“The 27 Club”: 6 musicians who died at 27
Chances are you’ve heard of “The 27 Club” by now, but if you haven’t, here’s a refresher: It’s a cultural phenomenon that’s seen dozens of notable musicians all coincidentally die at the age of 27.
It began when the first four names on this list passed away at 27 within the space of just three years, and when Kurt Cobain died in 1994, the “club” really began to take off.
“The number of musicians who died at 27 is truly remarkable by any standard,” wrote Cobain and Jimi Hendrix biographer Charles R. Cross. “[Although] humans die regularly at all ages, there is a statistical spike for musicians who die at 27.”
Here are six of the most famous “club” members who tragically lost their lives at the age of just 27.
1. Brian Jones
A founding member of the Rolling Stones, Jones is credited with naming the band, choosing the members, choosing the music and booking gigs. However, in July 1969, after leaving the Stones amid legal issues, substance abuse and mood swings, the 27-year-old Jones was found dead in his swimming pool.
2. Jimi Hendrix
One of the most influential guitarists in history, Hendrix made more of a mark in his 27 years than many people do in a lifetime. However, almost a decade of substance abuse and violence sadly caught up with Hendrix, who died of a suspected drug overdose in London on September 17, 1970.
3. Janis Joplin
Just 16 days after his death, Hendrix’s friend and fellow rock star Janis Joplin died at the height of her fame from a drug overdose. In her will, Joplin left $2,500 to her loved ones to throw a wake party, which took place on October 26, 1969, 22 days after she was found dead.
4. Jim Morrison
The Doors front man was the icon of a generation before he met his untimely demise in March 1971. He was found by his long-term companion Pamela Courson in Paris, where the pair had been living. His official cause of death was ruled as heart failure, but due to there being no autopsy, there are still questions as to the true cause of his death.
5. Kurt Cobain
It was Cobain’s death that really launched the so-called “27 Club”. The Nirvana front man, who never quite coped with his fame and had spent the last few years of his life battling heroin addiction, chronic health problems and depression, was found dead in 1994 as a result of suicide.
6. Amy Winehouse
The popular five-time Grammy winner, known for her distinctive, soulful voice, was one of the UK’s most acclaimed artists, holding the record for the second best-selling album since 2000. Sadly, her life was cut short in 2011 after a long battle with alcoholism.