Amy Winehouse

United Kingdom, 2003–2011

English singer-songwriter (1983–2011). A contralto who blended soul, jazz, R&B and 1960s girl-group styles. Her second album, Back to Black (2006), was a commercial and critical success and won five Grammy Awards in 2008. She died at 27.

MusicRoots documents 5 artists who influenced Amy Winehouse and 0 artists Amy Winehouse influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Amy Winehouse?

• Donny Hathaway — Hathaway's phrasing runs through the singers who came long after him, Amy Winehouse among the most direct.
• The Shangri-Las — Winehouse modelled the brass-heavy, 1960s girl-group sound of Back to Black (2006) on the Shangri-Las, whom she cited as a key influence.
• Dinah Washington — Dinah Washington's jazz-blues phrasing was a favourite of Winehouse and a model for her own vocal delivery.
• Aretha Franklin — Aretha Franklin's gospel-rooted soul was among the voices Winehouse admired and drew on.
• Mahalia Jackson — Gospel had a major impact on Winehouse, who admired Mahalia Jackson.