27 Club

So maybe one of those urban legends is the death of so many rock stars at the ripe old age of 27....I already did a post on Robert Johnson (1911-1938) who has been rumoured to start the 27 Club - see my previous post.

I read a comment on a blog that I thought was interesting as it relates to the 27 Club - it said that:

"2+7 = 9. Nine is a number of completion. These artists accomplished all they were meant to in life".

Which ever way you take it - it is mysterious.

Following from there, some of the other famous musicians whom have died included:
- Robert Johnson (see above);
- Kurt Cobain;
- Janis Joplin;
- Jim Morrison;
- Brian Jones;
- Jimi Hendrix;
- Pete DeFreitas

Kurt Cobain (from Nirvana) - died 1994 - suicide by shooting a hole in his head

Nirvanna was the band who changed everything in rock music in the 90's and ushered us out officially from the 80's. It was all due to the landmark album "Nevermind".

I have read the published diary of Kurt Cobain and he is an interesting person, especially when it comes to his view on music and women (he adored the inner beauty of the woman), but on the flip side he seemed to also be troubled and moody.

Here's an extract from Wiki that relates to Kurt's death:

"On April 8, 1994, Cobain's body was discovered at his Lake Washington home by an electrician who had arrived to install a security system. Apart from a minor amount of blood coming out of Cobain's ear, the electrician reported seeing no visible signs of trauma, and initially believed that Cobain was asleep until he saw the shotgun pointing at his chin. A suicide note was found that said, in part, "I haven't felt the excitement of listening to as well as creating music, along with really writing . . . for too many years now". A high concentration of heroin and traces of Valium were also found in his body. Cobain's body had been lying there for days; the coroner's report estimated Cobain to have died on April 5, 1994"

His contribution to rock will not be forgotten!

Janis Joplin - died 1970 - heroin o/d

That sultry songstress with that soulful voice that seems to be bigger than her universe. Any list of the most inflential artists in rock and to the world of music includes Janis - whether it be her influence as a female rock artist or simply her contribution to the world of rock.

Here's a pic I quite like of Janis and Grace (Slick):

Jim Morrison - died 1971 - heart failure

This was the frontman of "The Doors".

The Doors made a significant contribution to rock history and are known for classic tracks like "Light My Fire"; "Break on Through"; and "Riders of the Storm" to name but a few. Their music is still heard today on rock radio; movies and TV shows.

Jim was quite the frontman - he was known for his "sexual" aura; prowess and style and was largely regarded as the prototype for today's rockstar - Jim invented the term rockstar baby - rock music; sex; drugs and death - all part of the rock star cycle.

Jim died in Paris in 1971 and was found in a bathtub in a hotel. No autopsy was performed. Some have suggested foul play in his death, some - a drug o/d; but officially it is "heart-attack". Jim is buried in Paris.

Brian Jones - died 1969 - drowning in a swimming pool

- Brian Jones was regarded as the founder of the "Rolling Stones" and gave the band it's name back in 1962. Brian had put an add in the newspapers to form a new R&B band, for which Mick Jagger and Mick's childhood friend Keith Richards had replied - well the rest is history!

Brian and Jimi

Of interest  Jimi Hendrix dedicated a song to him on US television, and Jim Morrison of The Doors wrote a published poem entitled "Ode to L.A. While Thinking of Brian Jones, Deceased". Both Jimi and Jim also died at age 27 and are part of the club.


In August 2009, the case was re-open for Brian Jones, where evidence has come to light that apparantly there was new evidence suggesting that the death might be "murder".


Of interest - Mick and Keith did not attend Brian's funeral - despite Brian being the reason why the Stones existed (sounds a bit odd to me)!


Jimmy Hendrix - died 1970 - asphyxiation on vomit / overdose 

Jimi was an amazing guitarist - that we all should know. He had a short career which lasted only 7 years, starting in 1963. He gained fame in Europe prior to his success in the US and really creamed it off at Woodstock - the historic festival in 1969. He is regarded as the best guitarist of all time by musicians.

Samarkand Hotel in Ladbroke Grove, England - where Jimi was found

Jimi died in London, and to date the circumstances surrounding his death have not been fully explained.


See a post I wrote regarding the Greatest Rock Guitarists - Jimi was #1 (Greatest Rock Guitarists (Part 2). 


Peter DeFreitas - died 1989 - motor cycle accident.


Well this might not be a name you are familiar with but Pete was the drummer of one of my favorite bands - Echo and the Bunnymen. I wrote about the band and Pete in one of my posts (see link here).

Pete died in a motor cycle accient in 1989. I think he was so handsome.


Anyway peeps - hope you enjoy!