Mark Ronson honored Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black with a special 20th anniversary performance in London on October 21. Having co-produced the singer’s Grammy-winning 2006 album alongside Salaam Remi, the 51-year-old producer praised her musical talent, saying, “Amy’s musicality, she was like a monster.”
Mark Ronson praises Amy Winehouse’s musical genius at the Back to Black 20th-anniversary concert
Winehouse died at 27 on July 23, 2011. She was found at her home in Camden, London, and her death was later attributed to accidental alcohol poisoning. Beyond her powerful vocals and emotionally honest lyrics, the singer was recognized for her iconic beehive hairstyle and dramatic eye makeup. Her best-known hits include Rehab and Back to Black.
During the event at London’s Roundhouse in Camden, Ronson shared his memories of working with the singer and praised her intricate songwriting. The 51-year-old Grammy and Academy Award-winning record producer said before performing Love Is a Losing Game alongside Yebba, “Amy’s musicality, she was like a monster, and I definitely want everybody to know that,” reports People.
He further explained, “The chords were so complicated and jazzy, I was like, ‘Man, you just play this song. I don’t even know what I’m doing right now.’ So she did … We’re going to play it the way Amy first played it to me, and I’m going to try to finally play these complicated, jazzy chords for the first time in my life.”
The evening began with Ronson and Corinne Bailey Rae performing the title track from Back to Black. The show also featured Sasha Keable’s rendition of Just Friends, Nia Smith’s performance of Tears Dry on Their Own, and Skye Newman’s soulful take on Addicted. Terri Walker took on Me & Mr. Jones, while Lianne La Havas performed You Know I’m No Good. Jorja Smith sang Some Unholy War, while FLO brought a fresh take to He Can Only Hold Her.
