Amy Winehouse cancels part of European tour, singer 'cannot perform to the best of her ability'
The news that Amy Winehouse has canceled part of her European tour is a blow to the fans patiently awaiting her comeback. Seeing the reason behind the cancellations, however, makes for a heartbreaking confirmation that the embattled singer doesn't seem ready for the stage and appears to be on the losing end of her battle against sobriety.
Winehouse was in the Serbian capital of Belgrade this last weekend, kicking off what was supposed to be a 12-date European tour. As a slew of embarrassing videos showcasing her erratic onstage behavior show, the performance was a disaster.
In one YouTube clip, the singer stumbles through "Just Friends." Her eyes heavily glazed, she can barely stand upright and she rattles off a band introduction as she slurs the lyrics to the tracks.
Winehouse was booed both for her poor performance and her tardiness, and has canceled appearances in Istanbul (where she was scheduled to perform Monday) and in Athens on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. Her representatives said it would be "worked out as soon as possible" as to whether or not she would resume the rest of the tour.
"Despite feeling sure that she wanted to fulfill these commitments, she has agreed with management that she cannot perform to the best of her ability and will return home," the statement read, adding that she "feels that this is the right thing to do."
Enraged audience members walked out on the singer, and the term "hard-earned money" couldn't be truer for her Serbian fans. Tickets to the show cost about 40 euros ($57), a pretty penny in the country where average salaries are around 300 euros ($428) a month.
Rather than show the disastrous performances, check out Winehouse at her finest below; if you prefer seeing the Serbian trainwreck gig, click here.
ALSO:
Summer concert preview: A selective list of the season's must-see shows
Album review: PJ Harvey's 'Let England Shake'
-- Gerrick D. Kennedy
twitter.com/gerrickkennedy
Photo: Amy Winehouse performing at the Glastonbury Festival in England in 2008. Credit: Ben Stansall / AFP / Getty Images
Is anybody managing this artist?Are the people around her just enablers.? She is obviously ill. It is very sad to see her stumble on stage. A very talented artist in deep personal turmoil and self-destruction. Keeping good thoughts for her recovery. Addiction is just a symptom of profound unwellness.
Posted by: Nemir49 | June 20, 2011 at 01:29 PM
"...appears to be on the losing end of her battle against sobriety."
One hopes that the battle is against addiction, but this would explain a few things.
I wish her strength.
Posted by: -k- | June 20, 2011 at 01:40 PM
>the embattled singer ...appears to be on the losing end of her battle against sobriety...
Actually, if it's truly a battle *against* sobriety that she's fighting, she appears to be, sadly, winning it.
Posted by: Bud Smith | June 20, 2011 at 01:46 PM
Sex, drugs and no Rock and Roll!
Posted by: marcus | June 20, 2011 at 01:52 PM
"on the losing end of her battle against sobriety".
Is that really how you wanted to word that?
Posted by: Literate | June 20, 2011 at 02:11 PM
Can't this poor soul's parents commit her, take custody of her, like Britney's parents did, and save her life?
Posted by: emm305 | June 20, 2011 at 03:17 PM
Looks like it's back to rehab. Does the attempt ever really works ? Not...evidently.
Posted by: niki | June 20, 2011 at 03:32 PM
did somebody photoshop the hair off her 'pits?
Posted by: 2 cents | June 20, 2011 at 04:21 PM