Ronnie Wood, guitarist for The Rolling Stones, has recounted the advice he gave to the late singer Amy Winehouse when she sought his help for her struggles with alcohol.
"Everyone knows you've got vodka in the water bottle. Get it together and get on stage," Wood told Winehouse when she expressed her difficulties, as detailed in a recent interview with The Sunday Times Culture Magazine. He added that while it was "great" when she could perform, he was saddened that her life was cut short, comparing the loss to "saying goodbye to Billie Holiday again."
Winehouse died in 2011 at the age of 27 from alcohol poisoning. Reports from two inquests indicated her blood-alcohol content was five times over the legal drink-drive limit at the time of her death. She had been in and out of treatment for drug and alcohol dependency and struggled with withdrawal symptoms and anxiety.
The Rolling Stones have paid tribute to Winehouse on their new album, "Foreign Tongues," with an interpretation of her song "You Know I'm No Good." The band previously performed with Winehouse at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2007. Guitarist Keith Richards has expressed regret that he did not get to know her better.
Wood mentioned that he always felt he would encounter Winehouse again down the road, but "unfortunately no." He stated, "I'm just very glad and honoured to have played with her at least once."
The Rolling Stones are scheduled to release their 25th album on July 10. However, the band has indicated there are currently no plans for a world tour to support the record, citing Keith Richards' reluctance for extended travel.
Winehouse's struggle with substance abuse was well-documented. Her father, Mitch Winehouse, made efforts to help her overcome her addiction. Her former husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, has been identified in the past as someone who introduced her to heroin. However, in a recent interview, Fielder-Civil stated that Winehouse had already experimented with drugs, including cocaine, before they met. He also maintained that he never encouraged her drug use, likening the offer to try something to offering a friend a beer.
Fielder-Civil was serving a prison sentence when he was informed of Winehouse's death. He recalled that they had spoken shortly before her passing and were discussing the possibility of reconciliation. He stated that learning of her death was the moment he realized those plans would not materialize, though he has since moved on with his life.