London's Camden council this week unveiled a statue of Amy Winehouse on what would have been the singer's 31st birthday.
The statue stands outside Camden's Stables Market, close to the house where Winehouse died of alcohol poisoning in 2011.
Her father, Mitch Winehouse, told the Guardian newspaper: "I had a meeting with Camden council and they told me they don't usually allow statues until 20 years after someone has died, but in Amy's case they made an exception."
 Amy Winehouse: a true icon of music in the noughties |
The fact the council did make an exception is hugely important.
It's evidence of Winehouse's impact on the music scene of the noughties. Her incredible voice, the classic sounds of her songs, her vulnerable personality.
The word "icon" is used so much today that it has lost all meaning. Yet here is a true icon of her times.
How many celebrities can you recognise simply from their silhouette? Not many. But with her wiry frame and beehive hairdo - modelled on 60s girl group the Ronettes - Winehouse is definitely one.
The statue is also evidence of the emotional pull that the tragic and early death of a much-loved star can have on the public. The early deaths of James Dean, Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana have all, in part, made people romanticise about these figures.
So what am I saying?
Name any pop star or band that made their name in the last 10 years. With few exceptions, none will have the enduring appeal of an Elvis, the Beatles or a Madonna.
But Amy Winehouse is different. The timeless nature of her songs and her tragic life story ensure that we will be listening to her music and remembering her in 20, 30, 40 years' time.
Which means there will be a long-term market for the scarce few items of her memorabilia and autographs that exist today.
How scarce?
With such a short life - and brief career in the spotlight - Winehouse simply did not sign many autographs, and only wore comparatively few outfits on stage, to use just two examples.
Which means today's values could look very small indeed by the singer's 50th birthday in 2033.
Next steps
If Amy Winehouse memorabilia sounds of interest, do let me know the kind of thing you're after.
I pride myself on sourcing even the hardest to find pieces of memorabilia.
Email me on info@paulfrasercollectibles.com or call +44 (0) 117 933 9500.
Thanks for reading,
Paul
PS. You can see all our music autographs for sale here
