NEW YORK (AFP)
The father of late British singer Amy Winehouse details his
daughter's cycle of drug and alcohol abuse in a new memoir due on
bookshelves Tuesday in the United States.
Mitch Winehouse's "Amy, My Daughter" includes "exclusive,
never-before-seen photos and paints an open and honest portrait
of one of the greatest musical talents of our time," said
publisher HarperCollins.
The US book launch comes ahead of its July 5 publication in
Britain, where the "Back to Black" star was found dead at her
north London flat in July 2011. Investigators said Winehouse, 27,
had died of alcohol poisoning.
In the 320-page biography, Mitch Winehouse "offers an inside view
of Amy's life as she lived it, putting to rest once and for all
the controversies that have long surrounded her," said
HarperCollins.
It said the elder Winehouse was the soul singer's "closest
adviser, her inspiration and best friend," and promised an
"intimate and tender account" in the memoir.
"He describes the realities of her dependencies and the toll they
took on the family and friends who refused to give up on her,"
HarperCollins added.
The memoir will also include previously unpublished photographs
of the soul diva whose sudden death came as a tragedy for
millions of fans.
"There's so much to take away from it -- to let people know what
a wonderful girl she was, a normal girl and how addiction can
afflict any family as loving as ours," Mitch Winehouse told MSNBC
television's website last month.
"My family is the most loving family. Addiction can affect all
families and the important thing is to let parents know not to
feel guilt."
A former taxi driver, Mitch Winehouse is a jazz singer. He
created the Amy Winehouse Foundation after his daughter's death
to help young people in need, due to ill health, disability,
financial disadvantage or addiction.
He has said all book sale proceeds will go toward the foundation.
