27 Club

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The 27 Club—also occasionally known as the Forever 27 Club, Club 27 or the Curse of 27—is a meme regarding popular musicians who all died at the age of 27[1] often as a result of "precipitous lifestyles that made them candidates for early self-destruction."[2]

Musicians who died at age 27, such as blues singer and musician Robert Johnson,[3][4] Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse, have contributed to this concept of the notional club.[5]

A study published in the British Medical Journal in December 2011 concluded that the occurrence of famous musicians dying at the age of 27 was coincidental, and the risk of death from their lifestyle was increased, but not limited to the age of 27.[6]

Contents

Origins

The notion of a "27 Club" arose after the deaths of Jones, Hendrix, Joplin and Morrison.[7] Robert Johnson who had died many years before in 1938 was later added by some, as were Kurt Cobain who died in 1994 and Amy Winehouse who died in 2011. With the exception of Joplin, there is controversy surrounding their deaths. According to the book Heavier Than Heaven, when Cobain died, his sister claimed that as a kid he would talk about how he wanted to join the 27 Club.[8] On the fifteenth anniversary of Kurt Cobain's death, National Public Radio's Robert Smith said, "The deaths of these rock stars at the age of 27 really changed the way we look at rock music."[9] The 27s: The Greatest Myth of Rock & Roll details the history of the phenomenon.

Members

Cobain and Hendrix biographer Charles R. Cross writes "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."[5] Below is a selection of members.

Name Date of death Official cause of death Fame Age
Levy, AlexandreAlexandre Levy[10] 01892-01-17 January 17, 1892 Unknown Composer, pianist and conductor &1000000000000002700000027 years, &1000000000000009800000098 days
Chauvin, LouisLouis Chauvin[10][11] 01908-03-26 March 26, 1908 Neurosyphilitic sclerosis Ragtime musician &1000000000000002700000027 years, &1000000000000001300000013 days
Johnson, RobertRobert Johnson[12] 01938-08-16 August 16, 1938 Unknown, but typically attributed to strychnine poisoning Blues singer and musician who recorded a very famous and influential set of 29 songs. &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000100000000100 days
Jaffe, NatNat Jaffe[10] 01945-08-05 August 5, 1945 Complications from high blood pressure Swing jazz pianist &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000216000000216 days
Belvin, JesseJesse Belvin[10][11][13][14] 01960-02-06 February 6, 1960 Car accident R&B singer, pianist and songwriter &1000000000000002700000027 years, &1000000000000005300000053 days
Rudy Lewis[13][15] 01964-05-20 May 20, 1964 Drug overdose Vocalist of The Drifters &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000271000000271 days
Malcolm Hale[10][14] 01968-10-31 October 31, 1968 Carbon monoxide poisoning Original member and lead guitarist of Spanky and Our Gang &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000166000000166 days
Pride, DickieDickie Pride[13] 01969-03-26 March 26, 1969 Overdose of sleeping pills Rock and roll singer &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000156000000156 days
Jones, BrianBrian Jones[16] 01969-07-03 July 3, 1969 Drowned[17] (coroner's report states "death by misadventure", disputed)[18] Rolling Stones founder, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000125000000125 days
Hendrix, JimiJimi Hendrix[16] 01970-09-18 September 18, 1970 Asphyxiation (disputed)[19] Pioneering electric guitarist, singer and songwriter for The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Band of Gypsys &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000295000000295 days
Wilson, Alan "Blind Owl"Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson[10][11][13][15][20][14] 01970-09-03 September 3, 1970 Barbiturate overdose, possible suicide Leader, singer and primary composer of Canned Heat &1000000000000002700000027 years, &1000000000000006100000061 days
Joplin, JanisJanis Joplin[21] 01970-10-04 October 4, 1970 Probable heroin overdose[22] Lead vocalist and songwriter for Big Brother and the Holding Company, The Kozmic Blues Band and Full Tilt Boogie Band &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000258000000258 days
Arlester "Dyke" Christian[10] 01971-03-13 March 13, 1971 Murdered Frontman, vocalist and bassist of Dyke & the Blazers &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000273000000273 days
Morrison, JimJim Morrison[16] 01971-07-03 July 3, 1971 Reported as heart failure (no autopsy performed, disputed)[23][24]. Lead singer, lyricist and video director for The Doors, and poet &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000207000000207 days
Jones, LindaLinda Jones[13] 01972-03-14 March 14, 1972 Complications from diabetes Soul singer &1000000000000002700000027 years, &1000000000000009100000091 days
Harvey, LeslieLeslie Harvey[11][20][14] 01972-05-03 May 3, 1972 Electrocution Guitarist for Stone the Crows and brother of Alex Harvey &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000233000000233 days
McKernan, Ron "Pigpen"Ron "Pigpen" McKernan[10][11][13][15][20][14] 01973-03-08 March 8, 1973 Gastrointestinal hemorrhage associated with alcoholism Founding member, keyboardist and singer of the Grateful Dead &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000181000000181 days
Roger Lee Durham[10][14] 01973-07-27 July 27, 1973 Fell off a horse and died from the injuries Singer and percussionist of Bloodstone &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000163000000163 days
Wallace Yohn[10] 01974-08-12 August 12, 1974 Plane crash Organ player of Chase &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000212000000212 days
Alexander, DaveDave Alexander[10][11][13][15][20][14] 01975-02-10 February 10, 1975 Pulmonary edema Bassist for the Stooges &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000252000000252 days
Ham, PetePete Ham[10][11][13][15][20][14] 01975-04-24 April 24, 1975 Suicide Keyboardist and guitarist, leader of Badfinger &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000362000000362 days
Thain, GaryGary Thain[10][11][15][14] 01975-12-08 December 8, 1975 Drug overdose Former bassist of Uriah Heep and The Keef Hartley Band &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000207000000207 days
Köllen, HelmutHelmut Köllen[10][14] 01977-05-03 May 3, 1977 Carbon monoxide poisoning Bassist for 1970s prog rock band Triumvirat &1000000000000002700000027 years, &1000000000000006200000062 days
Bell, ChrisChris Bell[10][11][13][14] 01978-12-27 December 27, 1978 Car accident Singer-songwriter and guitarist of power pop band Big Star and solo &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000349000000349 days
Miller, JacobJacob Miller[11][15] 01980-03-23 March 23, 1980 Car accident Reggae artist and lead singer for Inner Circle &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000324000000324 days
Boon, D.D. Boon[10][11][13][20][14] 01985-12-22 December 22, 1985 Van accident Guitarist, lead singer of punk band the Minutemen &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000266000000266 days
Bashlachev, AlexanderAlexander Bashlachev 01988-02-17 February 17, 1988 Suicide Poet, rock musician and songwriter &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000266000000266 days
Basquiat, Jean-MichelJean-Michel Basquiat[13][15][20][14] 01988-08-12 August 12, 1988 Speedball overdose Painter and graffiti artist; formed the band Gray &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000234000000234 days
de Freitas, PetePete de Freitas[10][11][13][15][14] 01989-06-14 June 14, 1989 Motorcycle accident Drummer for Echo & the Bunnymen &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000346000000346 days
Zapata, MiaMia Zapata[10][11][13] 01993-07-07 July 7, 1993 Murdered Lead singer of The Gits &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000316000000316 days
Cobain, KurtKurt Cobain[21] 01994-04-05 April 5, 1994 Suicide by gunshot (disputed)[25] Founding member, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter for Nirvana &1000000000000002700000027 years, &1000000000000004400000044 days
Pfaff, KristenKristen Pfaff[10][11][13][15][20][14] 01994-06-16 June 16, 1994 Heroin overdose Bass guitarist for Hole and Janitor Joe &1000000000000002700000027 years, &1000000000000005100000051 days
Edwards, RicheyRichey Edwards[10][13][20][14] 01995-02-01 February 1, 1995 Disappeared; officially presumed dead November 23, 2008 Lyricist and guitarist for Manic Street Preachers &1000000000000002700000027 years, &1000000000000004100000041 days
Pat, FatFat Pat[10][11] 01998-02-03 February 3, 1998 Murdered Rapper and member of Screwed Up Click &1000000000000002700000027 years, &1000000000000006100000061 days
Tah, FreakyFreaky Tah[10] 01999-03-28 March 28, 1999 Murdered Rapper and member of the hip hop group Lost Boyz &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000318000000318 days
Bueno, RodrigoRodrigo Bueno 02000-06-24 June 24, 2000 Car accident Cuarteto singer &1000000000000002700000027 years, &1000000000000003100000031 days
Sean Patrick McCabe[10][11][13][14] 02000-08-28 August 28, 2000 Asphyxiation Lead singer of Ink & Dagger &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000289000000289 days
Maria Serrano Serrano[10] 02001-11-24 November 24, 2001 Plane crash Background singer for Passion Fruit &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000363000000363 days
Ward, Jeremy MichaelJeremy Michael Ward[10][11][13][14] 02003-05-25 May 25, 2003 Heroin overdose The Mars Volta and De Facto sound manipulator &1000000000000002700000027 years, &1000000000000002000000020 days
Bryan Ottoson[10][11][14] 02005-04-19 April 19, 2005 Prescription drug overdose Guitarist for American Head Charge &1000000000000002700000027 years, &1000000000000003200000032 days
Elizalde, ValentínValentín Elizalde[10] 02006-11-26 November 26, 2006 Murdered Mexican banda singer &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000297000000297 days
Winehouse, AmyAmy Winehouse[15][16] 02011-07-23 July 23, 2011 Alcohol poisoning[26] Singer-songwriter; first British woman to win five Grammy Awards in single ceremony &1000000000000002700000027 years, &10000000000000312000000312 days
Richard Turner[11] 02011-08-11 August 11, 2011 Cardiac arrest Trumpet player, collaborator with Friendly Fires[27] &1000000000000002700000027 years, &1000000000000001200000012 days

References

  1. ^ "After Nirvana Show airs on Saturday 3rd April 2100 - 2200". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/r2music/documentaries/nirvana_27.shtml. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  2. ^ Weiss, David. "Amy Winehouse & The 27 Club". Life Goes Strong. http://play.lifegoesstrong.com/amy-winehouse-27-club. Retrieved 18 August 2011. 
  3. ^ McMartin, Pete (2011-07-26). "The short foregone song of Amy Winehouse". Vancouver Sun. http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/short+foregone+song+Winehouse/5158532/story.html. Retrieved 2011-07-27. 
  4. ^ Sullivan, James (2011-05-27). "Robert Johnson Founds the '27 Club' With Devil Pact -- Twisted Tales". Spinner. http://www.spinner.ca/2011/05/27/robert-johnson-crossroads/. Retrieved 2011-07-27. 
  5. ^ a b Cross, Charles (February 22, 2007). "P-I's Writer in Residence Charles R. Cross explores the darker side of 'only the good die young' Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/P-I-s-Writer-in-Residence-Charles-R-Cross-1229072.php#ixzz1WQD7ympT". seattle pi. http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/P-I-s-Writer-in-Residence-Charles-R-Cross-1229072.php. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  6. ^ "Is 27 really a dangerous age for famous musicians? A retrospective cohort study" (Press release). British Medical Journal. December 2011. http://www.bmj.com/press-releases/2011/12/20/27-really-dangerous-age-famous-musicians-retrospective-cohort-study. Retrieved December 21, 2011. 
  7. ^ "The 27 Club: Musicians Who Died Young". UpVenue. http://www.upvenue.com/music-news/blog-headline/1026/the-27-club-musicians-who-died-at-27-years-old.html. Retrieved 29 July 2011. 
  8. ^ "Heavier than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain". HyperionBooks.com. http://www.hyperionbooks.com/titlepage.asp?ISBN=0786884029. 
  9. ^ "Before I Get Old: 'The 27s' Made Early Exits". NPR. http://www.npr.org/2009/04/05/102670912/before-i-get-old-the-27s-made-early-exits. Retrieved 29 July 2011. 
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa "The Greatest Myth of Rock & Roll". The27s.com. http://the27club.the27s.com/Forever27.html. Retrieved 9 September 2011. 
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Forever 27 Hall of Fame". Forever27.co.uk. http://www.forever27.co.uk/forever/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7&Itemid=9. Retrieved 9 September 2011. 
  12. ^ http://www.spinner.com/2011/05/27/robert-johnson-crossroads/
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Members of the 27 Club". Ranker. 31 July 2011. http://www.ranker.com/list/members-of-the-27-club/famous-celebrity-deaths-list. Retrieved 9 September 2011. 
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s O'Connor, Rob (23 July 2011). "Twenty-Seven Members of the 27 Club". Yahoo Music. http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/listoftheday/141497/twenty-seven-members-of-the-27-club/. Retrieved 9 September 2011. 
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Blair, Kevin (24 July 2011). "The Forever 27 Club — Music's Growing List of Stars Who Died at 27 Years Old". StarPulse. http://www.starpulse.com/news/Kevin_Blair/2011/07/24/the_forever_27_club_musics_growing_li. Retrieved 9 September 2011. 
  16. ^ a b c d Clements, Paul (July 24, 2011). "Amy Winehouse joins the 'Forever 27' club". The Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/8657314/Amy-Winehouse-joins-the-Forever-27-club.html. 
  17. ^ "All about Brian Jones, by Anthony Bruno — "Death by Misadventure" — Crime Library on". Trutv.com. 1969-07-10. http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/celebrity/brian_jones/. Retrieved 2011-07-23. 
  18. ^ Wyman 2002, p. 329
  19. ^ The Final Days, Tony Brown excerpt quoted in http://woodstockhendrix.gobot.com/about.html
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i Stopera, Dave. "The 27 Club: 15 Other Musicians Who Died at Age 27". BuzzFeed. http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/15-other-musicians-who-died-at-age-27. Retrieved 9 September 2011. 
  21. ^ a b Schillaci, Sophie A. (July 23, 2011). "Amy Winehouse Joins Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin in '27 Club'". The Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/amy-winehouse-27-kurt-cobain-214643. 
  22. ^ The Washington Post. May 11, 1998. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/features/joplin.htm. 
  23. ^ Walt, Vivienne (July 19, 2007). "Postcard: Paris". Time. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1645167,00.html. Retrieved April 23, 2010. 
  24. ^ Walt, Vivienne. "How Jim Morrison Died". Time. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1643884,00.html. Retrieved August 24, 2008. 
  25. ^ van Gelder, Lawrence (March 3, 1998). "Footlights". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/03/arts/footlights.html. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  26. ^ Davies, Caroline (26 October 2011). "Amy Winehouse inquest records verdict of misadventure". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/oct/26/amy-winehouse-verdict-misadventure. Retrieved 26 October 2011. 
  27. ^ Smith, K. Alexander. "Richard Turner of Friendly Fires: 1984-2011". http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2011/08/richard-turner-trumpet-player-for-friendly-fires-d.html. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 

Further reading

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