(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Russell Brand gave a moving tribute to Amy Winehouse at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs).
It had previously been announced the ceremony would feature a segment in honour of the late star. She was found dead at her London home in July. No narcotics were in her system when she passed, although there was some alcohol. Her official cause of death remains unknown at the moment.
Russell had been good friends with Amy, penning a tribute to her on his blog shortly after she died.
He took to the stage at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles to discuss the star, in a speech which was both sad and funny.
"She was kind of like a daft, dopey person with a peculiar, unknowable talent," he said. "She just seemed like an ordinary girl with extraordinary hair."
Russell then discussed the first time he heard Amy sing. Famed for her jazz vocals, he couldn't believe what he was hearing when she showed off her talent.
"That incredible, extraordinary voice coming from that crazy person, a person I knew would wander stinking of the booze, a loopy, loose-cannon person - I thought, How can that be coming out of her?' After that I gave her a lot more attention, because it became evident upon hearing that divine voice that she was a genius," he said.
Russell has battled drug and sex addiction in the past. Amy's problems with alcohol and illegal substances were well documented, and the comedian touched on the issue during his speech.
"A lot of people just get the disease, not many people get the incredible talent that Amy was blessed with. Let's remember there is a solution. That solution is available," he said.
Russell also spoke of how Amy paved the way for current stars such as Lady Gaga, Adele and his wife Katy Perry. He then welcomed Tony Bennett on stage, who recorded a duet with Amy for his new album earlier this year.
"She was a true jazz artist in the tradition of Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. She had the gift," Tony said.
The audience was then played footage of Amy recording Body And Soul with him in London in March.
At the end of the segment Bruno Mars took to the stage and performed a version of Amy's song Valerie. (C) Cover Media