Everyone knows the myth: 27 years old would be a fatal age for music stars. It is true that it has little substance: Dianna Kenny, professor of psychology at the University of Sydney, Australia, found that, in fact, the age of 56 is which are the worst age for rock stars. In her research, Dianna found that 2.2% of the analyzed musicians died at 56 years of age, while only 0.85% died at 27. However, it is a fact that great rock and blues artists lost – or took away – their life at exactly that age. The unfortunate coincidence made many people associate these musicians with the “Clube dos 27” – a sad memorial of lost talents. Remember important figures in the circle and ask yourself with us: curse or coincidence?
TDF suggested – Allan Francisco
1) Jimi Hendrix
He was born: 11/27/1942 / He died: 09/18/1970
The American musician is considered by several critics as the best guitarist in the world. Jimi died in London in 1970, and even today his death is a mystery. He was found in an apartment, drowning in his own vomit, which was mostly red wine. Chances range from suicide to homicide committed by the singer’s girlfriend
2) Brian Jones
He was born: 02/28/1942 / He died: 7/3/1969
Because of his drug abuse, the founding guitarist of the Rolling Stones was removed from the band in 1969. He was found dead in the swimming pool of his home, in Sussex, England, in the same year. Death was recorded as accidental, likely caused by drug and alcohol use on the day.
3) D. Boon
He was born: 01/04/1958 / He died: 12/22/1985
Born Dennes Boon, he was best known for being the lead singer and guitarist for the band Minutemen. His playing style was very different from other hardcore punk guitarists, as he used funk and blues influences. He died after falling out of a van and breaking his neck in a car accident in the Arizona desert.
4) Kristen Pfaff
He was born: 05/26/1967 / He died: 06/16/1994
Kristen went through several bands, but became known for her work in Hole, along with Courtney Love. The bassist lived for a period in Seattle and ended up becoming close friends with Kurt Cobain. It was in this city that she died, in 1994, of a possible heroin overdose.
5) Dave Alexander
He was born:06/03/1947 / He died:02/10/1975
Born in the USA, Dave was the original bassist for The Stooges, whose lead singer was none other than Iggy Pop. Due to alcoholism and an unhealthy lifestyle, Dave died of pulmonary edema in 1975
6) Amy Winehouse
He was born: 12/14/1983 / He died: 07/23/2011
Owner of a powerful voice and a troubled lifestyle, the English singer drew attention in the tabloids for her fights with her husband and for her disconcerting thinness. But she lived free, without worrying about other people’s opinion. In 2011, she was found dead in her apartment. After a few months, the cause was discovered: alcohol abuse after a period of abstinence.
7) Janis Joplin
He was born: 01/19/1943 / He died: 10/04/1970
Born and raised in Texas, the singer was a frequent user of drugs and alcohol. In 1970, in the middle of recording, Janis never returned to the studio. She was found dead, with needle marks on her arms, which led to the hypothesis of a heroin overdose mixed with alcohol consumption.
8) Ron “Pigpen” McKernan
He was born: 09/08/1945 / He died: 03/08/1973
He was one of the founding members of the North American band Grateful Dead, where he was vocalist, keyboardist, played harmonica, percussion and, from time to time, he ventured with the guitar. It is said that he liked to drink whiskey even from a bottle and that he was rarely sober. He died in 1973 due to a gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
9) Pete Ham
He was born: 04/27/1947 / He died: 04/24/1975
Born in Wales, Pete was a songwriter and lead singer for Badfinger, a band sponsored by the Beatles. The group enjoyed great success in the late 1960s, but soon began to experience problems and hit rock bottom. They sank into debt and the musician found himself with no way out. He hanged himself in 1975 in the garage of the house where he lived.
10) Richey James Edwards
He was born: 12/02/1967 / He died: 02/01/1995
Guitarist and songwriter for the English band Manic Street Preachers. As the group became famous, Richey had more problems, such as depression and substance abuse. In 1995, he abandoned his car near the Severen Bridge in London, famous for the large number of suicides. His body was never found
11) Kurt Cobain
He was born:02/20/1967 /He died:04/05/1994
Born and raised in Seattle, the lead singer and founder of the grunge band Nirvana amassed millions of fans during his (short) career in rock. Depressed, Kurt killed himself in 1994, shooting himself in the head. At his request, the set of the MTV Unplugged concert four months earlier had been decorated as a funeral.
12) Les Harvey
He was born: 09/13/1944 / He died: 05/03/1972
The Scotsman was a guitarist in several bands during the 1960s and 70s, most notably Stone the Crows. His death was one of the most tragic of the Club: he died electrocuted during a show. The wiring was not grounded and Les had a wet hand.
13) Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson
He was born: 07/04/1943 / He died: 09/03/1970
Leader of the American band Canned Heat, Alan was also a vocalist and main songwriter. He was always high at shows and recordings. After suicide attempts and a stay in a psychiatric hospital, he died of an overdose that, according to many, was deliberate.
14) Gary Thain
He was born: 05/15/1948 / He died: 12/8/1975
Born in New Zealand, Gary was the third bass player for Uriah Heep. He was addicted to heroin, which ended up causing problems for the group. In 1975, he was electrocuted by his bass guitar during a performance, but was unharmed. That same year, shortly after his departure from the band, he died of an overdose.
15) Richard Turner
He was born: 07/30/1984 / He died: 08/11/2011
Richard was the trumpeter and one of the songwriters for the English indie rock band Friendly Fires, which became famous in 2008. Widely recognized for his talent, the artist died of a heart attack while swimming in a pool in south London
16) Jim Morrison
He was born:12/08/1943 / He died:03/03/1971
The controversial lead singer of The Doors was known for his rebellion and alcohol and drug abuse. He died in Paris, lying in a bathtub, in 1971. The body was never autopsied, but it is speculated that the death was caused by a heroin overdose.