The 27 club is a list of entertainers such as musicians, actors, athletes and artist who lost their life at the age of 27. These were not any random entertainers, they had a huge influence in their prime time. The cause of death of these artists was drug and alcohol abuse, or violent means such as homicide or suicide. The idea of the 27 club began to catch on public right after the death of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain in 1994 at the age of 27.
According to Charles R. Cross who did biographies of Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix, “The number of musicians who died at 27 is truly remarkable by any standard. [Although] humans die regularly at all ages, there is a statistical spike for musicians who die at 27.” The idea of 27 Club got more attention after Cobain’s mother made a statement on a newspaper (The Daily World) – “Now he is gone and joined that stupid club. I told him not to join that stupid club.” – referred to Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison dying at the same age.
The 27 Club, Does It Really Exist?
Death of Kurt Cobain is said to be one of the biggest reason behind the reuse the word of 27 Club because at the time of his demise he was known globally, had a very strong fan base, and except for his fan following he was a controversial figure for most of the media and press. And after his mother and biographer made a statement on media about Cobain’s death. Cobain became the fifth artist with a big name on the industry.
He was preceded in short order by Brian Jones in 1969, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin in 1970, and Jim Morrison in 1971. Amy Winehouse is considered the last person to be listed on the 27 Club who lost her life in 2011.
After people started using the term 27 Club the idea spread like a wildfire. Magazines, journals, and newspaper agencies began to use this term and the theories behind it more often. The 27 club was first noted by Rolling Stone magazine in July 1971 after the death of the Door’s frontman Jim Morrison. The magazine pointed that Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix all died at the age of 27, and the cause of death was drug overdoses. It’s noted that currently there are more than 50 musicians and artists in the 27 Club.
Many writers and journalists have complied a list known as “The Big 6 “, which consists of six major names of artists: Brian Jones, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse.
Brian Jones.
Brian Jones was an English musician and composer, best popular as the founder of the band The Rolling Stones. Jones was a guitarist of the band.
Jones is one of the great guitar heroes. He and his fellow guitarist Richards and developed a unique style of guitar playing which is known as the “ancient art of weaving”. Guitar players globally still follow and appreciate his style. During his prime, Jones developed alcohol and drugs problem.
Jones was found dead, drowning in his swimming pool in July 1969 at the age of 27.
Janis Joplin.
Joplin who is known for her brilliant singing skills is one of the greatest singers to ever live. She was a successful artist and a widely known rock star of her era. Joplin was a solo artist and one of the pioneers of psychedelic rock.
She died on October 4th, 1970 due to an accidental heroin overdose.
Jimi Hendrix
Hendrix was famous for his extraordinary guitar skills and was one of the biggest artists in rock history. He was a singer and guitarist playing psychedelic rock. An award-winning musician who was the biggest artist in his time.
Hendrix died of drug abuse which led to asphyxia causing death on September 18th 1970.
Jim Morrison
James Douglas Morrison, a.k.a., Jim Morrison was the lead vocalist of the legendry rock band The Doors. He was well known for his wild personality, poetic lyrics, and as the best frontman to ever live.
Morrison died on July 3rd, 1971.
Kurt Cobain
Cobain was the founder of Nirvana, an alternative rock band. He was a singer and guitarist of the band. He was one of the great artists to bring grunge-alternative rock to the mainstream platform. Cobain is one of the best performers and a frontman in his music scene. During his prime he was often dealing with drug-related problems. He was facing mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Which led him to his death on April 8th, 1994. He died from a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head.
Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse was an English singer and songwriter. She was famous for her deep vocals and different musical genres such as soul, rhythm and blues, and jazz. Whinehouse was a very good writer in her time and always got credit for her lyrics. She has faced drug-related problems since her early days.
She died on July 23rd, 2011 and her cause of death was alcohol poisoning.
Also Read: Great Artists Who Died Too Young
