Amy Winehouse was born on September 14,1983 in Enfield, London. At the age of nine, her grandmother, Cynthia, suggested she attend the Susi Earnshaw Theatre School for further training. She stayed at the Earnshaw school for four years before seeking full time training at Sylvia Young Theatre School, but was allegedly expelled at fourteen for piercing her nose. It was also at this age she started writing music and playing around with her brothers guitar. Her boyfriend at the time, soul singer Tyler James, sent her demo tape to an A&R person at Island/Universal, which led to her signing with the label. In October 2003, Amy Winehouse released her debut album, Frank. The album entered the UK Albums Chart at No. 60 before climbing to number thirteen in January 2004. It has since been certified double platinum for shipment of more than 600,000 copies. In 2005, Amy Winehouse went through a period of drinking, heavy drug use and violent mood swings. She appeared to get better in the fall of that year as she was working on her second album Back To Black.Back to Black received universal critical acclaim and has been praised for its classic soul style. At the 50th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony, Back to Black won five awards including Best Pop Vocal Album and Record of the Year. The hit single "Rehab" off of the album won for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Song of the Year. Amy Winehouse also won the Best New Artist Award. To date, Back To Black has sold over 11 million copies.
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