Tony Bennett laments Amy Winehouse in Studio Q

During his recent visit to Studio Q, Tony Bennett reflects on the tragic loss of Amy Winehouse, with whom he collaborated on his latest album "Duets II".
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[@Guitargate]

When you’re actually in the room, and someone shows you who they really are, believe them. Tony saw her for who she was and believed her. Tremendous.

[@avarast]

I wish he had time to tell her that, Amy had so much repect for M.Bennett, i defenitely think he could have made a difference. This still honors you greatly M.Benett, such an artist with a solid heart !!

[@CheeTooTheeBee]

Bru Flogg I totally agree... It’s so sad...

[@OsoChistoso789]

Talent recognize talent no matter the time or the generation

[@waynej2608]

I was thinking the same. Amy really admired and respected Tony Bennett. Would it have made a difference? We'll never know. But it may have. It certainly couldn't have hurt. This is just incredibly sad. Amy was a true artist. Mr. Bennett, is a class act.

[@isaacredmond.]

He literally could’ve saved her

[@jerrybergsteinbaum8008]

I mean,I respected and loved my grandfather but his words and love couldnt stop me from shooting speedballs,you just have to be ready,ya know? She just wasnt and that's incredibly sad...

[@SleazzyM]

I see why ppl disagree w him comparing Miss Winehouse to Ella & Billie, it may not be the vocals he's talking about or style music. But he's talking about the genuine soul that came from these artists, example go listen to a Billie record, you can feel her pain or feeling through music like no other in Jazz. As did Amy when she recorded Jazz or any other genre she did, THAT is what Amy had that made her different from these new artists in this day and age he's talking about. And for Tony to say, says a lot, coming from that he's worked with how many artists for how many decades?

[@Symbolsysteme]

+Caprice Summers For me it's not about comparing one singer to the other, but I totally agree that Amy was a true Artist, because she was so real and honest. Most likely too real and too honest for the Music industry, esp nowadays where artists have to be like media sl*ts.

[@michaelhoward7009]

They disagree and are wrong. He is correct in a way arguably surpassed them both in har very decent chops on guitar and an incredibly talented songwriter. No. Anyone trained as a musician and composer gets it. And if you think you know more than Tony about this- your opinion should be placed in that context. Seems to me.

[@shihlin1]

Funny you say that. First time I heard her sing "Body and Soul" with Tony, I thought: "Damn, WHO is that ? Did they do a duet of him and Billie Holiday by mixing their vocals together like Natalie Cole did with her dad Nat King ?" I thought for sure it was Billie Holiday. What I responded to was the emotional honesty in Amy's interpretation just like how Billie Holiday moved so many in the last 80 years with her own.

[@spendingtimetogether8428]

To me she sounded like Nina Simone, but regardless who she reminds us of, such a waste of talent. RIP.

[@AAwildeone]

@@shihlin1 I literally just revisited their Body and Soul duet, and you couldn't be more right!

[@rcafiero]

Tony Bennet says what I always thought. Amy Winehouse was the best singer since Beatles era, that is to say the best singer of last 50 years. At the same level of Billie Halliday, which is the best singer of all times. But, in addition, she was also a great songwriter. Adding all togheter in my opinion she was the best music artist of all times, at least concerning jazz. She was so unique that there is nothing, absolutely nothing only 10% similar to her in the music. No one even tried to imitate her, because it is impossible.

[@mirfangu]

agreed! everything about amy is unique.

[@officesaredull]

Oh my. If she knew his plans for his birthday celebrations I am imagining her grinning from ear to ear! Gone but never forgotten X

[@jenniferj2456]

Everyone was so sorry. She didn't need sorry people. She needed people to care.

[@charlotteward6406]

lots of people did and tried desperately to help her but she was too far gone. She didn’t want to help herself and would constantly relapse.

[@carolinetheberge4671]

Blame is easy because ppl cannot easily accept tragedy, but really addiction is a beast no one can compare to another individual. The sickness that occurs is deep within and not everyone can get well. If we did it would be amazing grace!💕 RIP dear soul.🎶

[@beanstaIkjack]

When your heart is broken and you're depressed, no amount of caring people can unbreak it

[@jules8159]

@@charlotteward6406 Quite insensitive, there’s a reason why it’s called a disease. You probably didn’t know that

[@annettvanessaa]

Crying my eyes out. This is too emotional. Tony is strong.

[@theplourde]

God you can see he loved her and missing that chance just hurts him

[@mmeblaerlin5933]

Tony was a huge deal for Amy so to hear him speak so wonderfully fondly about her makes me so happy for her.

[@josh40jason]

Mr Bennett, you are the absolute definition of a gentleman. A pleasure to share the world with you.

[@gregwddriver]

When Tony talks, people listen.

[@annettvanessaa]

"Being an honest singer."

[@jazzman1626]

I wasn't a fan of Amy Winehouse until I saw a video of her sing with Tony Bennett. She was the modern Billie Holiday both in her voice and in the way she tragically died too soon. Apart from her voice, the best thing about watching her sing with Tony Bennett, is the way she looked so adoringly at him. When I searched for female jazz singers and Amy Winehouse's name kept coming up, I used to think "what's HER name here for, she's no jazz singer?" But now I know why. Yes, she IS! Leona Lewis who sang with Tony Bennet at his birthday concert just wasn't anywhere near the same class of singer as Amy Winehouse. It would have been better if Diana Krall replaced Leona Lewis. She could have played the piano as Tony Bennett sang.

[@nillabilla7313]

Listen to her first album and the covers she did. Her voice was truly amazing when she sang Jazz! I like her version of Moon River.

[@dundeedolphin]

A bad word has never left this man's mouth. A truly inspirational man and I am so grateful to have shared a planet with him.

[@FLOKADO]

“Sinned against his talent” that’s a powerful statement.

[@wicomms]

Yeah ...hit me just now...I can preach a sermon on just this one line .....

[@determined2win16]

This makes me happy, she looked up to Tony. Even Tony knew she was one of the best singers/Vocalist ever, so unique and an amazing songwriter at that. R.I.P Amy taken to soon, never forgotten.

[@mallaka8]

I will never forget hearing Amy sing 'Love is a losing game' for the first time. It affected me. I kept playing it over and over again. I couldn't believe the talent. All these years later and not a single month passes where I don't listen to that song. I can't think of another song that has had that affect on me. She opens her heart and soul on that song and it just drains me listening to it. But I love it.

[@tonyduncan9852]

Me too.

[@hosseinkhansarinejad9475]

I'm not really into putting comments and stuff but I just wanted to say that it was really fascinating that one of the the greatest of Amy's all time is talking about her. all I have to say is that Amy's astonishing voice and her beautiful character and her amazing songs will NEVER EVER be forgotten.

[@vinny57ish]

Tony Bennett is in his own world a king of music. He has out lived Both Dean Martin as well as old Blue eyes Frank Sinatra all them of which I also have deep admiration for . We should all be deeply grateful for this very classy artist to be among us .I have several Tony Bennett cd's in my personal music collection and yes being a native Bronx New Yorker ?? I love Tony ,Frank Deano and Louis Prima as well as many others out there...But Mr. Bennett is thee man He may have left his heart in San Francisco but his incredible voice is that of a real New Yorker. Grazie...for this post.

[@irada20]

Amy was wonderful. Deal with it ! She was loved by Mick Jagger, she was loved by Tony, she was loved by Erikah Badu and others. I don't know other todays artist who was loved so much by other respectful musicians.

[@firstname7186]

At least her dream came true before she past 😭😭💔♥️

[@AZIZ18691]

This song is so very beautiful. Amy and Tony brought me to tears and he is on point when speaking of her talent. She was a jazz artist.

[@lzclaudio1]

What an adorable true gentleman. The video of them singing together is so beautiful, so full of respect and kindness. She was a huge talent and a big loss for music ⭐️

[@sambrownsings]

He’s right about her having that old school jazz sensibility. It’s about the inside. All she ever wanted to be was a jazz singer and she was a great one.

[@audiophileman7047]

Here's an example of an opportunity lost, but it's hard to know or tell at the time. Tony shouldn't beat himself up over it too much. Even if he told her, it may have made no difference; Amy had deep and serious problems. Don't be afraid to tell someone you love them or to help them. You might not get the chance tomorrow.

[@YoMama9021]

I think he loved her

[@audiophileman7047]

@@YoMama9021 If he did, it was like a daughter and fellow artist.

[@elainebines6803]

We're so lucky to still have Tony with us

[@Jaydon05]

Really great interview! A real tribute from a legend to one of the best singers Amy Whinehouse.

[@dianarutherford1467]

Amy Winehouse! What a voice, what a talent! In a league of her own. My favourite song she recorded "The very thought of you'.

[@cherb23]

She was clean of illegal drugs for 3 years before she died. Sadly she was bulimic and a serious alcoholic from the age of 16.

[@annettvanessaa]

Thanks for pointing out her sobriety. She died from alcohol poisson (drunk as fuck) / Doctors after she died said she had a mental illness called "borderline personality disorder"

[@annettvanessaa]

She couldn't help being self-destructive, she needed proper help and she couldn't obviously get out on her own.

[@livvybeth2k187]

Yes but that rocky road of drugs I think lead her down such a dark path and then into a lot of drinking which sadly took her life

[@avarast]

Whats horrible with drugs, is that exess changes you and the way you see things and your health in a sometime permanent way. People can actually die from quitting heroin all at once when they used to take a lot.

[@kellykincaid2981]

it is our culture that vilifies drugs. as if it matters she was clean off the hard stuff. she was sick & suffering. food illnesses are harder to treat- you never have to be around heroin, you'll always have to be around food. her story is so tragic all around.

[@raytracy5906]

I firrst heard the "Take The Box" in a London radio station straight as it came out and thought it was a forgotten Dinah Washington tune.

[@jennifergirling6850]

Tony Bennett was right. Ami Winehouse had a special quality.humblev& loved jazz

[@springmorrison7267]

I agree wholeheartedly with what he said regarding Amy.. She was a real Gem Really

[@amandaoneill6040]

She would have loved to sing with Tony Bennett at his 85th

[@008Invisibleman]

cullycucc I know your comment was from two years ago... but i have to point out that though both Aaliyah and Amy were in the beginning of their careers, Aaliyah had nothing to compare with Amy. Aaliyah didn't write any (Not even ONE song if you go and check) of her music. Amy wrote all the lyrics and most of her music by herself. And Aaliyah had a very limited vocal range and ability, whereas Amy on a good day could blow most singers these days out of the water. Comparing Aaliyah to Amy is just foolish

[@josafiya]

Most intelligent analysis of Amy I've seen as yet, thanks. Diane's comment doesn't even warrant a response, but you handled it beautifully anyway.

[@RKoen2006]

Tony knows what he is talking about he is right and is a living legend!

[@steveb6441]

Hear hear tony!!! one of our very best

[@malchick8918]

Amy was so awesome, love and miss her so much

[@terzelrasmus-williams2530]

This just reminds me that when you know someone whom you deeply love and admire is struggling with an addiction or any mental illness that threatens their will to live, you must tell them when its on your heart that you love them and need them. You must tell them they are worthy enough to live. I battled with addiction and suicidal thoughts most of my life - If I did not have someone tell me that they care for me; that I am worthy to live, I would not be here today. We must never underestimate what our love for another human being can do for another.

[@lizmunt9116]

I love Amy darling beautiful little lady. R. I. P. Xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx

[@DmPmRr1959]

R.I.P., Tony Bennett. I hope you are somewhere crooning with Amy.

[@stephaniestanley8041]

So true Tony. Amy was a diamond 💎.

[@adriancolon8435]

Example that if you have something to tell someone do it because you may never get a chance to.

El longevo intérprete aprovechó la oportunidad para resaltar el gran talento artístico de la diva del soul. “Desde Elvis Presley, The Beatles y The Rolling Stones, ella fue la única cantante capaz de cantar, como yo lo llamo, como debe ser”.

[@alexlundell2947]

Thanks

[@conradchallis2164]

... enunciation,notation,diction and phaseing are the four main disciplines of vocalisation that only one has truly possesed in abundance. 🎼🎶🎙👌

[@deniseireland6154]

God bless Tony!

[@KnocksX]

I love interviews that I can take something away from. Don't sin against your talent.

[@dhg6772]

Heartbreaking.

[@benjamin6492]

she sure had the ears and definately the voice r.i.p.amy

[@laramargelich6982]

Podía escucharlo en ese disco y fue una lástima para mí porque me gustó Tanto y yo estaba viajando

[@KingAeetes]

Of course, Tony Bennett should know, and he does know. He's right. Amy was fabulous!

[@chrispy104k]

Tony is a true gentleman. So sad that Amy is no longer with us. No question that he loved her dearly.

[@jacquiehosey1029]

Dayum. If only she’d have known, it very well might have changed it all. Y’all don’t ever wait we’re not promised tomorrow. Make that call make that visit, tell that person something you’ve felt you needed to say. Put yourself first too, or at least do the thing you keep saying you’ll do when u slow down year after year. DONT WAIT! On anything. ( and I need to take my own advise, my life is living me, and I want so much to live life. So many commitments and obligations and no clone machine....... dayum I hate it when that happens).

[@mariaeltrudesbuettgenbuett7694]

♥️♥️♥️

[@amandaoneill6040]

High praise indeed and she would have likely listened to a man she so admired. Rip Amy

[@pedrocoates960]

❤️

[@user-sh1gc1ze6w]

so sad watching this

[@michellem3441]

He's brilliant and insightful and a gentleman. My Nonie wasn't wrong in her tastes.

[@colinvannbohemen11]

Yes after hearing her collaboration with Tony I have to say...she was up there with Billie. what a huge loss of musical talent.

[@RMGCBG]

Amy was an Ella or Billie. She was that good

[@stephenord3403]

Beautiful man, beautiful woman. Tallent is Tallent, end of

[@jazzman1626]

+Alex Lundell I tried to 'like' your post but the only option given was 'report'. I wish You Tube would sort that out.

[@javier-vb5485]

Noticed the 17th letter in the background

[@califcamper]

At the end of the day folks, its about longevity, whatever you do, if its gonna kill you, ya better know the dosage, the effects, the mixture, and especially about moderation. I once heard Milton Berle say it "Moderation", never too much of anything, just alot of little kills"....I miss Amy...

[@amsterdamgirl]

@cullycucc It doesn't matter, I think Amy was kinda like a female version of Michael Jackson, she could sing every genre, she even pulled of doing reggae. For example you have amazing vocalists like Mariah Carey or Freddie Mercury, but they can't/couldn't pull off every genre, Amy could.

[@crhu319]

Floor Jansen.

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

Plus she was a trained guitarist, and wrote the words and melody to her songs. Just astonishing.

[@tonyduncan9852]

Ears. Honesty. Yep.

[@YoMama9021]

He’s talking about soul. She had soul.

[@andysmith6156]

Nothing Tony or anyone would have said could have changed what was going on with her. I love Tony but he's just not that powerful when it comes to addiction. Her change had to come from within. SHE had to make the choice. Frothy emotional appeal never suffices. All respect to Tony and many who tried to help her, addiction is horrible and just as much so for those who are family and friends. God bless Amy Winehouse she is Legend.

[@alexlundell2947]

I dont think anyone can judge how a person deals with mental illness, especially given the venom of the ever-reaching British press. Her drink filled, drug induced mistakes are irrelevant to the work she produced, and that work was stunning. Only two albums and yet she changed the direction of music profoundly. You seem to be angry at her personal life which we really dont know about and cannot judge, yet what is important is her music, and not some bitter rant about her mistakes

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

Alex, when you say "you" and being angry, who are you referring to? Kind of late, but I'd like to know.

[@amsterdamgirl]

Yeah that's why I said that Amy was more versatile than Freddie and Mariah etc. I also consider her as one of the greatest, together with MJ. I'm a huge Queen fan, and Freddie had a great technique to his voice (maybe the best), but when he tried to go solo and was trying to do pop/dance music & soul, that is when he couldn't pull it off with just technique, u need ''soul'' and so I decided MJ was the greatest male artist lol, cause he had a nicer and soulful sound imo. Ditto for Amy.

[@Topshelf-jl5vi]

"the whole facility" is about how I'd describe it as well.

[@ChristinaGina]

He could have saved her if he told her about the duet on stage. That would have been her dream.

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

we don't know about "saving", and perhaps after the session they did he didn't have an immediate chance to speak with her, it's not all about if he was there, she could have been harder to get to.

[@marysalvi242]

wow, "sinned against his talent" It was just last year I found out that Mr Bennett had drug problems - I "think' and surely hope if he had a talk with her she would have stopped. Then again, her own dad with as much admiration for Tony has such a narcistic nature he would have just naturally brushed off whatever advice that would have been given. Her family dynamics was that of such denial. I've gotten over now that her parent's combination just was not enough and they lost their daughter, very sad. 💔

[@stephenfinn3937]

We all have our demos take it from me moderation I the key

[@bobknobification]

Tony Bennett has a wicked tan!

[@MsWordsmith08]

Everybody judges everybody: that is human nature. Whinehouse gave up the right to a private life when she herself blurred the lines between her private and public life.

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

I differ when it comes to public figures. It doesn't mean they have to give us their WHOLE life. They already give us their talent and also appear for the public a lot. But it's not fair or kind the way the paparazzi hounded her. She was fragile, never wanted that kind of stress. Their people first, not beholding to us at that level.

[@mikewebster5597]

I have a few regrets in life. One is not seeing Amy in concert in London when I had a chance. A unique voice gone too soon.

[@Bobby007D]

Amy Winehouse threw herself into her singing! Tragic loss.

[@rhp_6926]

'He sinned against his talent'.

[@maxefex4479]

Ears"

[@cinnamongirl5410]

coulda woulda shoulda after every death... we all do that famous or no

[@steverdms]

He's what comes after the word legend is no longer potent enough to apply.

[@Chrosome]

I think Mariah Carey and Freddy are not any better than Mrs Winehouse. I personally love her voice and consider it one of the greatest I've ever heard. For me Whintey Houston, Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse and Freddy Mercury are the greatest vocalists.

[@crhu319]

Go see who the vocal coaches are reacting to. You will enjoy what you find. Your heroes are not forgotten and dozens are as good as they are now. Not maybe hundreds. But dozens. Go find them all.

[@jacquelinejuneau5962]

The odd thing is.... just for a brief moment, she lost all confidence in herself in the presence of this magnificent man. I'm so sad she didn't know she could have been with him on stage. I come from a nest of musicians, I know how it works. In those days coke and musicians went together. - that and "refer" heroine God knows what else. My grandfather had to audition Ann Margaret in Kansas City - as a matter of fact, I found out from my Aunt just a few days ago that she spent time in their little apartment. Entertainers for the most part drive me insane. They don't even understand their own greatness until they get to heaven Grrr

[@NataliVeronicaGermanotta]

#tonybennett #wink unknown

[@esthaltap9499]

Horrible.. His boyfriend was a big big toxic!!! She was influenzed by him... They broke down... But always she came back..... What a pity

[@irishofling2300]

big tragedy about her

[@JudythFoltz]

:'(

[@normadesmond6017]

I agree with Tony Bennett. But he was also a big drug user in his time. And Amy dying of drugs and booze, it's more then tragic. But it could have happened to him as well.

[@dm19609721]

Too bad Jian Ghomeshi didn't learn any class from one of the last true masters!

[@dcxxx6850]

“How do you know when someone is a great singer ?” …. You hear it … duh

[@lindak990]

Seems like ALL celebrities did drugs...what gives!?

[@MsWordsmith08]

What the fuck?

[@MJLeger-yj1ww]

People, including other artists, ALWAYS build up a dead person to a degree greater than they really were, but then, people can fool other people, every day. She did NOT compare to Ella Fitzgerald, and druggie, Billie Holiday left a lot to be desired, but was without a lot of competition in her day, her hoarse voice appealed to people though.

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

Tony and other greats said wonderful things about Amy's talent way before she passed.

[@ellastar6356]

I def disagree. And wonder if you’ve followed her up at all. She is an amazing musician out of the gates from a young age. With phenomenal ability to capture an audience. She was recognized for her talent as a singer song writer way before she passed. I’m pretty sure that’s one of the reasons Tony Bennet invited her on the album ;)

[@ellastar6356]

Sadly I didn’t come to know Amy’s music thru her life or death. Not until about 7 years after she left this earth when I became more interested in music did she cross my radar. I of course heard her music on the radio but passed it off as pop and really didn’t dive in til much much later….

[@shangerboy]

Amy who?

[@MsWordsmith08]

I can't say I'm sorry. Yes, she had talent but her flame flickered out long ago. If it hadn't she would have had more self-respect than stumbling on stage in a stupor and hurling drunken abuse at her fans when she nearly nodded off in the middle of a show. Portishead is so much more talented and deserving that Whine-house but no one ever gives her credit. "Sour Times" puts to shame anything AW did. As usual, the chaff gets all the credit and the wheat is left to rot.

[@thomaslewis7621]

Aprille J. Rhomer heartless human

[@crhu319]

You can love both artists without insulting the dead. She was troubled, sure. Let her rest.