NEWS

Tony Bennett: The industry should help Winehouse

4th July 2011

(Cover) - DE Showbiz - Tony Bennett has accused the music industry of not doing enough to help Amy Winehouse.

The troubled singer recently made the headlines after a disastrous opening gig for her 12-date European tour. Amy, who has a history of drink and drug problems, was booed during the set in Serbia, which saw her slur her words and drop her microphone. The remaining tour dates were subsequently cancelled. And the legendary crooner, who worked with Amy on his forthcoming song called Body and Soul, has called on the industry to do something for the singer.

"It would be more civilised to do it that way, but the greed has set in," he told BBC radio show Today when asked if he felt there should be more pastoral care in the industry. "About Amy Winehouse, she was absolutely wonderful. When it comes to her musicality, I think she is ahead of her time. She is a natural singer, and I can't tell you the magnificent change in my life when I stopped taking drugs and stopped hiding from the public doing things I shouldn't do. I enjoyed my life so much more."

Following a declining career and a near fatal cocaine overdose in 1979, Tony vowed to clean up and went on to have huge success during the 1980s.

However, his biggest hit is still 1962's I Left My Heart in San Francisco. Ironically, it was originally only supposed to a B-side as Tony feared it would only be a hit locally.

"We always thought it would be a local song in the San Francisco community, having no idea that it would break out and become my signature song for the rest of my life," he explained. (C) Cover Media

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