably talented, but nearly everyone has met someone who is extraordinary in their lives, they just may not be famous.
We shouldn't be surprised when celebrities have "normal people problems", and addictions. We wouldn't make fun of the drug addict down the street who struggles with an addition, or an alcoholic in our family, yet when it comes to celebrities it's open season.
Why do some artists not get the chance to truly prove their artistry?
Amy Winehouse was a talented vocalist, bellowing out soulful tunes who quickly moved on the industry radar after her 2003. Her addiction quickly overshadowed her talent and started to sabotage attempts for her to revive her career.
It's easy to celebrate someone more after death than we did while they were alive. There's a reason why today Winehouse's Back to Black moved to the number one spot on iTunes. Some may have been dear fans, while others may want to celebrate the music of a woman whose troubles prevented her from being the star she could have been, and others who never listened to her music may want to experience the music that garnered her so many fans.
Unfortunately, like many artists before her, we tend to nurture their legacy after they're gone and ridicule them while they're alive if they stray from perfection. Now, we'll retire the unflattering, embarrassing photos snapped of Winehouse to be placed on the biggest gossip sites, and replace them with the classier photos of her better days. That's the way the story goes.
As of yet, the cause of death has not been released as a post-mortem examination will be performed today.
While it is truly devastating to lose a talented soul at such a young age, it is better to celebrate the lives of the living talented people who are still with us. Perhaps this is the lesson we learn from this. Life should never be taken for granted or overlooked but unfortunately we never seem to truly realize what we have until it's gone. Then we look back and appreciate all we once had and again prolong the cycle of neglecting what we have that's still alive. Much like addiction, it is a vicious cycle that eventually catches up with us.
ReplyDelete