Look To The Stars News: Amy Winehouse

VH1 Divas Bring Soul To Charity

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:30:00 +0000

VH1’s beloved franchise VH1 Divas paid tribute to the great cities of soul music last night, including Chicago, Detroit, London, Memphis and Philadelphia.

The all-star diva roster included Mary J. Blige, Kelly Clarkson, Florence + The Machine, Jennifer Hudson, Jessie J and Jill Scott, accompanied by one of the most exciting groups of modern soul, The Roots, with Questlove and Adam Blackstone as musical directors.

In addition to the Divas, the evening included an incredible line-up of performers including Chaka Khan, Erykah Badu, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Boyz II Men, Estelle, Marsha Ambrosius, Travie McCoy, Mavis Staples, Wanda Jackson, Martha Reeves and Ledisi. Presenters were Dolly Parton, Queen Latifah, Terrence Howard, Nas, Common, Sherri Shepherd, La La Anthony, and Archie Panjabi.

VH1 Divas To Pay Tribute To Amy Winehouse

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:05:00 +0000

VH1’s beloved, popular franchise, “VH1 Divas,” has announced a special tribute to Amy Winehouse at this year’s VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul with performances by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine) and Wanda Jackson.

“VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul” premieres Monday, December 19 at 9 PM/8c on VH1.

The tribute will reflect Winehouse’s contribution to modern, London soul music. Some highlights of the tribute will include Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings performing “You Know I’m No Good,” and Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine) and Wanda Jackson will perform her song “Back to Black.” The Dap-Kings contributed a number of tracks for Winehouse’s Grammy Award-winning album “Back to Black.” In addition, Nas, who collaborated with Winehouse on the first single of her current posthumous album, will introduce the tribute medley.

Amy Winehouse Foundation Announces Irish Children's Hospital Initiative

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:20:00 +0000

Between now and the end of the year, the Amy Winehouse Foundation will be donating to LauraLynn House the euro equivalent of £1 for every copy of Amy’s new album that is sold in Ireland.

“Having recently visited and supported several children’s hospices in the UK, we greatly admire the incredible work that these organisations carry out”, said Amy’s father, Mitch. “LauraLynn House was officially opened in September this year and is the first children’s hospice in Ireland. We are delighted to be supporting them and we are really looking forward to our visit this week, so we can see firsthand the work that is being done and also hopefully meet some of families that are being helped there”.

Amy Winehouse's Dress Sold For Charity

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

The iconic dress worn by Amy Winehouse on the cover of her Back To Black album has been sold for £43,200 at an auction in London, with the proceeds going to the Amy Winehouse Foundation.

“We are just over the moon and we owe a great debt to the designer, Disaya, who donated the proceeds from the sale,” said Amy’s father, Mitch. ""We are particularly keen to make donations in Camden, a place very close to the family’s hearts as Amy’s home.

“We want to give money to projects that make a direct difference. It is a source of great comfort to know that Amy would be proud of this and right behind it.”

Posthumous Amy Winehouse Album To Benefit Charity

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Some of the proceeds from Amy Winehouse’s posthumous album release will go to the charity set up in her name.

Following her tragic passing on July 23, 2011, some of the producers and musicians who worked closely with the 5x Grammy Award winning artist Amy Winehouse – including Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson – spent time listening over the many recordings that Amy had made, before, during, and after the release of albums Frank and Back To Black. It was said by all who worked with Amy that she never sang or played a song the same way twice. It quickly became apparent to both Salaam and Mark that they had a collection of songs that deserved to be heard, a collection of songs that were a fitting testament to Amy the artist and, as importantly, Amy their friend.

Lioness: Hidden Treasures, the third album from Amy Winehouse, without question one of the most talented, original, and best loved artists to emerge in popular music for decades, will be released in the United States on December 6th through Universal Republic Records. The 12 track collection features previously unreleased tracks, alternate versions of existing classics as well as a couple of brand new Amy compositions, and has been compiled by long-time musical partners Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson in close association with Amy’s family, management and UK record label Island Records.

Amy Winehouse's Father Signs Charity Book Deal

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Mitch Winehouse, the father of the late Amy Winehouse, has signed a publishing deal with HarperCollins.

His new book – to be titled Amy, My Daughter – is being released worldwide in summer 2012. All proceeds from the book are going towards The Amy Winehouse Foundation.

“I feel that I need to write this book to tell the true story of Amy and to help with my personal recovery,” said Mitch. “I also want to raise as much money as possible for Amy’s foundation, so all proceeds from the book will go directly to help children who are disadvantaged through illness and substance addiction. I believe that through Amy’s music, her foundation, and this book, her name will live forever.”

Amy Winehouse Foundation Launched

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Amy Winehouse, the international musician whose jazz style and stunning voice earned her international acclaim, sadly died recently after years of battling substance abuse and other problems, under the watchful gaze of the media.

Her family are determined, however, not to let her death be in vain; on her birthday, the 14th of September, they set up a charity devoted to helping vulnerable young people. The Amy Winehouse Foundation aims to ‘support charitable activities in both the UK and abroad that provide help for young people, especially those who are in need by reason of ill health, disability, ﬁnancial disadvantage or addiction.’

Amy had struggled in the public spotlight for years after her smash hit ‘Rehab’ but had always kept going. On the 27th of July, however, she was found dead in her house by friends. It seems important to note that a postmortem toxicology showed there were no substances in her system. Since July, the public have poured praise and love on the singer and her family and her father, Mitch, has said it had been a great help in coping with their grief.

Amy Winehouse And Tony Bennett Duet For Charity

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:00:00 +0000

The track and video of “Body and Soul,” recorded by Amy Winehouse and Tony Bennett on March 23, 2011 at Abbey Road Studios in London, will be released in its entirety on Wednesday, September 14 to commemorate Amy Winehouse’s birthday.

“Body and Soul” became the final recording Amy ever made before her passing on July 23rd of this year. September 14 marks what would have been the singer’s 28th Birthday.

Amy Winehouse Foundation To Launch Next Week

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:30:00 +0000

The Amy Winehouse Foundation is set to be launched on September 14, according to the late singer’s father, Mitch Winehouse.

The launch of the foundation has been delayed after someone registered the name before the family had a chance to do so.

“I was in New York with my cousin Michael when I heard [of her death], and straight away I said I wanted an Amy Winehouse Foundation, something to help the things she loved – children, horses, but also to help those struggling with substance abuse,” Mitch said at Amy’s funeral. “In this country, if you cannot afford a private rehabilitation clinic, there is a two-year waiting list for help. With the help of Keith Vaz MP, we are trying to change that.”

Tony Bennett To Headline Celebrity Charity Hunger Concert For AARP

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Tony Bennett will team with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) to take part in a celebrity charity concert to help end hunger – as well as to celebrate his 85th birthday.

The Drive To End Hunger concert will take place at Los Angeles’ Staples Center on September 24, just days after the release of his new album of duets.

“It is terrific to be working with AARP once again, especially for a cause like ending hunger among our older Americans, which often does not get much attention,” Bennett said. “I know this event will make a big difference and I am thrilled to be a part of it and have some of my favorite musical performers join me for the concert.”

Amy Winehouse To Be Honored With Charity

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Amy Winehouse’s father, Mitch, announced plans for a charity to be set up for addicts at the late singer’s funeral yesterday.

“I was in New York with my cousin Michael when I heard [of her death], and straight away I said I wanted an Amy Winehouse Foundation, something to help the things she loved – children, horses, but also to help those struggling with substance abuse,” the grieving father told mourners at the funeral. “In this country, if you cannot afford a private rehabilitation clinic, there is a two-year waiting list for help. With the help of Keith Vaz MP, we are trying to change that.”

The singer, who passed away during the weekend, was involved with a number of charities.

Amy Winehouse's Charity Legacy

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 03:45:00 +0000

British singer Amy Winehouse passed away this weekend at the age of 27, leaving behind an unsurpassed musical and charity legacy.

Best known for her albums Frank and Back To Black, the soul singer shot to fame in 2003 with a series of amazing singles highlighting her unique talents, as well as her incomparable style.

In 2008, she appeared naked in Easy Living magazine to raise awareness of breast cancer, a cause she supported throughout her career. She performed her hits Rehab and Valerie later that year at Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday concert in London.

Amy Winehouse Donates Clothes To Charity Shop

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:30:00 +0000

British singer Amy Winehouse has donated over £20,000 worth of designer clothes to a charity shop in London.

The star caused a “stampede” as people scrambled to get their hands on the Alexander McQueen and Luella Bartley designs. Winehouse was reportedly clearing out her closet prior to moving house.

“Amy turned up in a people carrier with loads of stuff in bin liners,” a source told The Sun. “Top, top designer gear. She promised there was more to come. The shop has been going like a fair since word got out.”

Amy Winehouse Provides Music For Charity Film

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:30:00 +0000

The YouTube channel dedicated to The Global Fund’s Born HIV Free campaign, which was launched seven weeks ago, has already been seen by more than 11 million viewers. The channel features an exceptional animation film called “Baby in the Sky”, created by the design team Les Bonzoms and with music of Amy Winehouse.

“The purpose of the Born HIV Free campaign is to encourage millions of people to support The Global Fund so we can finally put an end to the tragedy of 430,000 babies being born HIV-positive every year, when we have the means and the expertise to prevent this.” says Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Global Ambassador for the protection of mothers and children against AIDS. “Hopefully this beautiful film will reach a wide audience because of its creative ingenuity, and inspire millions of people to support The Global Fund so we can finally put an end to this terrible injustice.”

“Baby in the Sky” is a highly creative and imaginative animated film that conveys the beauty of life ahead for an unborn child. The film artistically portrays an imaginary journey in a world full of adventurous landscapes and fantastic creatures. It ends with a call from Carla Bruni-Sarkozy for an HIV-free generation in which she says “Life is a beautiful journey. Don’t let AIDS kill it.”

Paul McCartney To Stream Concert Online For Charity

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria are proud to announce that singer/songwriter Paul McCartney is throwing his support behind the BORN HIV FREE campaign.

His performance this weekend at Hard Rock Calling 2010 will be exclusively available through the BORN HIV FREE YouTube channel around 8:30pm GMT (2:30pm E.T) on Sunday, June 27.

McCartney’s concert from London’s Hyde Park will be the first musical performance streamed globally from Europe on YouTube. It will remain in the BORN HIV FREE YouTube channel for a month after the show, giving people who want to watch it again or view it for the first time a chance to do so. Visitors to the channel will also be able to learn more about Born HIV FREE and sign up to show their support for the campaign.

Celebrity Designs On Offer In Qatar

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:30:00 +0000

This Friday and Saturday, February 26-27, the Doha Marriott Hotel in Qatar is hosting a Whatever It Takes Shop and Draw for hope event in the main lobby featuring items from your favorite stars.

All of the unique merchandise for sale at this event features original artwork donated to Whatever It Takes — products include watches with artwork by Pierce Brosnan, John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson; t-shirts with the artwork of musicians Amy Winehouse, Barry Manilow, Suggs and Joss Stone; and a variety of totes and wallets with the artwork of Kanye West, Lucy Liu and David Bowie; the prices start at just 50QR (US$13).

After a pass through, shoppers are encouraged to enjoy the Doha Marriott’s lavish weekend brunch that offers an array of cuisines featuring stations from the restaurants Asia Live!, Corniche, All’ Aperto, Taj Rasoi, Salsa and special treat, cakes featuring Whatever It Takes Celebrity Symbols of Hope. In addition to shopping and dining, kids are invited to draw their own Symbols of Hope for the 21st Century or be entertained in the Doha Marriott’s kids club.

Amy Winehouse To Help Young Musicians

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0000

British singer Amy Winehouse reportedly wants to do community work in the Caribbean.

The 25-year-old has lived on the island of St Lucia for most of this year, and now wants to help budding young musicians find a outlet for their art.

“There are community works planned in St Lucia that Amy will be involved in, but they will be music-based projects for the island’s youth,” said a spokesman for the singer.

Stars Duet With Cuban Musicians For Climate Change

Tue, 26 May 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Amy Winehouse, The Killers and The Rolling Stones have teamed up with a group of Cuban musicians on an album designed to fight climate change.

The artists will perform duets with Rhythms Del Mundo on the CD, titled Classics, with proceeds from the project going to fund climate change projects and natural disaster relief around the world.

Inspired by the 2004 Asian Tsunami, the album will contain musical gems such as The Killers singing The Eagles’ Hotel California, and The Rolling Stones taking on The Drifters’ Under the Boardwalk. Also included on the album will be Amy Winehouse’s take on Sam Cooke’s Cupid. But perhaps the real highlight will be Fall Out Boy and John Mayer teaming up to cover Michael Jackson’s Beat It.

Bid 2 Beat AIDS Auction Jam-Packed With Stars

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:30:00 +0000

December 1st marked World AIDS Day. It was also the first day of BID 2 BEAT AIDS’s 4th annual charity auction.

Fans of celebrities in film, music, television, sports and Broadway have 10 days to bid on eBay for autographed items, VIP seats, original art, costumes and props, memorabilia, exclusive events and meet-and-greets from a legion of stars.

Autographs range from CDs by stars like Bon Jovi and Amy Winehouse, books signed by Madonna and Kevin Bacon, posters signed by Jake Gyllenhaal, Owen Wilson, and Matthew McConaughey, DVDs signed by Will Ferrell and Steven Spielberg, and toys, clothes, instruments and other memorabilia.

Bid2Beat AIDS For Special Christmas Gifts

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:00:00 +0000

One of the biggest celebrity charity auction events of the year is currently gearing up for its launch on December 1.

Bid2Beat AIDS is an annual event that will feature over 1000 items from top stars such as 50 Cent, Adam Sandler, Adrian Grenier, Aerosmith, Alec Baldwin, Amy Winehouse, Antonio Banderas, Britney Spears, Cameron Diaz, Common , Death Cab for Cutie, Denzel Washington, P. Diddy, Donny Osmond, Elton John, Fall Out Boy, Foo Fighters, Good Charlotte, Green Day, Hanson, Hilary Duff, Jake Gyllenhaal, James Blunt, James Earl Jones, James Morrison, Jamie Foxx, Jay-Z , Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jeremy Piven, Jessica Alba, John Legend, Johnny Depp, Kanye West, Kirsten Dunst, Ludacris , M.I.A., Madonna, Mariah Carey, Neil Patrick Harris, Ozzy Osbourne, Phil Collins, Raven Symone, Razorlight, Rihanna , Sacha Baron Cohen, Sharon Osbourne, Victoria Beckham, Whoopi Goldberg, Will Ferrell, Wyclef Jean, and many, many more. Also up for grabs will be VIP tickets to concerts and backstage visits with stars like Bernadette Peters, Jewel, Aimee Mann, Joan Rivers, and Michael Feinstein.

The annual auction will raise money for LIFEbeat, the music industry’s AIDS fundraising and service charity. The first three BID 2 BEAT AIDS auctions raised nearly $250,000, and this year’s looks set to be the biggest yet.

Keep Your Feet Dry With Celebrity Designed Boots

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:30:00 +0000

As winter starts to wrap it’s icy fingers around the Northern Hemisphere, it’s time to start pulling your seasonal clothes out of the bottom of the drawers and closets. And if you want something a little different to go splashing through the puddles and snow this year, why not check out the celebrity boot sale currently on eBay.

Jay-Z, John Mayer, KT Tunstall, Amy Winehouse, Noel Gallagher, James Blunt, Katie Melua, The Arctic Monkeys, Kate Moss and a host of other stars decorated boots at this year’s Glastonbury Festival in the UK, and now the footwear will raise money for Water Aid, an organization that provides clean water, sanitation and hygiene education in Africa and other parts of the developing world.

“We are really excited about the Water Aid Celebrity Boot auction on eBay,” said Naomi Irving, corporate development manager at Water Aid. “We’re so grateful to all the celebrities involved who have signed a pair of Hunter for Water Aid wellies [boots], including KT Tunstall, The Fratellis and Noel Gallagher.”

Dave Dobbyn Promotes Hearing Awareness In Fiji

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:30:00 +0000

You may have heard of Heal The World – well, now some of the world’s greatest musicians are taking part in a campaign to raise awareness of hearing loss called Hear The World.

Hear the World is an initiative by Phonak – a leading manufacturer of hearing aids – that aims to raise awareness of the topic of hearing and hearing loss and to promote good hearing all over the world, and musician Dave Dobbyn spent the weekend in Fiji doing exactly that.

“I see other people who support ‘Hear the World’ like Harry Belafonte, Annie Lennox, Placido Domingo,” said 51-year-old Dobbyn, whose new album, Anotherland, has just been released. “I’m in great company when we’re all thinking about our ears and our health. Your ears get fatigued like every organ in your body so to treat them with respect and keep the volume down.”

Celebs Sign Mercedes for 46664 Auction

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:30:00 +0000

There was a lot of action backstage at the 46664 Concert Honouring Nelson Mandela at 90 last Friday night. In addition to performing and giving interviews, celebrities were asked to sign a new Mercedes-Benz C350. Mercedes-Benz, a lead sponsor of the Mandela concert, then presented the vehicle to 46664, which will put it on the auction block.

Celebrities whose autographs now decorate the car include Amy Winehouse, Leona Lewis, Queen and Paul Rodgers, Annie Lennox, Simple Minds, Peter Gabriel, the Sugababes, Razorlight, Jamelia, Zuccero, Geri Halliwell, Eddy Grant, the Soweto Gospel Choir, Quincy Jones, and Lewis Hamilton.

Earlier in the day, tennis legend and Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador Boris Becker – who is also a representative of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation – took the vehicle to visit socially disadvantaged children in London. The children decorated the sedan with multi-colored handprints; they were also invited to attend the concert later that evening.

Nelson Mandela's 90th Birthday Party Rocks London

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:30:00 +0000

Hyde Park was transformed into a giant birthday bash Friday night as 46,664 people joined “birthday boy” Nelson Mandela and a stellar lineup of entertainers to raise funds and awareness for his 46664 charity.

It had been raining on and off all day in London, but the skies cleared just in time for the once-in-a-lifetime lineup of musicians and entertainers to take the stage in honor of Nelson Mandela’s 90th Birthday. The event was hosted by an enthusiastic Will Smith, and performers included Jivan Gasparyan, Razorlight, the cast of Into the ’Hoods, Sipho Mibuze, Leona Lewis, Zucchero, Suzanna Owiyo and D’Gary, Sugababes, Annie Lennox (who performed with the Agape Children’s Choir), Emmanual Jal, Vusi Mahlasela, Jamelia, Loyiso, Johnny Clegg, Joan Baez, Eddy Grant, Kurt Darren, Simple Minds, Brian May and Andrea Corr, Amy Winehouse, 9ice and Bebe Cool, Josh Groban, Amaral, and Queen and Paul Rodgers. The renowned Soweto Gospel Choir accompanied many of the acts. Additional entertainers who introduced the musical acts included Quincy Jones, Lewis Hamilton, Geri Halliwell, Peter Gabriel, Stephen Fry, and Jerry Dammers.

After Jivan Gasparyan opened the show with an instrumental piece to accompany a moving series of photographs of Mandela, Will Smith took to the stage with his wife Jada and announced, “The party starts now.” An energizing performance by Razorlight set the tone for the rest of the evening.

More Artists Confirm For Mandela's Birthday Bash

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:38:00 +0000

Multi-million selling classical pop singer Josh Groban, legendary folk rock singer Joan Baez, and a special appearance by Jerry Dammers – one of the organisers of Artists Against Apartheid and Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday concert, and whose song ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ became a banner for the 80’s anti-apartheid movement in the UK – are further highlights added to the forthcoming Nelson Mandela 90th birthday concert taking place in London’s Hyde Park on the evening of Friday, June 27.

These additional artist appearances were announced today by the concert organisers who said, “these three artists hold a special place with Nelson Mandela.”

The announcement comes only a week after singer Amy Winehouse confirmed she was adding her voice to those who will show their support for Mr Mandela and his 46664 organisation by taking part.