5. Amy Winehouse
Her death still hits a raw nerve with many, and rightfully so, for Britain lost its most prodigious contemporary artist when Amy Winehouse passed away on 23 July, 2011. Her career only produced two albums during her lifetime, but they were both shining examples of the young singers incredible vocal technique, a real throwback to other inspirational singers before her such as Billy Holliday and The Shangri-Las. Born in Southgate, London, on September 14 1983, Amy Jade Winehouse was destined to be famous from a young age, finding herself at the Sylvia Young Theatre School. Upon the release of her debut album, Frank (2003), a pastiche of R&B, Jazz and Blues, the British music scene was swiftly made aware that a real talent had arrived. Her voice was welcomingly unique in a period where airbrushed, over-primped singers were dominating the charts and hogging the headlines, and many a critic was impressed with Winehouses voice as it was reminiscent of the golden generation of female vocalists. Unfortunately, the headlines Winehouse began to court were slowly chipped away at her reputation, especially after the release of her magnificently heart rendering second album, Back to Black (2006). Her career will be remembered for its rapid ascendency, just as quickly followed by a dramatic decline, but within a short period Winehouse made music that nobody will ever forget.