Posted by Emily Exton on 07/28/2011 at 11:08 AM Videos

The Popdust Files: amy winehouse, mark ronson, tribute, valerie

In his first performance since the death of Amy Winehouse, friend and “musical soulmate” Mark Ronson paid tribute to the late singer on Wednesday night by performing their most famous collaboration. Ronson and several other musicians took the stage to perform “Valerie,” at Greenwich Summer Sessions on Wednesday, using Winehouse’s music to aid the healing process. “It’s really lovely getting to play some music here for you tonight. That’s what makes everything better,” he told the audience. Dave McCabe, lead singer of The Zutons’ and author of the original track, later recorded by Ronson and Winehouse for his 2007 album Versions, joined Ronson on vocals. The night belonged to Amy, as members of Winehouse’s backing band took another stab at “Valerie,” following McCabe’s rendition, while Rumble Strips singer Charlie Walker later performed a cover of “Back to Black” with the support of a full band. Ronson also played Winehouse’s iconic song “Rehab” during a DJ break in the middle of the show.

Just one day after her funeral in London, the mood was both somber, as Ronson candidly expressed his great loss, as well as celebratory, as the crowd remembered Winehouse’s legacy through her impressive catalog of songs. “I went to her service yesterday and there was a rabbi that spoke and he said that somebody’s life is measured in deeds and not years and that’s the best thing I heard yesterday,” he explained. “The genius in that woman and what she shared with us is pretty special. I’m not going to get all morbid on you. It’s just nice to be playing music to people who like good music. She is my sister, wherever she is.”

Watch the performance below: