In a grand London square in Camden Town, right across from the house where she passed away, stands a tree that has become a shrine in memory of Amy Winehouse. Fans from around the world visit this spot, leaving flowers, padlocks engraved with heartfelt dedications, hairbands, scrunchies, and even a worn-out bra still attached to the trunk.
The white gate pillars of the house are adorned with red lipstick kisses and handwritten messages: “a kiss to heaven,” “miss you every day.” Locals report that about a dozen fans visit Amy’s Tree daily, with more coming on weekends, especially after the pubs and clubs empty out. No one seems to mind.
These pilgrimages are expected to increase with the release of Back to Black, a new biopic about Winehouse, directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson. The film, set to debut on April 12, delves into the turbulent love story behind the album Back to Black—34 minutes of extraordinary music that immortalized her voice, songwriting, style, and image. Songs like “Rehab,” “Tears Dry on Their Own,” “You Know I’m No Good,” and “Love Is a Losing Game” detail her tumultuous relationship with Blake Fielder-Civil, whom she married and later divorced. The film portrays how this chaotic and destructive relationship, fueled by alcohol, drugs, and emotional turmoil, birthed the iconic album. After marrying in Miami in 2007, they divorced two years later, with Fielder-Civil admitting his role in introducing her to crack cocaine and heroin.
Amy Winehouse’s death at the age of 27 in 2011, from alcohol poisoning, has cemented her place in the “27 Club” alongside icons like Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, and Jim Morrison. In life, she was a growing talent, burdened by toxic relationships, aggressive paparazzi, and addiction. In death, she became an enduring music and style icon, and her premature passing sparked a thriving Amy Winehouse industry.
