The forever 27 Club
There's something spooky about the number 27. Over the years, a large number of musicians have died at the young age of 27. This is how the idea of the so-called 27 Club was born, a concept as glamorous as it is tragic. These celebrities were taken too soon, often as a result of drug use and troubled lives, almost as if they were killed by the pressures of fame itself. Now, they will remain forever young, forever 27.
1
Kurt Cobain
Claim to Fame: Lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter for Nirvana
Died: April 5, 1994
Cause of Death: Suicide
Gravesite: None
As the unwilling spokesman for "Generation X," Kurt Cobain struggled with the pressures of fame that came with Nirvana's unbelievably popular 1991 album, Nevermind, which featured the anthemic "Smells Like Teen Spirit." In the final year of his life, Cobain descended into a heroin addiction, as well as intensified mental health issues. His death by shotgun wound to the head was ruled a suicide. "It is better to burn out than to fade away," he wrote in the note he left for his wife, the singer Courtney Love. Cobain was cremated and his ashes scattered.
Died: April 5, 1994
Cause of Death: Suicide
Gravesite: None
As the unwilling spokesman for "Generation X," Kurt Cobain struggled with the pressures of fame that came with Nirvana's unbelievably popular 1991 album, Nevermind, which featured the anthemic "Smells Like Teen Spirit." In the final year of his life, Cobain descended into a heroin addiction, as well as intensified mental health issues. His death by shotgun wound to the head was ruled a suicide. "It is better to burn out than to fade away," he wrote in the note he left for his wife, the singer Courtney Love. Cobain was cremated and his ashes scattered.
2
Amy Winehouse
Claim to Fame: Singer of soul and rhythm & blues
Died: July 23, 2011
Cause of Death: Alcohol poisoning
Gravesite: Edgwarebury Cemetery, London
Amy Winehouse cut an iconic silhouette in her trademark beehive hairdo. The singer's voice--sultry and timeless--was unmistakable, and the BBC called the British star "the preeminent vocal talent of her generation." Best known for the catchy, unapologetic song "Rehab," Winehouse had well-documented issues with substance abuse. She herself had expressed concern that she would join the likes of Kurt Cobain in the 27 Club. The ultimate cause of her death was ruled as alcohol poisoning. She is buried in one of London's Jewish cemeteries.
Died: July 23, 2011
Cause of Death: Alcohol poisoning
Gravesite: Edgwarebury Cemetery, London
Amy Winehouse cut an iconic silhouette in her trademark beehive hairdo. The singer's voice--sultry and timeless--was unmistakable, and the BBC called the British star "the preeminent vocal talent of her generation." Best known for the catchy, unapologetic song "Rehab," Winehouse had well-documented issues with substance abuse. She herself had expressed concern that she would join the likes of Kurt Cobain in the 27 Club. The ultimate cause of her death was ruled as alcohol poisoning. She is buried in one of London's Jewish cemeteries.
3
Jimi Hendrix
Claim to Fame: Singer, songwriter, guitar legend
Died: September 18, 1970
Cause of Death: Barbiturate-related asphyxiation
Gravesite: Greenwood Cemetery in Renton, Washington, USA
One of the great pioneers of electronic guitar music, Jimi Hendrix had a relatively short career, and yet his influence cannot be overstated. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him the greatest guitar player of all time. Hendrix's innovative mix of rock & roll and the blues electrified audiences, and by the time he performed at Woodstock in 1969 he was the world's most highly paid musician. Hendrix died in London at a girlfriend's apartment after consuming 18-times the recommended dose of her sleeping pills and choking on his own vomit in his sleep. His body was flown to his homestate of Washington for interment, at the same cemetery where his mother is buried.
Died: September 18, 1970
Cause of Death: Barbiturate-related asphyxiation
Gravesite: Greenwood Cemetery in Renton, Washington, USA
One of the great pioneers of electronic guitar music, Jimi Hendrix had a relatively short career, and yet his influence cannot be overstated. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him the greatest guitar player of all time. Hendrix's innovative mix of rock & roll and the blues electrified audiences, and by the time he performed at Woodstock in 1969 he was the world's most highly paid musician. Hendrix died in London at a girlfriend's apartment after consuming 18-times the recommended dose of her sleeping pills and choking on his own vomit in his sleep. His body was flown to his homestate of Washington for interment, at the same cemetery where his mother is buried.
4
Jim Morrison
Claim to Fame: Lead singer of The Doors
Died: July 3, 1971
Cause of Death: Heart failure
Gravesite: Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris
Jim Morrison is remembered as a dramatic showman and icon of youth counterculture. He was the lead singer of The Doors, whose massive hit "Come On Baby Light My Fire" remains relevant today. He was also a poet, who made several spoken word recordings. He was found dead in the bathtub of his Paris apartment, with the official cause of death listed as heart failure, most likely caused when he accidentally sniffed heroin belonging to his girlfriend thinking it was cocaine.
Died: July 3, 1971
Cause of Death: Heart failure
Gravesite: Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris
Jim Morrison is remembered as a dramatic showman and icon of youth counterculture. He was the lead singer of The Doors, whose massive hit "Come On Baby Light My Fire" remains relevant today. He was also a poet, who made several spoken word recordings. He was found dead in the bathtub of his Paris apartment, with the official cause of death listed as heart failure, most likely caused when he accidentally sniffed heroin belonging to his girlfriend thinking it was cocaine.
5
Janis Joplin
Claim to Fame: Singer, songwriter
Died: October 4, 1970
Cause of Death: Heroin overdose
Gravesite: None
Best known for her dynamic, "electrifying" performances, Janis Joplin was a rock icon in her own time. Today her legacy continues, as she remains one of the best-selling artists, living or dead--a major influence on such idols as Stevie Nicks. Joplin died from a heroin overdose about two weeks after fellow 27 Club member Jimi Hendrix. She was cremated, and her ashes were scattered from a plane into the Pacific Ocean.
Died: October 4, 1970
Cause of Death: Heroin overdose
Gravesite: None
Best known for her dynamic, "electrifying" performances, Janis Joplin was a rock icon in her own time. Today her legacy continues, as she remains one of the best-selling artists, living or dead--a major influence on such idols as Stevie Nicks. Joplin died from a heroin overdose about two weeks after fellow 27 Club member Jimi Hendrix. She was cremated, and her ashes were scattered from a plane into the Pacific Ocean.
6
Robert Johnson
Claim to Fame: Blues singer
Died: August 16, 1938
Cause of Death: Poisoning
Gravesite: Unknown
What we known about Robert Johnson is largely based on lore and legend. According to the stories, the virtuoso bluesman got his gift when he met the devil at a southern crossroads, and sold his soul for musical talents. His name may not be a familiar, but his influence stretches far into the history of 20th- and 21st-century rock. Kurt Cobain often performed songs from the 29-song oeuvre Johnson left behind, and Eric Clapton called him "the most important blues singer that ever lived." His death is no less mythological: the story goes that he was given poisoned whiskey by a woman's jealous husband. His burial site is debated: three different graves outside Greenwood, Mississippi claim to be his.
Died: August 16, 1938
Cause of Death: Poisoning
Gravesite: Unknown
What we known about Robert Johnson is largely based on lore and legend. According to the stories, the virtuoso bluesman got his gift when he met the devil at a southern crossroads, and sold his soul for musical talents. His name may not be a familiar, but his influence stretches far into the history of 20th- and 21st-century rock. Kurt Cobain often performed songs from the 29-song oeuvre Johnson left behind, and Eric Clapton called him "the most important blues singer that ever lived." His death is no less mythological: the story goes that he was given poisoned whiskey by a woman's jealous husband. His burial site is debated: three different graves outside Greenwood, Mississippi claim to be his.
7
Brian Jones
Claim to Fame: Founder and original lead singer of The Rolling Stones
Died: July 3, 1969
Cause of Death: Drowning
Gravesite: Cheltenham Cemetery, England
Although Brian Jones founded The Rolling Stones, he was quickly overshadowed by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. As he became increasingly addicted to drugs, his role in the band decreased, and eventually he was kicked out. One month later, he was found drowned in his swimming pool. (Official coronor's report: "death by misadventure.") Jones was reportedly buried 10 feet underground (as opposed to the standard 6) to prevent trophy hunters from digging up his body.
Died: July 3, 1969
Cause of Death: Drowning
Gravesite: Cheltenham Cemetery, England
Although Brian Jones founded The Rolling Stones, he was quickly overshadowed by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. As he became increasingly addicted to drugs, his role in the band decreased, and eventually he was kicked out. One month later, he was found drowned in his swimming pool. (Official coronor's report: "death by misadventure.") Jones was reportedly buried 10 feet underground (as opposed to the standard 6) to prevent trophy hunters from digging up his body.
8
Richey Edwards
Claim to Fame: Guitarist and lyricist for the Manic Street Preachers
Died: Presumed dead since November 23, 2008
Cause of Death: Disappearance
Gravesite: Unknown
The case of Welsh musician Richey Edwards is especially mysterious. On February 1, 1995, the day he was scheduled to fly to the US to promote his band The Manic Street Preachers, Edwards disappeared. His eloquent, intelligent, politicized lyrics garnered a loyal fanbase, and over the years there have been various unconfirmed sightings of the disappeared musician. However, many believe he jumped to his death from a bridge not far from where his abandoned car was discovered by police.
Died: Presumed dead since November 23, 2008
Cause of Death: Disappearance
Gravesite: Unknown
The case of Welsh musician Richey Edwards is especially mysterious. On February 1, 1995, the day he was scheduled to fly to the US to promote his band The Manic Street Preachers, Edwards disappeared. His eloquent, intelligent, politicized lyrics garnered a loyal fanbase, and over the years there have been various unconfirmed sightings of the disappeared musician. However, many believe he jumped to his death from a bridge not far from where his abandoned car was discovered by police.