Bruno Mars and Russell Brand pay tribute to Amy Winehouse

August 29th, 2011

Michelle

Last night at the MTV Video Music Awards, a special tribute was planned in honor of the late Amy Winehouse, headed by Russell Brand and Bruno Mars. Brand wrote a moving letter in remembrance of Winehouse, describing how he watched her rise to fame and felt connected to her because they both struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction.

Brand also took note of Winehouse’s incredible, unmistakable voice:

This is not just another London chancer, not just another person milling about waiting to be famous. What is this incredible sound? This timeless sound like a roar from the guts of humanity? The kind of voice that Billie Holiday sung with, the kind of voice that Ella Fitzgerald sung with.

After Brand had concluded, Bruno Mars took the stage for a 1950’s style performance of the Winhouse’s cover of the Zutons’ song “Valerie.” During the performance, Adele was seen to be singing along in her seat. Mars ended the song with a shoutout to Winehouse:

Say Amy, oh Amy/ I love you darling, I love you darling/ Say Amy, whoa Amy, we’ll miss you baby.

Tony Bennet also came to pay tribute to the singer, showing some never-before-seen footage of the two recording “Body and Soul” at Abbey Road Studios for his upcoming Duets II album. The single and video for the song will be released on Winehouse’s birthday, September 14, in support of the Amy Winehouse Foundation.

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