“Did anyone really care that Amy Winehouse died?” “I think the world is tired of all these druggies and what happens to them.” “She was already dead inside.” The detestable and daft remarks on the late soul singer’s death litter social network pages, blogs, and Yahoo Answers. “Why would anyone be sad that the world is short one more junkie?” It happens every time a musician with addictions dies. People seem to think that because they were addicts, nobody should morn them. As if their drug abuse diminished their talent, lessened their artistic value, or changes the amount of people who truly love them and their music.

Amy Winehouse died on July 23rd at 27 years old, joining far too many other talented musicians in the romanticized “27 club.” Like Hendrix, Joplin, Jones, Morrison, and Cobain before her, Winehouse had immense talent. She had her fair share of problems and was a seemingly tortured soul, but was an amazing soul singer all the same. She opened doors for acts like Adele and reintroduced jazz to the younger generations. She was a true, beautiful artist and hearts are still broken over her absence.

As sad and unfair as her death may seem, one can easily forget the pain on a night like August 26th, 2011, when Nextdoor nightclub in Honolulu hosted a live tribute concert for Winehouse who, “left us way too soon.”

Soul singers from all over the island came out to sing their favorite Winehouse songs and a band of talented musicians was formed specially for the event to back them. Singers included Big Mox, Candy Diaz, Taimane Gardner, Kitty Chow, Kasi Nunes, Makke Farley, and Yoza. Singer Kasi Nunes was responsible for putting on the event sharing that after she found out Winehouse died, she immediately knew she wanted to put on something to commemorate her- and she did a great job doing so.

The club was absolutely filled with people the night of the show and outside there was a line wrapped around the block to get in. “I think all of Waikiki is here,” a fan said. There was an ample amount of women dressed like Winehouse, their hair bee-hived, their eye liner winged, and of course their “Fuck me Pumps” on and ready for dancing.

The Bentos opened the tribute concert warming up the crowed with fun jazzy beats. Everyone crowded the dim-lite stage, drinks in hand, while more people shuffled in to the already abounded club pushing themselves against the walls to fit. By the time the backing band for the tribute concert was getting ready onstage, there was standing room only towards the front of the club.

The live band was complete with guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, back up vocals and a horn section. The singers rotated every song, each immensely talented and immensely in love with Winehouse and her music.

With each vocalist the energy of the show seemed to get greater. The crowd got wilder with each drink, and everyone in sight sang along to every haunting lyric. Being surrounded by people with the powerful common love of the same enticing artist was a beautiful moment to say the least. When Candy Diaz got onstage and sang “Valerie” the happiness that filled the room was almost overwhelming, when Kasi Nunes got up and sang “You Know I’m No Good” hearts and goosebumps lifted, and when Yoza ended the night by singing “Back to Black” tears and eyeliner ran.

The night as a whole was the perfect way to get the closure everyone needed. Getting together to celebrate the artist they all truly loved, listening to her agonizing and tender music, drinking to her memory, was all very heart warming. She will never be forgotten, and neither will that night.

It is hugely sad that Amy had to go so young and early in her career. It is also sad how some will end up remembering her. They will remember the white powder left in her nostril, her bare feet as she walked around Camden, her public intoxication, her cancelled shows. However there will still be those that remember her for what she truly is- beautiful. They will remember her alluring voice, her enchantingly tormented soul, and her powerful music. They will recognize her talent and keep her in their hearts always. In that way she will always be around. In that way she will live forever. May she rest in peace with the love that abounds her.