Winehouse sings and sips wine on stage
ARGANDA DEL REY, Spain - July 4, 2008
Then, as tens of thousands cheered, she threw off a pair of high
stiletto heels in favor of white moccasins, donned a white electric
guitar and settled into an intense rendition of some of her best
known songs, including "Rehab."
Winehouse delivered a strong vocal performance accompanied by
her octet plus two male backing vocalists.
There was no hint of the controversy that saw the Grammy-winning
singer scuffle with a fan at the Glastonbury festival in Britain
and show up an hour late looking the worse for wear last May in
Portugal.
The singer won five Grammy Awards, including best record, best
song and best new artist, in early February, but her musical
success has been overshadowed by her tumultuous private life and
public struggles with drugs and alcohol.
Last month, her father said she developed emphysema from smoking
cigarettes and crack cocaine, although her spokeswoman has said
Winehouse only has pre-emphysema symptoms.
Once finished at Rock in Rio, she did not stay for an encore and
left the outdoor concert venue by helicopter.
Winehouse's manager, Michael Jobson, told national broadcaster
RTVE that the singer had looked forward to singing in Madrid after
appearances in Portugal and Hyde Park, London.
English band Jamiroquai followed Winehouse on stage, with
Colombian pop singer Shakira topping the bill.
The Police, Bob Dylan, Lenny Kravitz, Alejandro Sanz and Franz
Ferdinand were all due to perform over the weekend.
Organizers said around 350,000 people were expected to have
enjoyed music at the newly inaugurated concert site by the end of
the festival.