Winehouse to sing via satellite at show
Raphael G. Satter

LONDON—Amy Winehouse will not attend this year’s Grammy Awards because her request for a visa was denied, but she will perform by satellite at Sunday’s ceremony in Los Angeles.
Winehouse and her acclaimed “Back to Black” album are nominated for Grammys in six categories. She will perform material from the album, an executive close to the Grammys told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity Thursday.
The Outside Organization, which counts the troubled retro-soul sensation among its clients, said in an e-mail that Winehouse — who shot to fame with the autobiographical single “Rehab” — was disappointed that her request for a visa had been turned down by the U.S. Embassy.
“Amy has been progressing well since entering a rehabilitation clinic two weeks ago and although disappointed with the decision has accepted the ruling and will be concentrating on her recovery,” the Outside Organization said. The statement didn’t say why her application was rejected. The U.S. Embassy in London and the State Department in Washington declined to comment late Thursday. Shane O’Neill, Winehouse’s spokesman, said he had nothing to add.
Los Angeles immigration lawyer Bernie Wolfsdorf called it surprising that Winehouse wasn’t able to obtain a visa. Although she has a marijuana arrest on her record that could be used for exclusion from the United States, Wolfsdorf said it is commonplace for entertainers to be granted a waiver for such an offense, particularly if they are just making a quick visit to appear at an awards show.