Amy Winehouse compared fame to “terminal cancer”.
The late ‘Rehab’ singer – who died at the age of 27 in 2011 as a result of alcohol poisoning – went through a series of personal struggles amid her massively successful music career and now her best friend, housemate and fellow musician Tyler James is conflicted as to whether he wants to live a quiet life or pursue showbusiness again.
He told The Saturday Times: “Part of me feels lost and that I’ve run away. Amy used to say, ‘Fame is like terminal cancer. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone,’ and that sticks with me.
“So I am always caught in this dilemma of living a normal, mundane life [he lives on a farm in rural Ireland, an hour outside Galway], yet part of me thinks she’d want me to make something of my life again — to be creative and perform in some way.”
The ‘Foolish’ singer – who met the ‘Back to Black’ legend when they were in their late teens and lived with in Camden until her death – admitted that he does “miss” life in the North London town and has considered moving back there as he reflected on being “lost” without his friend.
He said: “There’s a lot to do. I do miss pounding the pavements.
“Yes, I’ve finally started to think that maybe I should face up to things and come back to London. It’s taken this long. I still can’t really listen to Amy’s songs if they come on the radio.
“My early years with her were the madness of being teens. My twenties were supporting Amy through her fame. My thirties were about grieving, and now “I’m in my forties, perhaps I’m going to have to start being more true to myself.
“For a good ten years I’ve been lost without her. I don’t know what I’ll do though.”