Just got back from work today to find out that Amy Winehouse has died. Lest we forget too soon what a great talent Ms Winehouse was:
One of the big downsides of Rock’n’Roll is the plain fact that some people cope better than others with fame and all its demands on them. Sadly, Amy Winehouse will go down in history alongside a long line of those who could only cope with the use of recreational drugs. Janis Joplin, Tommy Bolin, John Bonham, Elvis Presley, Keith Moon, Jimi Hendrix, Phil Lynott, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Sid Vicious etc. Will we ever learn that the drugs don’t work? I’m afraid I don’t think so. Unfortunately this lesson applies just as much to business as it does Rock’n’Roll. It underlines the importance of finding better coping strategies for pressure and fame than sex, drugs and rock’n’roll.
So, spare a moment to recall the great talent that sprung from this addictive personality:
Amy Winehouse RIP 23 July 2011 aged just 27 – this seems to be a very dangerous age for rock stars Brian Jones, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain all left this mortal coil at 27
Peter Cook - Speaker, Author 
27 – same as Hendrix, Joplin, Cobain and Morrison… what is it with 27 and trouble musicians?
Great shame – it is just a shame that she didn’t say yes to rehab
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Indeed Graham – 27 seems to be some terrible number – if you get past that, you are doing something right.
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Peter, it’s fitting that you jumped on this so quickly. I showed your post to love of my life Jeff Levine – a talented psychotherapist who hadn’t heard Rehab before. Among others, he treats people with various addictions – including substance abuse. He thought the lyrics were the perfect counterpoint to the reality that no rehab can equal death. The irony is that Amy’s death proves the point. Hopefully her loss equates with some gains for others as a result.
From the business perspective, failure to pay attention to risk and failure to seek what success will require in the future sets us up for self-annihilation similar to Amy’s.
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Hi Ellie,
On the addiction aspect of this, please see my friend Maria’s article on addiction and its costs. She offers a deeply personal story on this aspect of Amy’s life – not easy reading http://www.medwaymaria.co.uk/reviews.htm
Peter
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Thanks for posting these great videos. Haunting.
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Thank you for the comment Lisa – tragic really
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It has been almost impossible to get past Rehab itslf – a natural song for the media to keep playing. Tragic waste is almost not enough of a phrase, but it has been the most used. The self destruct button just felt like it was going to be hit – but it still felt like a huge shock. I know we have some great songs as a legacy – something we don’t have with a lot of other people. I was not alone in playing her albums yesteray, I assume. Sad, sad sad. Why does addiction block the ears? The escape is the short term gain, I suppose Peter – but long term, yes, they don’t work. Is it a slow suicide decision for some, or a feeling of incincibility – “I can handle it” – attitude? My thoughts are with her family and close ones. They will feel guilty I am sure, but they all seemed to try in their own ways…but she wasn’t there for the saving…
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Thanks Phil. Addiction to habits is of course multiplied by alcohol and drugs, but in the wider context, people and organisations become addicted to habits, some of which go out of date, leading to corporate decline. Adrenaline can also be a powerful driver.
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Elvis was very unhappy to be 40, and probably would have died younger if he still haven’t having some hope for a decent film career at 27.
As with anything, it’s moderation, moderation, moderation – but being famous is about excess as much as success.
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Thanks for your comment – re excess and success, spot on – just out for a beer with Bernie Torme last night, guitarist with Ian Gillan and Ozzy Osbourne – now, it’s a miracle that they are still alive!! See today’s post on the topic https://humandynamics.wordpress.com/2011/07/26/monsters-of-rock-bernie-torme/
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