i first heard about amy winehouse when i heard her song "rehab" then i listened to the lyrics ... i knew then she was circling the drain. what is it with music/showbiz that just self destructs people? I feel it is actually the other way around: these people become the artists they are because they were already troubled. Their pain or issues are frequently the thing that causes them to seek an outlet and music is one of them. The downside of that reality is that it usually doesn't help the issue it only makes it worse. I don't doubt that if you look at most of those great names, you will find similarities.
