She only had one international release. She never grew as an artist and, I think it's obvious now, was never going to. She spent the last four years of her life living off that 2nd release and obviously had nothing left in the tank. Her publlic performances were a disgrace. People keep calling her a legend but must be because there is so little genuine talent out there today that she stands out. Maybe 30 years ago, she might not have even been noticed.

The greatest singer ever was Sarah Vaughan. Winehouse was nowhere close to her. She would have had to evolve as an artist to have any hope of it and she wasn't capable of it. Dying young was the best thing that could have happened for her. If she lived another 20 years, she would not have made another album, would have retired from the stage in disgrace (already had, pretty much) and would have died strung out and forgotten.

As far as new talent goes, all there is is Esperanza Spalding. Now SHE is already a legend as far as I'm concerned and one of the best bass-players that ever lived. 3 Cds out already and another in the works. She could make it as just a singer if she wanted to. She writes her stuff, produces her own stuff, her bass production values are among the best I've ever heard--someone who understands the special sound of a double bass and knows exactly how to capture it. And there's no baggage. Although I think that might count against her. People don't care about pure music today--it's all cult of personality and there must be baggage. How else could Winehouse and Michael Jackson be such total train-wrecks and still be called "legends"?