Dale Davis Remembers Amy Winehouse: A Bittersweet Goodbye Before…

Dale Davis shares emotional insights into his last conversations with Amy Winehouse before her tragic death. In a bittersweet call, Amy questioned her singing talent, highlighting her struggles with self-worth. Davis reflects on her battles with food and insomnia, and the impact she had on women in music. The tour for The Amy Winehouse Band kicks off on November 1, keeping her memory alive through performance.

Bandleader Dale Davis has opened up about his bittersweet conversations with the late Amy Winehouse, who died at the young age of 27 back in 2011. Hours before she tragically passed away, the iconic singer seemed to be grappling with her self-worth, despite being one of the most talented voices of her generation. It’s both heartbreaking and illuminating to hear her question the very talent that produced chart-toppers like “Rehab” and “You Know I’m No Good.”

Reflecting on that fateful phone call, Davis recalled her asking him, “Dale, I’ve been watching myself on YouTube. I can sing, can’t I?” It’s a question that carries so much weight — and so much vulnerability — from someone who had dazzled audiences everywhere. “I told her, ‘Of course you can. You’re the best!’” Davis stated, revealing that she had never said such a thing before. It’s as if even the brightest stars sometimes doubt their shine.

The day after that conversation, tragedy struck and Amy was found dead in her Camden home. Davis was blindsided, not realising just how serious her health was despite their frequent chats. Just days before, she had been excited about a new record label venture for her goddaughter’s music. “Seeing how Amy was that night, her death doesn’t make sense,” Davis reflected. Frustratingly, it seemed like she had turned a corner recently.

Despite her struggles with alcohol, Davis indicates that Amy’s long battle with an eating disorder played a significant role in her demise. He mentions poignant memories of feeling guilty about indulging in meals around her. Amy’s relationship with food was fraught, with Davis remembering, “One day, Amy told me, ‘Dale, you’re always eating!’”

Amy also suffered from insomnia, worsened by her husband’s imprisonment, which meant more sleepless nights for her. “When you’re on tour the whole time, you get tired. And when you’re tired, the demons come out,” Davis noted. It’s a tragic image — a gifted artist unable to find solace, even in sleep.

Davis has fond memories of the early days with Amy, recalling that it was at the Notting Hill Carnival when he first saw her special talent. “By halfway through her show, loads of people were turning up. By the end, I thought, ‘Your singing is so powerful, you don’t need a microphone’,” he said, it’s clear that Davis saw something extraordinary that day.

The two had a strong bond that was likened to family on the road. She was even sweet to the band, looking out for their well-being. “Amy was a very spiritual person… she always wanted to know how you were, not how she was,” Davis explained. Even amid her chaos, she put others first, a testament to her character.

Davis recently acted as a musical consultant for the biopic Back To Black, and he chuckles, imagining Amy’s initial reaction: “She’d have been embarrassed and asked, ‘What are you doing, making a film about me? What’s all the fuss about?’” He elaborated on her rebellious spirit, stating that Amy was not just an artist — she was an icon who paved the way for countless female singers and encouraged women to be unapologetically themselves.

For the past eight years, Davis has kept her memory alive, performing with former bandmates as The Amy Winehouse Band. Some shows even feature an orchestra, a choice Amy wouldn’t have approved of. “Amy never liked having an orchestra. She thought it diluted her sound,” he confessed. Is it possible her fight for authenticity extended even to her concert choices?

Davis also recalls the intensity of Amy’s final concert, a chaotic Belgrade show that led to the cancellation of her tour. “It was the toughest show I’ve done in my life. Amy just didn’t want to be there,

Dale Davis’ reflections on Amy Winehouse offer a poignant reminder of the struggles behind one of music’s most talented stars. Despite her immense talents and the joy she brought to many, she wrestled with doubts about her own abilities. From her complicated relationship with food to the pressures of stardom, it’s clear that Amy wasn’t just an extraordinary artist but also a deeply troubled soul. Her spirit, thankfully, continues to shine on through her music and the memories of those who loved her. Fans of the Amy Winehouse Band can catch them performing live starting November 1st.

Original Source: www.express.co.uk