Tony Bennett + Amy Winehouse’s Parents Accept 2012 Best Pop Duo / Group Grammy
Dave Hogan / Larry Busacca, Getty Images
Amy Winehouse accepted a posthumous Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for her duet with Tony Bennett, ‘Body and Soul.’ Amy’s parents, Mitch and Janis Winehouse, accepted her trophy for her following an understated introduction from Bennett.Bennett didn’t give an acceptance speech, but Mitch and Janis Winehouse orated in honor of their fallen daughter.
“We formed the Amy Winehouse Foundation in her name,” Mitch said of his daughter. “Our job is to help children in her name, primarily in the United Kingdom and the U.S.A. … There’s lots of kids in the U.S.A. and the U.K. that need Amy’s help and your help,” he said.
Mitch then shared a touching Grammy story about his daughter. “She [usually] never got excited about this kind of thing,” Mitch revealed. “She wasn’t allowed to come here because of visa problems, but she was so excited. Then when she got one, two, three, four Grammys … when she heard the announcement for Best Pop Vocal Album and they just said, ‘The winner is Amy Winehouse,’ it was like liftoff,” Mitch said, beaming. “It meant so much to her, and Tony’s collaboration has meant so much to her — and she was so excited about ‘Body and Soul,’ because it’s her favorite song.”
Mitch said that when he asked Amy if she knew the words, she replied, “Of course I know the words. You’ve been singing this song for 25 years.”
Amy’s mother, Janis, had brief, but just as effective message: “Amy is with me,” Janis said softly, “and always will be with me. She will be with all of us.”
Congratulations to Tony Bennett and to Amy Winehouse’s fans, survivors and supporters. We only wish she were still here to celebrate her victory and grace our ears once again.
