Celebrity photographer Richard Young has offered a poignant glimpse into his time with the late Amy Winehouse, recalling the night she triumphed at the Grammy Awards. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, Young described his experience photographing the iconic singer when she was unable to attend the US ceremony in person, and revealed a deep affection for her.
A Memorable Grammy Night with Amy Winehouse
Young, renowned for his captivating portraits of stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Mick Jagger, and Princess Diana throughout the 1970s and 80s, was contacted by Universal Music's PR team to document Winehouse's potential Grammy success. "I loved her dearly," Young stated, recounting how he was on his way to a hotel when the call came, inviting him to Hammersmith's Riverside Studios where Winehouse was present.
The atmosphere was charged with anticipation. Winehouse's mother, Janis, was also there, and shared a lighthearted moment with Young. "She said 'Richard, you look very hungry. Have another bagel'," Young recalled. Amy's playful retort, "He's fat enough as it is, he can't have another bagel," highlighted the warm and familiar dynamic within the group, despite Young's admission of being "a little bit overweight" at the time.
The evening culminated in a historic win for Winehouse, who secured an astonishing five Grammy Awards. Young described her reaction as one of sheer amazement. "She was absolutely amazed by the whole thing. And she was on such great form. It was so lovely to be working with her." The photographer captured a truly breathtaking image of the night: Winehouse embracing her mother on stage, with Janis visibly moved to tears. "I got this most incredible photograph where her mother is crying and she's in the arms of Amy Winehouse, her daughter. And it was just so beautiful," Young said.
'Rehab' as a Desert Island Disc
Reflecting on the significance of the night and his connection to Winehouse, Young chose her Grammy-winning hit "Rehab" as one of his desert island discs. He explained that the song "tells the story of the night," encapsulating the complex narrative surrounding Winehouse's career and personal struggles, yet also celebrating her undeniable talent and success.
A Career Built on Connection
Young's ability to forge genuine connections with his subjects has been a hallmark of his illustrious career. He spoke of his friendships with musicians like Freddie Mercury and George Harrison, and his particularly warm relationship with Diana, Princess of Wales. "My relationship with Princess Diana was actually very, very nice," he shared, highlighting a favourite photograph of her in a black Elizabeth Emanuel dress from early in her public life.
His journey into photography began unconventionally. Expelled from school at 14, alongside his best friend Mark Feld (later known as Marc Bolan of T. Rex), Young developed a deep love for musicians, driven by his own aspirations to be one. This passion undoubtedly informed his approach to capturing artists in their element.
The Power of Storytelling in Photography
The photographer's Desert Island Discs selections, including "Cosmic Dancer" by T. Rex and "Positively 4th Street" by Bob Dylan, were all artists with whom he had personal connections. "Most of these artists I've chosen today to play, I've had some kind of personal relationship and personal contact with, and they accepted me into their homes, into their work environment and everything else," he explained. This mutual respect and access allowed him to create some of his most enduring images.
Young emphasised the core principle that guides his work: "The most important thing about a photograph is, if it doesn't tell a story, then it's not really worth having." Over his 52-year career, he has navigated the complexities of celebrity and artistry, experiencing both regrets and profound satisfaction. "A lot of people know that they can trust me and they like me, so I've been very, very fortunate," he concluded, underscoring the trust and rapport that have enabled him to capture indelible moments in cultural history.