Winehouse biography

Amy Winehouse early life

Amy Jade Winehouse was born on September 14, 1983, in the London suburb of Southgate to Jewish parents Mitchell, a taxi driver, and Janis, a pharmacist.

The couple parted ways when Amy was nine and her elder brother Alex was 13. As a child she was "always very self willed,'' says Mitch, ''not badly behaved...

Amy winehouse death

but different".

Aged just ten she set up a short-lived rap duo called Sweet 'n Sour, modelled on Salt 'n' Pepa, with best friend Juliette Ashby. Amy was the sour element.

Education

At 12, she enrolled at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, but three years later was asked to leave for having her nose pierced and failing to keep up with her studies.

During her time there, she later recalled, she was often given solos that required a sexy, husky jazz-style voice.

Up to that point her family hadn't been aware of the extent of her vocal abilities. ''I went to see her i