A road in north London could potentially be named in honor of Amy Winehouse.
In Kings Cross, London, residents are being invited to propose names for a newly created street within an area undergoing redevelopment for housing, which is situated near Winehouse’s old residence in Camden. While other suggested names include acknowledgments of notable figures such as Great Expectations author Charles Dickens and Frankenstein creator Mary Shelley, Winehouse enthusiasts have put forth the name ‘Winehouse Street’ for consideration.
Support for this initiative has come from Winehouse’s father, Mitch, who remarked, “It’s remarkable to think our surname would be linked forever with London due to a street named after Amy. We are a London family through and through, and it would be an immense honor if we became a literal part of this great city’s history.”
However, one might ponder whether naming a street after her sends the wrong impression. Her incredible talent is not in question, but she battled addiction. Should she truly be hailed as a hero? It seems we’ve stopped idolizing musicians who struggled with uncontrollable addictions.
How does she compare to eminent writers like Charles Dickens and Mary Shelley, whose works have endured the test of time? Will we still discuss Amy Winehouse in a century? I hope so, but for all the right reasons. At this moment, deeming her worthy of a street name feels premature. Even you, Mitch, must recognize that her legacy needs to prove itself over time.
In recent news, a work-in-progress statue of Amy Winehouse, slated for Camden, was unveiled last month. The sculpture, crafted by artist Scott Eaton, is expected to debut in 2014. Additionally, Winehouse will be celebrated with the upcoming opening of Camden’s new Walk of Fame later this year.
Recently, it has also been announced that a new documentary about Winehouse, directed by the filmmaker behind Senna—which chronicled the life of Formula One driver Ayrton Senna before his tragic death in 1994—will be in the works. James Gay-Rees, known for producing the Banksy documentary Exit Through The Gift Shop, is involved in the Amy Winehouse project, with Focus Features International anticipated to present the film to studios at the forthcoming Cannes Film Festival.
by Milo Johnson
