Remembering Amy Winehouse

One of the most touching tributes to Amy Winehouse today came from Tony Bennett, probably the last musician she recorded with.

Bennett told US Weekly: “She was an extraordinary musician with a rare intuition as a vocalist and I am truly devastated that her exceptional talent and has come to such an early end.”

In March, Bennett recorded the classic song “Body and Soul” with Winehouse at London’s Abbey Road Studios.

“When we recorded together, she gave a soulful and extraordinary performance,” Bennett said. “I was honored to have the opportunity to sing with her.”

The legendary singer went on: “It had been my sincere hope that she would be able to overcome the issues she was battling and I send my deepest sympathy to her father Mitchell, her entire family and all of those who loved her.”

Amy Winehouse with Tony Bennett

The loss was felt especially strongly in Winehouse’s own London neighborhood.

A spontaneous vigil sprang up in front of the singer’s home in Camden, a gathering that grew in size as the day went on, according to various news reports. “Dozens of bouquets and candles have been left on the railings at the end of the road where Amy Winehouse lived,” reported the BBC.

Down the street, fans and friends at the local pub, The Hawley Arms, celebrated her life.

“Apart from her extraordinary musical talent, she was a special person with a good soul and this should not have happened,” read a statement from the pub. “We feel privileged to have known her and we will sorely miss her.”  (When Winehouse won a major music award, she sent the landlord of the The Hawley Arms to pick it up, reports The Manchester Evening News.)

“This was her favourite Camden pub,” reported the BBC, “but the management appeared determined not to turn the night into a wake.”

“She made this pub her home and everyone remembers what a good laugh she was,” one regular said. “She even used to serve behind the bar sometimes. She was part of the community in Camden.”

And the community is clearly feeling they’ve lost one of their own, said the BBC’s reporter at the scene: “It was a very Camden memorial, and one you felt sure Amy would have approved of.”

At the same time, digital technologies and social media meant that the outpourings of condolences were overwhelming, worldwide and immediate.

Even before Winehouse’s death was confirmed by mainstream media, it was a major trending topic on Twitter, reports the Daily Mail, which also estimated that “within minutes 20 m[illion people] were talking to each other on Twitter about the singer’s sudden death.”

And some of those people were celebrities – here’s a small sampling of what they had to say: