Amy Winehouse was born to a Jewish family in Southgate London on 14 September 1983 at 10:25 pm (Source: Frank Clifford quotes Winehouse’s mother to a mutual friend of astrologer Margaret Zelinski. RR: A). She began singing and playing the guitar shortly before her first Saturn opposition. By the age of 20, she had been signed to Simon Fuller’s record company and the rest, as we like to say, is history. She stormed into our cultural consciousness with “Valerie” and “Rehab”. Beehive blazing, she was a jazzy cross between Sarah Vaughan and Morticia from the Addams Family.
Astrologically, Amy was a Mercurial character: her ascendant was in Gemini with its ruler in Virgo as well as a Mars-Venus, in Leo, in conjunction in the 3rd house. Her career and public image were often described as “dichotomous” a handy synonym for Mercurial influences. However, the majority of planets are in the northern hemisphere, countering Mercury’s need to communicate and receive information openly. What we saw in Amy’s performances were pure, gut wrenching, honest emotions-when she sang about not wanting to go to rehab, she wasn’t kidding.
Unusually, Amy’s chart is marked by five pairs of conjunctions: Venus and Mars in Leo, Sun and Mercury in Virgo, Saturn in Scorpio/Pluto in Libra, Jupiter and Uranus in Sagittarius and Neptune in Sagittarius/Moon in Capricorn. With the exception of Chiron in the 12th, it would almost appear that the planets have lost their autonomy and instead, need to function as couples. This theme on relationships, particularly dysfunctional ones, features prominently in Amy’s music and is reflected in her sexually explicit lyrics, for example in “Tears Dry on Their Own”.
Venus and Mars in conjunction in Leo typically like to play their relationship dramas out in public and are particularly adept at getting everyone to notice their troubles. Located in the third house, this conjunction was perhaps responsible for the attention drawn to Amy’s striking, deep contralto voice, diction and lyrics–consciously or unconsciously-telling the tales of complications in love. For an example, look no further than the lyrics for “Back to Black”.
The Venus-Mars conjunction in Leo makes a loose trine to the disassociate Moon/Neptune conjunction. Music, particularly Jazz, was deeply embedded in Amy’s life and her grandmother had even been engaged to Ronnie Scott. No one with Moon conjunct Neptune would take well to keeping one’s feet on terra firma. As nothing Leo energy does is quiet or subtle, we got the drunken lion’s roar with every snap shot of the paparazzi. For months, she had been tottering on the nebulous edge of reality, every moment of undignified escapism chronicled in the tabloids, held up for ridicule via sloppy double entendre, making less hedonistic heads shake in wonder. As she publicly fell apart earlier in 2011, transit Pluto was beating on the threshold of the Moon-Neptune aspect, setting off the rapid destruction of this aspect. Her Progressed Moon’s presence only seemed to signal sobriety was not in sight. And in the seventh house, this aspect manifested in her choice of men, none of whom were in any position to be a positive role model to sobriety.
Transit Pluto was conjunct her descendant when her debut album “Frank” was released on 20 October 2003 and had transited her Neptune/Moon conjunction 3 years later when Back to Black was released. Additionally, when “Back to Black” was released, transit Saturn was conjunction Venus/Mars whilst transit Jupiter was square to it. Saturn represses and on Venus/Mars can miniaturize the exuberant charm of the conjunction whilst focusing the competitive edge. Thelyrics of “You Know I’m No Good” tell the tale.
Jupiter, however, can make a big deal out of very little. From the same album, another award winning song making a rather grand proclamation on the troubles of having a Venus/Mars conjunction in Leo with a Saturn transit is the lyrical “Love is a Losing Game”.
Although Amy continued to gain recognition for her talents in 2007, 2008 was a particularly big year for her, even winning her a place in the Guinness Book of World Records (2009) for the most Grammies won by a British female act. In May 2008, transit Neptune opposed Amy’s Venus/Mars conjunction. Neptune has the rather nifty feature of reflecting distorted images. A sculpture of Amy, entitled Excess, appeared in London’s Mall Galleries featuring a miniature of her covered with what appeared to be tiny pills (while one outstretched hand held a glass), lying on top of a cracked champagne bottle, with a pool of spilled liquid underneath. Another piece entitled “Celebrity 1” also appeared at the same exhibit. On 23 July, exactly three years before her death, her wax sculpture went on display at Madame Tussaud’s. Later that same year, a sculpture by Marco Perego, entitled “The Only Good Rock Star Is a Dead Rock Star”, was scheduled to go on display in New York’s Half Gallery on 14 November 2008. The sale price for the sculpture is listed at US $100,000. Perego said of the sculpture: “Rock stars are the sacrificial animals of society.” Winehouse’s spokesperson said “It’s a funny kind of tribute. The artist seems in thrall to a tabloid persona that is not the real Amy. People often use her image to sell their work.”
The progressed planets during this time formed a harsh grand cross between progressed Jupiter/Uranus/Moon opposite Chiron, both square to progressed Venus/Mars on the IC. Even without detailed delineation, this configuration would challenge even the most stable of personalities-imagine being feted as the brightest young British talent in years only to be portrayed as a hopeless junky! On top of this, Chiron was in trine to Mercury, thus bringing the news of rapidly declining health: at the age of 25, she was diagnosed with emphysema.
Natal Pluto and Saturn, in disassociate conjunction (Pluto in Libra, Saturn in Scorpio) in the fifth house, formed the apex of a magic triangle configuration, also very much like the one prominent in the charts featured in the other members of the “Club of 27”. Any configuration of “easy” aspects produces an electrifying zing of never ending energy. Planets caught up in the configuration by transit or progression only serve as food to be consumed by the raging gods. A Saturn-Pluto conjunction as a focus for this configuration could have acted like a shield for Amy’s emotional turbulence. The need to party away the nerves of Neptune-Moon but yet have all the attention the Venus-Mars conjunction in Leo craves could have led to a much faster burn out had it not been for the steely reserve of Amy’s Pluto-Saturn conjunction. Without this aspect, in the fifth house, performing live may not have been possible for a vulnerable personality like her’s. No matter how much “talent” a person possesses, without nerves of steel (naturally occurring or otherwise), a performer is impotent on stage. And Amy performed live over and over and over again.
Generally speaking, squares usually add “grit” to a chart. They make a character, forcing it to do something to overcome limitations rather than passively wait for answers to arrive like a bolt from the blue. Sadly, Amy’s Sun-Mercury conjunction in 4th in Virgo needed emotional and mental precision as a way to express the anguish of living in an imperfect world. In a career where alcohol, fame and drugs are so readily available, Amy Winehouse fell into the abyss.
FAQs
What were the last words of Amy Winehouse? ›
It is believed that the artist's last words were: “I don't want to die.” These words were uttered after a long period of abstinence from alcohol when Dr. Romete visited her the night before she died.
What was the biggest Amy Winehouse hit? ›1. 'Back to Black'
What is the tragic story of Amy Winehouse? ›Amy died of alcohol poisoning at the mere age of 27 after succumbing to global criticism and fighting her inner demons. So, when we stumbled upon a podcast called The C-Word on Luminary which has two episodes dedicated just for her, we realized that she was more than just a damsel in distress.
What was Amy Winehouse suffering with? ›And as her dependencies worsened, it became increasingly clear that Winehouse had bipolar disorder. This disease and addiction often go hand-in-hand for a multitude of reasons.
What did Amy Winehouse say before she died? ›In the Twitter age, “famous last words” aren't what they used to be. Amy Winehouse's final message to her public, tweeted two nights before her death, was … “oinka oinka oinka why you awake.” Not quite the tragic harbinger of impending doom that might have served to romanticize the 27-year-old singer's demise.
What did Amy Winehouse confess? ›Describing Amy's demeanour on the night before she died, Dr. Romete said said the singer appeared "calm and somewhat guilty" and was "tipsy" but "able to hold a conversation". She said Amy confessed that she'd started drinking again on July 20 - just three days before her death.
How many drinks did Amy Winehouse have when she died? ›When she died, Winehouse's blood-alcohol level was more than five times Britain's drunk-driving limit. She had 416 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood; the legal limit in Britain is 80 mg. According to pathologist Sulhail Baithun, levels of 350 mg or more can lead to breathing stoppages and send someone into a coma.
Who has Amy Winehouse been compared to? ›- Christina Aguilera.
- Lily Allen.
- Macy Gray.
- Nelly Furtado.
- Nikka Costa.
- Sunshine Anderson.
- Jamie Cullum.
- Jenny Dee & the Deelinquents.
Despite dozens of awards and her second album winning the top spot in the UK charts in 2006, Amy Winehouse never had a number one single. 6. Hold on to your hats: Backstreet Boys reached number 2 with Quit Playing Games (With My Heart) and never got higher with any other single in the UK or US. 7.
Why did Amy Winehouse self destruct? ›Amy said soon after: “I was really depressed. I was in love with someone and it fell through. A lot of it was to do with bad choices and misgivings.
Why is Amy Winehouse so special? ›
In addition to her technical skill, Winehouse was also known for her emotional depth and authenticity. She sang with a raw, emotional honesty that was rare in pop music, and her lyrics often dealt with difficult themes such as love, heartbreak, and addiction.
Did Amy Winehouse like being famous? ›She just wanted to be normal, he says. “She didn't want to be famous, she didn't want it, she hated it." All those years ago it was James who encouraged Winehouse to make the demo tape that launched her career. James is convinced if she could have turned back time to lead a normal life, she would have.
Did Amy Winehouse have OCD? ›James said that this was when Winehouse started to show signs of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Tyler said that Winehouse first became addicted to alcohol, suggesting that they “go to the pub and play pool” every day at around 11am.
What did Blake Fielder do to Amy Winehouse? ›Shortly after his release from jail, Fielder filed for divorce, citing adultery and that he found it “intolerable” to live with the singer. The divorce was granted in 2009, but Winehouse continued to struggle with alcohol addiction.
What surgery did Amy Winehouse have? ›She had breast enlargement surgery more than a year before her death and considered plastic surgery on her nose. Amy Winehouse's strong will may have helped her during her career, but it didn't help with substance abuse, her father writes. "Long before Amy was an addict, no one could tell her what to do," he writes.
Who died the same day as Amy Winehouse? ›| Name | Date of birth | Date of death |
|---|---|---|
| Orish Grinstead | June 2, 1980 | April 20, 2008 |
| Jade Goody | June 5, 1981 | March 22, 2009 |
| Dash Snow | July 27, 1981 | July 13, 2009 |
| Amy Winehouse | September 14, 1983 | July 23, 2011 |
Winehouse either celebrated her Jewishness or rebelled against it, but she always identified as Jewish. Throughout her brief career, she frequently wore a gold Star of David around her neck.
Did Adele like Amy Winehouse? ›Adele has lauded Amy as one of her biggest inspirations on multiple occasions, even crediting the soul singer's 2003 Frank album for motivating her to learn how to play the guitar.
Did Amy Winehouse have a lot of friends? ›Amy had a very “intense, obsessive” friendship with her three closest friends, Naomi, Chantelle and Catriona.
Who is the black female singer like Amy Winehouse? ›
Aaliyah - 48% match to Amy Winehouse.
Was Adele best friends with Amy Winehouse? ›Even though she and Winehouse were never close friends (Adele says they "didn't really know each other"), they did attend Brit School together briefly and the "Hello" singer "adored" her.
Who has sung the highest number of songs as a single person? ›Legendary Bollywood playback singer Asha Bhosle has entered the Guinness World Records for the most number of single studio recordings. She is best known for her playback singing in Hindi cinema. Asha has recorded up to 11,000 solo, duets and chorus-backed songs.
Who has the most #1 singles in music? ›The Beatles, unsurprisingly, lead the way with a record 20 No. 1s, all earned between 1964 and 1970. The Fab Four also scored 34 top 10s (second only to Madonna's 38), hitting No. 1 in over half their visits to the top 10.
Did Amy Winehouse have low self esteem? ›' Amy lacked self-esteem, as do many. And while this was often a rich source of inspiration for her music, it ultimately ruined her. I also suffered from low confidence as a teenager partly due to my oversensitive nature and partly due to the bitchy atmosphere at school.
What kind of person was Amy Winehouse? ›Which personality type was Amy Winehouse? Amy Winehouse was an ISFP personality type. She was sensual and creative, often thinking outside the box, particularly when it came to artistic pursuits. As an ISFP, she had deeply held values which guided her decisions in life.
How many people are in the 27 Club? ›This chronological look at all 54 members of the 27 Club spans a century of music-making, reminding us of the much-loved artists we've lost, and the sheer talent it takes to create lasting, world-changing music.
What voice type was Whitney Houston? ›What was Whitney Houston's vocal fach or voice type? As confirmed by her vocal coach, Whitney was a mezzo-soprano, although there is a case to be made for her being classified as a Spinto Soprano.
When did Amy Winehouse come out? ›Debut Album: 'Frank'
Her debut album, Frank (2003), was a critically acclaimed mixture of jazz, pop, soul and hip-hop. The album was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize as well as two BRIT awards for Best Female Solo Artist and Best Urban Act.
Ultimately, Winehouse's estate was reportedly split equally between her parents, Mitch and Janis Winehouse, who separated when the singer was nine. Her parents would use some of these hefty inheritance to create the Amy Winehouse Foundation, which helps young musicians and those with addiction issues.
Was Amy Winehouse a borderline personality? ›
Winehouse publicly struggled with addiction, depression, and a number of other hallmarks of untreated borderline personality disorder, although doctors only speculated after she died that she may have had BPD.
Does Amy Winehouse have Tourette's? ›“She could well have been almost Tourette's, where she would just shout things out,” said Winehouse-Collins, 60. “We just do not know.” Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics, according to the National Institutes of Health.
What tattoos did Amy Winehouse have? ›Right at the top was "Cynthia", a sexy woman from the fifties, accompanied by two hearts. This tattoo referred to her grandmother. Right below this, a little strange perhaps, was another pin-up girl, this time with a fan. On the inside of her right arm Amy had a bird with musical notes tattooed.
What happened to Amy Winehouse fiance? ›The marriage finally ended in 2009 and was plagued by physical violence and drug binges, including one that lasted two months straight. Winehouse died of alcohol poisoning in 2011, at the age of 27. Prince, 57, passed away from an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2016.
Did Mark Ronson know Amy Winehouse? ›"Amy came to my studio right here. We met for the first time, and I instantly loved her," Ronson continued. "She played me all this great '60s music, and she left, and I got very inspired, and I came up with this piano right here."
Did Amy Winehouse have lung disease? ›Amy Winehouse's Father Clarifies Diagnosis, Sort Of: 'She Has A Small Amount Of Emphysema' 'If she stopped [smoking], her decline in lung function would be at the rate of normal people,' American Lung Association physician says.
Did Amy Winehouse have heart problems? ›The famously bee-hived British singer Amy Winehouse is one of them, although her fainting spell seems connected to a more serious problem. Doctors have determined that she has early stage emphysema and an irregular heartbeat caused by smoking crack cocaine and cigarettes.
What was the last song Amy Winehouse sang before she died? ›Amy would perform at her goddaughter Dionne Bromfield's concert at the Roundhouse in Camden, singing a version of the classic R&B song 'Mama Said'.
What did Amy Winehouse do on her last day? ›Amy Winehouse had died of alcohol poisoning. In her final moments, she was alone in her bed, with empty vodka bottles scattered on the floor beside her. The coroner later noted that she had a blood-alcohol level of . 416 — more than five times the legal limit for driving in England.
What was Amy Winehouse last tweet? ›Amy Winehouse
Two nights before her death on July 23, 2011, the singer tweeted cryptically: “Oinka oinka oinka why you awake.”
How much alcohol did Amy drink? ›
Here's what you should know: How much did she drink? When she died, Winehouse's blood-alcohol level was more than five times Britain's drunk-driving limit. She had 416 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood; the legal limit in Britain is 80 mg.
Who found Amy Winehouse dead? ›Amy's body was found by her live-in security guard Andrew Morris, who said she had spent her last night in her bedroom watching TV and listening to music.
Who inherited Amy Winehouse money? ›Ultimately, Winehouse's estate was reportedly split equally between her parents, Mitch and Janis Winehouse, who separated when the singer was nine. Her parents would use some of these hefty inheritance to create the Amy Winehouse Foundation, which helps young musicians and those with addiction issues.
What will Amy Winehouse be remembered for? ›Despite her well-publicised eating disorder and substance abuse, Amy Winehouse will always be remembered as a powerhouse in music.
Did Amy Winehouse have a number 1 hit? ›5. Despite dozens of awards and her second album winning the top spot in the UK charts in 2006, Amy Winehouse never had a number one single.
What song did Amy Winehouse sing last? ›Winehouse's last studio recording was the song "Body and Soul", a duet with Tony Bennett. The song appears on Winehouse's posthumous compilation album Lioness: Hidden Treasures and Bennett's album Duets II.
Why is Amy Winehouse a tragic hero? ›Sadly, Amy Winehouse was no exception. As the outstanding musician she was, she was destined to face tragedy. As a woman who possessed traits that included pleasing others, helping others, facing enemies and allies, and then facing a tragedy, she now can, sadly, be considered as a modern tragic hero.
Is Amy Winehouse a Millionaire? ›Amy Winehouse was a talented British singer who had a net worth of $4 million at the time of her death in 2011. Amy Winehouse was known for her deep vocals and musical mix of soul, jazz, and R&B.