Poor Amy Winehouse

SCOTT SIMON, host:

This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Scott Simon.

(Soundbite of song, "Rehab")

Ms. AMY WINEHOUSE (Singer): (Singing) They tried to make me go to rehab. I said no, no, no.

SIMON: Did the folks who turned out for Amy Winehouse's concert in Birmingham, England, this week think they were going to see Julie Andrews?

The Brit singer with the climbing beehive hairdo and the lavish eyeliner has had chronic drug problems. Her husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, who apparently isn't, has been arrested for assault.

Earlier this year, Ms. Winehouse had to run off a stage mid-song to regurgitate. She didn't have a clue. At an award ceremony in London, she got drunk and heckled Bono. In music, that's a little like heckling Nelson Mandela.

At this week's concert, she showed up late staggered, stumbled and didn't sing very much. Some audience members booed. When the jeering persisted she said to all of those booing: Just wait until my husband gets out of incarceration.

Ms. Winehouse walked off. Birmingham male critic Andy Coleman said it was one of the saddest nights of my life. I saw a supremely talented artist reduced to tears, stumbling, and unforgivably swearing at the audience.

(Soundbite of song, "Rehab")

Ms. WINEHOUSE (Singer): (Singing) But I know it don't come in a shot glass. They're trying to make me go to rehab…

SIMON: Coming up: A rock and roller who's in it for the long haul - Tom Petty.

(Soundbite of song, "Rehab")

Ms. WINEHOUSE (Singer): (Singing) No, no, no. Yes, I been black, but when I come back. You won't know, know, know. I ain't got the time. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.