People across the world have patiently waited for Amy Winehouse to return to the stage after a few personal setbacks.The five-time Grammy Award winner did indeed hit the stage – as a headliner for the 2009 St. Lucia Jazz Festival on Friday night, but the rain and some audience members were clearly not down with the program.
As Winehouse's set started, the heavens opened up and a tropical rainstorm turned the historic Pigeon Island National Park into a muddy mess.
Adorned in her trademark beehive, heavy mascara and a slinky electric blue minidress, the 'You Know I'm No Good' singer seemed to struggle to remember some of her best known recorded material, mumbled through a few verses and guzzled an unknown concoction while on stage.
Although audiences seemed to weather the storm, one thing became apparent: Winehouse didn't.
It was her first performance of 2009, and it left a lot to be desired. ...
One well-placed American celebrity journalist noted that the 25-year-old London native's set wasn't a far departure from her signature singing style, which heavily borrows from groundwork already laid by late jazz legend Billie Holiday and hip-hop soul superstar Lauryn Hill.
The British press, on the other hand, was not as diplomatic.
"Her erratic behavior seemed to be getting stranger and stranger as the 45-minute set went on," lambasted the popular UK tabloid, the Sun, in an article titled 'Amy Is Back on the Boos.'
"Stumbling and forgetting words, she looked confused, relying heavily on her band, especially backing singer Zalon Thompson, who had to single handily guide her to keep the show going."
"She kept ordering roadies to bring more drinks, despite appearing to be on the verge of collapse, clinging to her microphone stand for support," blasted The News of the World newspaper. "Then she began shouting at her backing singers for playing songs she'd never heard of -- until they reminded her she wrote the tracks herself."
Winehouse's die-hard fans encouraged her through the difficult set.
One thing everyone agreed upon was the shock, dismay and disappointment of the abruptly ended show; Winehouse walked off the stage, never returning to perform 'Rehab,' her best-selling song.
Her handlers went into overdrive the very next day.
Chris Goodman, her spokesperson, issued a statement saying that she abandoned her performance because heavy rain pounded the stage "causing a lighting rig to fail and disrupting sound equipment."
The rain didn't touch the stage, which was encased and covered with a hooded roof to shield tricky weather conditions. Winehouse even asked the audience whether "it was raining out there?"
Goodman said that Winehouse attempted to continue her performance despite the storm but was forced to stop. He says the singer was disappointed, as she'd hoped to repay people in St. Lucia for their hospitality.
Winehouse and her entourage have been staying on the island's exclusive and posh Cotton Bay Village property for several months.
Black Music Notes Mar. 19
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3/19/09: Kanye West / The Dream
Seven years ago this month, music heavyweights R. Kelly and Jay-Z released their highly anticipated collaborative album 'The Best of Both Worlds.' Now it appears Kanye West and The Dream are vying to work on a similar project. "Everybody is trying to talk us into it," Dream told 'MTV News' of his and West's friends and business associates. "It was first thought of by me. I was in Miami at the time, and I gave Kanye a call and said, 'The best thing would be for me and you to do an album.'... Let's take the best of both worlds and put it on a CD and try to make something we can sell to the consumers. He says he's with it. We're gonna try to make it happen." For now, you can catch Kanye on Dream's potential third single 'Walking on the Moon,' which is featured on his newly released album 'Love vs. Money.'
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3/19/09: The Miracles
Legendary Motown group The Miracles is the latest musical act to receive a Hollywood star on the world-renowned Walk of Fame. The 'Ooo Baby, Baby' singers were presented with the 2,381st star on March 20 by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO Leron Gubler. Motown founder Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder were also on hand as guest speakers for the ceremony.
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3/19/09: Chester Gregory
After several years of blowing audiences away on the 'Great White Way,' Broadway Star and R&B soul recording artist Chester Gregory is preparing the release of his debut album 'In Search of High Love.' The March 31 release finds the multitalented singer introducing himself as a thoughtful and sensitive songwriter blessed with a voice that captivates and demands attention. "While I've thoroughly enjoyed performing on Broadway -- eight shows a week and telling other people's amazing stories -- now it's time for me to share my own," explained Gregory. Highlights of 'In Search of High Love' include the poetic 'Clouds to the Ground,' the crossover-bound 'Say it's Over' and Jackie Wilson's soaring 1967 chart-topper 'Higher and Higher.'
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3/19/09: Sammy Davis Jr.
Altovise Davis, the widow of Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. , recently died at the age of 65. Two days prior to her death, she was admitted to Los Angeles'Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering a stroke. The couple, who met in 1967 on the set of the musical 'Golden Boy,' married in 1970 and remained together until Davis' untimely death of throat cancer in 1990.
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3/19/09: Earth, Wind & Fire
Iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Earth, Wind & Fire is set to hit the road this summer for a 30-city tour beginning June 5 in Orange Beach, AL. In addition to Maurice White and company gracing the stage will be pop-rock band Chicago, which will perform a full show before joining for a final set together, according to Billboard. The tour will conclude on Aug. 1 in Lake Tahoe, NV.
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3/19/09: Kim Burrell
Gospel vocalist Kim Burrell is on deck to release her first new album in nine years titled 'No Ways Tired.' The project's title is inspired by gospel pioneer James Cleveland's classic of the same name. In addition to covering Cleveland's hit, Burrell also tapped other timeless classics including 'My Faith Looks Up to Thee,' 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus,' 'O Lamb of God,' and 'I Surrender All.' There are also a few originals. 'No Ways Tired' is set to hit stores April 7 via Shanachie Records.
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3/19/09: Mike Jones
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3/19/09: Prince
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Kevin Winter, NCLR / Getty Images
Comments: (19)
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By: "DimePiece" on 5/11/2009 11:00AM
It looked like her HAIR got caught in the RAIN. Lookin a HOT AZZ MESS! What the HELL was she doin? It took her HOW MANY MINUTES TO START TO SING? She has a good voice but the girl looked like she was on SOMETHIN? I was like, the girl was pullin up her dress and grinding on the mic, I mean, come on. You didn't really hear her FULLY SING THE DAMN SONG. There were SO MANY DAMN PAUSES DURING THE SONG! In my opinion, girlfriend should have WAITED until she was READY to go out and perform and make a come back.
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By: Pianogirl on 5/12/2009 12:39AM
I like Amy...but tell me?...why is this lady still getting gigs if she can not perform....and strung out!
Give me a Gig....
She needs help...she is talented..but needs help...
I'm clean cut...no Drama...no Gigs....Oh well...
I think people like to see Drama...
www.Adaila.com
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By: Meg on 5/12/2009 3:21AM
While I don't think she was ready and I believe that she walked out as a result of 'using or boozing', being a sound tech, I could tell that the reason for the awkwardness in this video, why she took so long to start singing and why she never sang full out/ paused, was because it seemed that the monitors were not working. Even if the music is being fed to the house does not mean that the performers can hear themselves or each other by anymeans. I think that's why she kept looking back at the band... trying to work off visual rather than audio ques to finish out the song... but regardless she did look.... not sober.
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By: Nammie on 5/12/2009 10:23AM
Good try Meg-unfortunately, it does appear she was boozed out! The background singers seemed not to have a problem.....it is what it is....sorry Amy-they say that you should go to rehab and I say Yeah, yeah, yeah!
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By: Spank on 5/12/2009 12:33PM
AMY AMY AMY! Someone really needs to sit you down and set you straight. I understand the conditions in St. Lucia were not the best for your 2009 debut performance and we do the best we can. But with all the hype of late about you using drugs and booze, I would think you would put your best foot forward despite any obstacles. A great performer would make it work. I guess you are still in diva mode. You are better than this. Your recorded CDs seem to show that you are. I love your style of music but you are losing me with your abusive behaviors. You look gaunt and unkept and that is not good for a LAY A DEEE. Learn the lesson of those who came before you, Billie Holiday, Janis Joplin, and Whitney Houston, (she is alive but her career is dead). I don't want to ask WHY IS MY LITTLE BIRD DEAD.
Love ya,
P.S. Do something with that hair it looks a bird nest mess
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By: Tommy on 5/12/2009 6:48PM
Amy Boosehouse is life imitating art sadly we have seen this show before Jimmy Hendrix, Marylin Monroe, Elvis....Amy London is calling I think you better go to rehab and don't say NO NO NO!
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By: Angie on 5/12/2009 8:16PM
Amy you are a very talented young women.Only you can decided when you need to pull yourself, together and do what you do the best "singing".
Just keep the faith.
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By: "DimePiece" on 5/13/2009 1:09AM
Angie, it seems that you are a true die hard fan but can't face the reality of her not being fully recovered from her drug addictions? Yeah, the woman can sing but her HEALTH should be her #1 PRIORITY right now! Did you see that glass of liquor she had in her hand in the above pic? Did you see how bad her performance was? If people love and care for her so much, then they should support by returning her back to REHAB!
Girlfriend,is going down the wrong path and needs to get back on track before it's too late?
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By: sylvie on 5/15/2009 4:02AM
alcoholism is a very sad and terrible illness but there is a way out, when it's time...And what a way!!!Best wishes to amy.
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By: Jimi Brown on 5/13/2009 8:32AM
like to get me some of that white h*
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