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Back around 40 years ago when Janis Joplin was popular, there wasn't the continual bombardment day after day from the media about her battles with her drug addiction/alcoholism demons--we just knew she put out some awesome music, & we loved listening to her sing. We rarely knew, cared or obsessed about how much she abused herself, even though we may have had an inkling about it at the time. Her music was our focus, & it transcended above everythig else. When she died, it was a shock to most of us.
It's a shame that today in this instant internet tabloid culture, we become more exposed to Amy's self-destructive antics BEFORE we experience her as the talented, singer/artist that she is--unfortunately coloring any previous perception we may have of her, & instantly equating her worth or lumping her in with the far less talented manufactured pop twits polluting the airwaves. It's a shame because she's one of the best young singers I've heard in a very long time. I hope she survives & somehow manages to get her life together, but if she doesn't, it won't come as a shock.
