Music: ♫ Amy Winehouse: Her Signature Song: “Back to Black”

I grew up during the 60s and the 70s. Amy Winehouse recreated that throwback vibe. It’s a pity she departed so soon.

Amy Winehouse passed away July 2011. But her music endures.

“Back to Black” is the signature song by Amy Winehouse that she left for us to remember her by. 

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Enter Amy Winehouse. 14 September 1983

Exit Amy Winehouse. 23 July 2011

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Music is my weakness. So many songs have left an imprint on my life and as life passes those songs still move me. No doubt, it’s that way with everyone.

But in my generation, so many talented souls departed this life way too early than they should have — like Janis Joplin (1943–1970), Jim Morrison (James Douglas “Jim” Morrison, 1943–1971), etc.

I grew up during the 60s and the 70s and always tell my kids that the music of my generation was the best! That’s why the artists and musicians of their generation “sample” it. But every now and then there are singers from my kids' generation that hearken back to that old-school sound I remember.

Amy Winehouse recreated that throwback vibe.

It’s a pity she departed so soon.

You would think the artists in later generations might learn from the tragic stories of others and not repeat history. But they don’t learn and they do repeat the tragic history.

Yet when another bright one finally gets to shine their light, and no sooner than they are in the spotlight, their candle is blown out.

I was just starting to enjoy her raspy soulful sounds when it was announced that she was gone.

Glad she did a duet with Tony Bennett to leave as part of her legacy.

Video link: Tony Bennett, Amy Winehouse — Body and Soul (from Duets II: The Great Performances)

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“Back to Black”

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Music Lovers: Spotlight on Vanessa Williams

Remember Vanessa Williams? 1st African-American Miss America who had to give up her crown like the next day to the 1st runner up who also conveniently happened to be an African-American. Ms. Williams was Miss New York and the other girl whose name nobody really remembers was Miss New Jersey. Ms. Williams had to relinquish her crown when nude photos of her were published in Penthouse. Booo! Booo!! Whatever! That contest was rigged anyway. That's my opinion and you're not going to change it with facts.

Anyway … after all the brew ha ha died down, the young lady had gotten married and her husband … at the time … was instrumental in helping her get an album released.  Her comeback video was The Right Stuff (1988).  The girl has talent.  She wouldn't stay down!  Kudos to her!  She has stayed busy professionally singing and acting.  She was even invited to perform at the Miss America 2016 pageant.  In her personal life, she became a mother of 4 and has been married 3 times.  As of the date of this post, she is in her late 50s, but she still looks fabulous!  Even though she has starred in many films and TV series, I enjoy her singing.  My favorite song is "Save the Best for Last".

Image credit: Flickr.com photos flic.kr/p/3rGkAm 

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What's she been doing lately?

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In Memory of: Tina Turner (1939 - 2023) | Queen of Rock'n'Roll

We've lost a legendary soul sista! TINA TURNER (1939 – 2023)

Anna Mae Bullock was born in Nutbush, TN.  She is known and loved by many as Tina Turner.  The first time I saw Tina Turner perform was on the Ed Sullivan Show, on Jan 11, 1970. She was electric!  She became famous for her cover of the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic song “Proud Mary”.  I followed her career from that time forward.

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I liked most of her songs but I narrowed down her 60-year career and picked these four:

River Deep – Mountain High

On Silent Wings

Simply the Best

One of the Living (from OST for Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome)

She was chosen to sing the theme song for the James Bond film “Golden Eye”. Here's a little trivia about that. Bono wrote that song especially for her to perform.

She sold her music catalog ~ 60 years of music ~ for $50 million.


Whereas Aretha Franklin was called the “Queen of Soul”, Tina Turner was the “Queen of Rock and Roll”.

In her personal life, she did something that made me proud.
~ She's a survivor. SHE WALKED AWAY FROM HER ABUSIVE HUSBAND, IKE TURNER. She left everything behind and walked off with nothing her stage name “Tina Turner”; and with that name, she reinvented herself and become even more successful than when she was Ike.

She performed her last live concert in Austin, Texas USA. I live in this city but sadly I did not get to attend the show.

When I think of Tina Turner, I think:
STRONG WOMAN.
REMARKABLE.
A FIGHTER.
ICONIC.
EXEMPLARY and LEGENDARY.
A BEAST!! (And I mean that in a good way.)

Tina Turner described how she wanted to be remembered in an interview just six weeks before her death | Daily Mail Online

Goodbye my sweet soul sista!

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Throwback: Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome

Tina Turner. Awesome throwback song from the soundtrack for the movie 'Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome' (1985). 

“There's just one thing you've got to know ... You're one of the living.” ~ One of the Living

Throwback Thursday: David Bowie - This Is Not America (1985)

David Robert Jones OAL (1947 – 2016), known professionally as David Bowie, music icon and legend. This song is from the soundtrack of a movie titled “The Falcon and the Snowman", released in the 80s. It's 2021, and the current situation in my country, the USA, makes me think of this song a lot! 

David Bowie - This Is Not America (1985) 

Famous Italian Tenors: Andrea Bocelli

I had a roommate at university back in the 70s who was an opera major. Because of her I developed an appreciation for opera music. Because of my late husband I was introduced to the voice of Andrea Bocelli.  For a birthday gift he gave me the album Romanza.  I love it when singers known for their operatic voices cross over into the pop music genre and perform hit songs.  His blend of opera and pop is unique.

Image credit:  Amazon.com

AndreaBocelli is an award-winning tenor. His singing voice has been described as “The World's Most Romantic Voice” and as “The World's Most Beloved Tenor”. Both descriptions are accurate. Another excellent description is per his official Twitter account: "His voice as easily recognised as a signature, its mellow yet powerful tones resonate from 70 million records sold."

Bocelli performs wonderfully singing solo. However, his collaborations with artists are also very impressive. In fact, his collaboration with Italian pop star Zucchero Fornaciari to sing “Miserere,” is what he put him on the music map. That song was intended to be sung by another renowned tenor, Luciano Pavarotti. Even Pavarotti was impressed with this unknown tenor's voice.

Bocelli also collaborates with artists that you would probably never pair him with. For example, Mary J. Blige is an American singer and people call her the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul". I would have never thought that Andrea Bocelli would have collaborated with Mary J. Blige. But he did and the end result was magical! They got together and performed a duet for his Christmas album. He has also collaborated with Ariana Grande, Christina Aguilera, Jamie Foxx, and Stevie Wonder.

Andrea Bocelli was born September 22, 1958, in Lajatico, near Pisa, Italy. He lost his sight at age 12, but his lack of sight did not deter him. He attended university and studied law. He practiced law and after working as a state-appointed attorney, he made a major career change and decided to get into music. The entertainment world is very glad he did!

Check out these performances:

Zucchero, Pavarotti AND Bocelli, Miserere (Rare version)

What Child is This

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Awesome Music Biopics ~ Ray, Rocketman, Bohemian Rhapsody and more!

"A look back at Hollywood's most successful musical biopics, whose subjects range from Tupac to Ritchie Valens to Elton John. (All box office totals are for domestic ticket sales.)"  

List includes: "Ray" (2004) (Ray Charles); "Coal Miner's Daughter" (1980) (Loretta Lynn); and "Bohemian Rhapsody" (2018) (Freddie Mercury). ... (Photos)

11 Highest-Grossing Music Biopics, From Tupac’s ‘All Eyez on Me’ to Elton John’s ‘Rocketman’  

Link of Interest: 

Anatomy of a Musician Biopic | The Cut Magazine