The 27 Club
The infamous twenty-seven club fact or fiction
The twenty-seven club is known for its tragic coincidences in rock & roll history. In 1994, when Kurt Cobain died, many fans connected his age to Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. The club got further publicity when Amy Winehouse died at twenty-seven in 2011.
Although the club has mainly been connected to musicians, it has expanded since, as many young actors and artists have lost their lives due to addiction, suicide or freak accidents. Here are some of the unfortunate and untimely losses connected to the club.
Amy Winehouse
Winehouse was among the most talented singers to date, winning many awards, including Grammys. Her mixture of soulful lyrics and strong messages made her a household name overnight.
The singer was found dead on 23rd July 2011 in her flat in Camden. When paramedics attended her, she was fully clothed with a laptop and an empty bottle of vodka beside her. The autopsy report concluded that she died from alcohol poisoning after binge drinking after a prolonged period of abstinence.
Richey Edwards
Edwards made his name as part of the band Manic Street Preachers. Starting as a roadie for his friends, it was soon apparent they wanted him to be part of the band. They taught him to play the guitar, but his talent shone as a lyricist.
However, his fame was short-lived when he disappeared on 1st February 1995; he was twenty-seven.
Many theories remain about where Edwards is and if he is still alive. In November 2008, he was declared dead in absentia, as he had been missing for seven years. However, no body has ever been found.
Kurt Cobain
Cobain was the lead singer and driving force behind Nirvana. In a couple of years, he reached heights of acclaim that some work all their lives to achieve. In addition, he is considered one of the most influential musicians of his time. Grunge metal would likely have never taken off if not for his genius.
Songs such as "Smells Like Teen Spirit" are as popular today as they were when they were released from the Nevermind album.
During his life, Cobain faced many issues, and in the end, they led to his death. He became addicted to heroin whilst he struggled with severe depression. His fame and status increased these problems. In March 1994, he entered a detox program after an overdose, and one month later, he was found dead in his Seattle home. His death was ruled a suicide.
Jimi Hendrix
Hendrix is one of the artists who started the Twenty-seven Club concept. The same year he died, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison would pass away at age twenty-seven also.
No one has ever come close to Hendrix’s talent. He is still considered one of the best guitarists ever. Although his career lasted just four years, his legacy has lasted for decades. Without his influence, it is hard to imagine what direction rock music would have taken.
Sadly, Hendrix died in London in September 1970. His girlfriend woke to find him breathing but unresponsive. Although he was rushed to hospital, doctors could not save his life. Well known for taking over the recommended dose of sleeping tablets, it appears whilst sleeping, he vomited and choked to death.
Anton Yelchin
Yelchin is better recognised as his character Chekhov in the Star Trek series of movies. His career started in 2002 when he starred in the science fiction miniseries Taken, produced by Steven Spielberg.
Sadly, the actor died at twenty-seven in a car accident outside his house.
Is Twenty-Seven Significant?
The range of deaths from the twenty-seven club is another factor that dispels the likelihood of it being anything more than a myth. Statistical information goes further, as fifty-six is the age with the highest death rate for celebrities.
Some people will add other names to the club, including River Phoenix, who was twenty-one and Heath Ledger, who died at twenty-eight. Surprisingly twenty- eight also has a higher death rate than twenty-seven.
It seems that the myth of the Twenty-seven Club started when three notable celebrities passed within a year of each other: Hendrix, Joplin and Morrison. It was then reignited as a myth with the deaths of Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse.
The media tries to portray the twenty-seven club as a badge of honour if you are a member. But, in reality, no one wants to gain entry to the club.
With the rock and pop stars in the group, drugs seemed to play a role in each of their deaths. The exception being Jim Morrison, who died of a heart attack.