THE 27 CLUB  is a part of rock and roll history that is tragic and not a club to strive for in the music business. The term came about really around the tragic events of the 1970s when four notable rock stars passed away all close in time to each other. Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Brian Jones and Jim Morrison. Other rock stars tragically joined the club through the years. Not just rock stars but also famous actors lost their lives to addiction, suicide, and auto accidents.

The 27 Club

Actors in the 27 Club  

Childhood actor, Jonathan Brandais, from One Life To Live, took his own life by suicide. Actor Anton Yelchin from the Star Trek Series. Pamela Courson who was the long-time companion of Jim Morrison died at the age of 27. Andrea Absolonová, better known as  Lea De Mae, is an adult model and pornographic actress.

Burning the candle at both ends, riding the waves of fame sometimes isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. Notoriety in rock and roll heaven could play a part in history. But some of these idols lived life with no regard to consequence. Yet some of these artists even today have a conspiracy that is unsolved on how they passed. Some say, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain even Chris Cornell had mystery on how and why they passed away.

The Big Six

The Big Six refers to Brian Jones from the Rolling Stones. Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse.

The Doors with Jim Morrison

27 The University Study 

A study in the British Medical Journal in December of 2011 said there was no risk of death for musicians at the age of 27, stating that there were equal small increases at 25 and 32. “Fame” may increase the risk of death among musicians, but not just at the age of 27. Fame has its price sometimes just ask Robert Johnson who starts our look at the 27 Club. Some say he made a deal with the devil. Some say he was positioned by a jealous husband.

• Robert Johnson

  Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911 – August 16, 1938) was an American blues musician and songwriter. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that has influenced later generations of musicians. Although his recording career was short-lived, he is recognized as a master of the blues, particularly the Delta blues style, and one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as being “the first ever rock star”.

• Brian Jones from The Rolling Stones

   Alcohol and drugs mixed together and then a late-night swim was said to be the downfall of Brian Jones. One of the mysteries of rock & roll, with many people questioning what happened. Keith Richards has said. “I don’t know what happened, but there was some nasty business going on.”

• Jimi Hendrix

  Jimi Hendrix’s last performance  August 31, 1970. 18 days before his death.  blistering solo on “Dolly Dagger.”

  Jimi Hendrix overdosed and was taken to the Hospital, where an attempt was made to resuscitate him. He was pronounced dead at 12:45 p.m. The post-mortem examination concluded that Hendrix aspirated his own vomit and died of asphyxia.

• Janis Joplin

  “Janis Joplin” died of a heroin overdose in 1970, at the age of 27, after releasing three albums (two with Big Brother and the Holding Company and one solo album). A second solo album, Pearl, was released in January 1971, just over three months after her death.

• Jim Morrison

  On July 3, 1971, Jim Morrison, lead singer of the rock group “The Doors,” — died in Paris. Here is one of the mysteries that some just can’t put a finger on what really happened. The Spring of 1971 That spring, the 27-year-old Jim Morrison moved to Paris, where he had plans to develop his poetry. But, a few months later, he died of a cause that was listed as heart failure, though no autopsy was performed.

• Kurt Cobain from Nirvana

  The Seattle Police Department incident report stated that Cobain was found with a shotgun across his body, had suffered a visible gunshot wound to the head, and that a suicide note had been discovered nearby. The Seattle Police confirmed Cobain’s death as a suicide. Concert is from 10/11/91 – St. Andrew’s Hall, Detroit, Michigan 

• Amy Winehouse

  “Amy Winehouse,” had incredible talent. She died of alcohol poisoning on July 23rd, 2011, at the age of 27. After her passing her album, Back to Black briefly became the best-selling album of the 21st century. VH1 ranked Winehouse 26th on their list of the 100 Greatest Women in Music.

• Peter Ham the Lead Singer from Badfinger

  “Peter Ham” died by suicide in 1975 at the age of 27, when he became depressed while embroiled in band-related issues, such as label and management problems, as well as a lack of money. Song later was even covered by the band Def Leppard.

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