Island Records announced this morning that they will release a new album of Amy Winehouse recordings on December 5th. The record label said in a statement that the album will be called “Lioness: Hidden Treasures” & will contain 12 songs, previously unreleased tracks, alternative versions of existing classics & brand new songs. The album was compiled by the late singer’s longtime musical partner’s Mark Ronson & Salaam Remi in collaboration with Winehouse’s family & management.
British coroner Suzanne Greenaway announced Wednesday, that Amy Winehouse’s July 23 death was the “unintended consequence” of drinking too much alcohol. The coroner ruled that it was “death by misadventure,” stating that Winehouse, 27 was more than five times over the legal limit, according to the inquest, and two large bottles and one small bottle of vodka were found in the bedroom of her London home. Winehouse was an “intelligent, determined young woman who, at times, was able to successful abstain from alcohol,” the coroner said while announcing the cause of death as “alcohol toxicity.”
Amy’s family released a statement saying: “It is some relief to finally find out what happened to Amy. We understand there was alcohol in her system when she passed away, it is likely a build up of alcohol in her system over a number of days.The court heard that Amy was battling hard to conquer her problems with alcohol and it is a source of great pain to us that she could not win in time. She had started drinking again that week after a period of abstinence.It underlines how important our work with the Amy Winehouse Foundation is to us, to help as many young people and children as we can in her name.It means a lot to us and from the overwhelming messages of support we have had since Amy died, we know she meant a great deal to people all over the world. We want to thank everyone for that and for their continuing enthusiasm for the Foundation.”
Today would have been Amy Winehouse’s 28th Birthday, to commemorate her birthday the last ever recording from Amy has been released. “Body and Soul”, recorded by Amy Winehouse and Tony Bennett on March 23, 2011 at Abbey Road Studios in London, was released this morning & is available to purchase on iTunes, with all proceeds going to the Amy Winehouse Foundation, also launched today. The video can be seen below. The Amy Winehouse Foundation, set up by Amy’s family and friends will stand alongside Amy’s music as her legacy. The Winehouse Family have created this foundation in Amy’s name to benefit young people in the UK and around the world. To make a donation to The Amy Winehouse Foundation it can be made at http://www.amywinehousefoundation.co.uk/
No illegal drugs were in the system of Amy Winehouse when she died on July 23. Spokesman Chris Goodman said in a statement Tuesday: “Toxicology results returned to the Winehouse family by authorities have confirmed that there were no illegal substances in Amy’s system at the time of her death. Results indicate that alcohol was present but it cannot be determined as yet if it played a role in her death, The family would like to thank the police and coroner for their continuing thorough investigations and for keeping them informed throughout the process. They await the outcome of the inquest [into her death] in October.”
Amy Winehouse’s funeral was held today in London. Among the mourners were the singer’s Father, Mother & Brother, along with close friends, celebrities such as Kelly Osbourne, and musicians such as Mark Ronson, who co-produced her breakthrough album “Back to Black.” The service for Winehouse was held at north London’s Edgwarebury cemetery, afterword, Winehouse’s body was transported to the Golders Green crematorium, where it was cremated.
