Russell Brand, Adele pay tribute to Amy Winehouse

(CBS) Amy Winehouse's death on Saturday sparked an outpouring of messages online, including many stars paying tribute to the late singer.

Along with Kelly Osbourne, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Boy George, and others, actor-comedian Russell Brand wrote a lengthy tribute to Winehouse on his website, as did British singer Adele.

Pictures: Amy Winehouse, 1983-2011
Pictures: Stars mourn Amy Winehouse
Pictures: The death of Amy Winehouse

Brand, a former drug addict, wrote that he and Winehouse "shared an affliction, the disease of addiction."

"When you love someone who suffers from the disease of addiction you await the phone call. There will be a phone call. The sincere hope is that the call will be from the addict themselves, telling you they've had enough, that they're ready to stop, ready to try something new. Of course though, you fear the other call, the sad nocturnal chime from a friend or relative telling you it's too late, she's gone," he wrote (The entire tribute was also reprinted on the Guardian's website).

"Now Amy Winehouse is dead, like many others whose unnecessary deaths have been retrospectively romanticised, at 27 years old," Brand added. "Whether this tragedy was preventable or not is now irrelevant. It is not preventable today. We have lost a beautiful and talented woman to this disease. Not all addicts have Amy's incredible talent. Or Kurt's or Jimi's or Janis's. Some people just get the affliction. All we can do is adapt the way we view this condition, not as a crime or a romantic affectation but as a disease that will kill."

In a message titled "Amy Flies in Paradise," Adele said on her website that Winehouse "paved the way" for artists like her:

"not many people have it in them to do something they love, simply because they love it. with no fuss and no compromise. but she knew what she was capable of and didn't even need to try. if she wanted to do something she would and if she didn't she'd say f--- off. it came easy to her and that's why we all loved her so much. we believed every word she wrote, and it would sink in deep when she sang them. Amy paved the way for artists like me and made people excited about british music again whilst being fearlessly hilarious and blase about the whole thing. i don't think she ever realised just how brilliant she was and how important she is, but that just makes her even more charming. although im incredibly sad about Amy passing im also reminded of how immensely proud of her i am as well. and grateful to be inspired by her. Amy flies in paradise xx"

Other stars who tweeted about Amy Winehouse include:

Katy Perry: "RIP Amy Winehouse. May she finally find peace."

Kelly Osbourne: "i cant even breath right my now im crying so hard i just lost 1 of my best friends. i love you forever Amy & will never forget the real you!"

Music producer Mark Ronson, who worked with Winehouse on her album "Back to Black": "she was my musical soulmate & like a sister to me. this is one of the saddest days of my life"

Lea Michele: "Devastated to hear about Amy Winehouse...she was truly one of a kind..."

Boy Geroge" "I cannot contain my sadness and my anger about Amy Winehouse. Rest in peace child, it is a deeply sad day for many reasons!"

Natasha Bedingfield: "I'm so sad to hear about Amy Winehouse just dying. My heart and prayers go out to her family. Such a terrible loss for us all."

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