27 Club

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Notional club occupied by those who died at age 27

The 27 Club is an informal list consisting mostly of popular musicians[1][2][3][4] and other celebrities who died at age 27. Although the claim of a "statistical spike" for the death of musicians at that age has been refuted by scientific research, it remains a common cultural conception that the phenomenon exists, with many celebrities who die at 27 noted for their high-risk lifestyles.

Cultural perception

Beginning with the deaths of several 27-year-old popular musicians between 1969 and 1971 (such as Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison), dying at the age of 27 came to be, and remains, a perennial subject of popular culture, celebrity journalism, and entertainment industry lore.[1][2] This perceived phenomenon, which came to be known as the "27 Club", attributes special significance to popular musicians, artists, actors, and other celebrities who died at age 27, often as a result of drug and alcohol abuse or violent means such as homicide, suicide, or transportation-related accidents.[5] The cultural interpretation of events gave rise to an urban myth that celebrity deaths are more common at 27, a claim that has been refuted by statistical research as discussed in the scientific studies section below.[6][3] However, a subsequent statistical analysis demonstrated that the myth itself has shaped cultural memory by boosting the visibility and cultural prominence of those who die at 27.[7] This phenomenon, deemed the "27 Club effect", reflects the power of collective storytelling and media reinforcement in turning unrelated events into lasting cultural narratives.

White lighter myth

A white disposable lighter

The white lighter myth or white lighter curse is an urban legend based on the 27 Club in which it is claimed several musicians and artists died while in possession of a white disposable cigarette lighter, leading such items to become associated with bad fortune.[8][9] The myth is primarily based on the deaths of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, and Kurt Cobain.[10][11] The myth has been integrated with cannabis culture.[12]

In 2017, Snopes published an article discrediting the theory, noting that Bic did not begin producing white disposable lighters until 1973, several years after the deaths of some members of the 27 Club (including Hendrix, Joplin, and Morrison) and that disposable lighters produced by other companies were not widely available at that time.[13]

History

Jim Morrison, lead singer of the rock band the Doors and among the first people associated with the 27 Club.

Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison all died at the age of 27 between 1969 and 1971. At the time, the coincidence gave rise to some comment,[14][15] but, according to Charles R. Cross, a biographer of Hendrix and Kurt Cobain, "it wasn't until Kurt Cobain took his own life in 1994 that the idea of the 27 Club arrived in the popular zeitgeist."[16] Cross claims that the "launch of the Club concept" can be traced to the growing influence of the Internet and sensational celebrity journalism on popular culture in the years following Cobain's death, as well as media interpretations of a statement by Cobain's mother, Wendy Fradenburg Cobain O'Connor, quoted in the local Aberdeen, Washington, newspaper The Daily World, and subsequently carried worldwide by the Associated Press: "Now he's gone and joined that stupid club. I told him not to join that stupid club."[17] Many contemporary journalists interpreted her words as referring to the infamous untimely deaths of fellow rock musicians like Hendrix, Joplin, and Morrison, a view shared by Cross and R. Gary Patterson, chronicler of rock music urban myth.[18][19][16][20]

That's really selfish to live to 90 years old unless you have something to offer like maybe William Burroughs. I definitely don't want to be that old. I feel more bonded with the Jim Morrison type of living on the edge, rock & roll poet, in a conservative way.
–Kurt Cobain[21]

The intended meaning of "that stupid club" referred to by Cobain's mother is disputed. In his analysis of how her quote helped popularize the 27 Club, Eric Segalstad, author of The 27s: The Greatest Myth of Rock & Roll, asserted that she was actually referring to the "tragic family matter" of Cobain's two uncles and his great-uncle, all of whom had committed suicide.[22] Other contemporary journalists linked her quote to the then-recent heroin-related deaths of fellow young Seattle rock musicians Stefanie Sargent of 7 Year Bitch and Andrew Wood of Mother Love Bone, both aged 24.[23] Cross, himself, dismissed "the absurd notion that Kurt Cobain intentionally timed his death so he could join the 27 Club", noting that Cobain "had nearly died from drug overdoses on at least two dozen occasions in the year before his death... [and] made several previous suicide attempts at various ages."[16]

In 2011, Amy Winehouse died at the age of 27, prompting a renewed swell of media attention devoted to the 27 Club.[24] Three years earlier, Winehouse's personal assistant, Alex Haines, told the British press that Winehouse, then 25, feared she would join Jim Morrison, Brian Jones, and Kurt Cobain in dying at 27: "She reckoned she would join the 27 Club of rock stars who died at that age. She told me, 'I have a feeling I'm gonna die young.'"[25]

Scientific studies

Despite the cultural significance given to musician and celebrity deaths at age 27, the common claim that they are statistically more common at this age is an urban myth, refuted by scientific research.[1][2][3]

A study by university academics published in the British Medical Journal in December 2011 concluded that there was no increase in the risk of death for musicians at the age of 27, stating that there were equally small increases at ages 25 and 32. The study noted that young adult musicians have a higher death rate than the general young adult population, surmising that the conclusion that could be drawn is as such: "fame may increase the risk of death among musicians, but this risk is not limited to age 27".[6]

A 2014 article at The Conversation suggested that statistical evidence shows popular musicians are most likely to die at the age of 56 (2.2% compared to 1.3% at 27).[3]

The 27 Club frequently appears by name and reference in popular culture and mass media. Several exhibitions have been devoted to the idea, as well as novels, films, stage plays, songs, video games, and comics.[4][26][27][28]

Music

Hendrix, Joplin, and Morrison have been referred to as the "holy trinity" of 1960s rock.[29] (In this newsreel, Hendrix is incorrectly identified as being 24 at the time of his death, even though he was in fact 27.)
  • The title of the song "27" by Fall Out Boy from their 2008 album Folie à Deux is a reference to the club. The lyrics explore the hedonistic lifestyles common in rock and roll. Pete Wentz, the primary lyricist of Fall Out Boy, wrote the song because he felt that he was living a similarly dangerous lifestyle.[30]
  • John Craigie's song "28", which appeared on his 2009 album Montana Tale, and 2018 live album Opening for Steinbeck, is written from the perspective of 27 Club members Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, and Kurt Cobain, as each contemplates their respective mortality and imagines what they would do differently "if I could only make it to twenty-eight".[31][32] Craigie wrote the song when he himself was age 27.[33]
  • The theme is referenced in the song "27 Forever" by Eric Burdon, on his 2013 album 'Til Your River Runs Dry.[34]
  • Magenta's studio album The Twenty Seven Club (2013) directly references the club. Each track is a tribute to a member of the club.[35]
  • Halsey's song "Colors", from her debut album Badlands (2015), includes the line: "I hope you make it to the day you're 28 years old."[36]
  • Mac Miller's song "Brand Name", from his 2015 album GO:OD AM, features the line "To everyone who sell me drugs, don't mix it with that bullshit, I'm hopin' not to join the 27 Club." Miller died in 2018 at the age of 26 from a drug overdose, after consuming counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl.[37]
  • Frank Ocean referenced the club and the white lighter myth on the song "Nights" from his 2016 album Blonde, where he says: "No white lighters 'til I fuck my twenty-eighth up."[38]
  • JPEGMafia's album Black Ben Carson (2016) includes a song titled "The 27 Club", which the song refers to the club. He references members Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Kurt Cobain.[39]
  • Adore Delano released a song called "27 Club" on her studio album Whatever (2017), with the repeated lyric: "All of the legends die at twenty-seven." Delano was aged 27 at the time of release.[40]
  • Juice Wrld referenced the club on his song "Legends" (2018), where he says: "What's the 27 Club? We ain't making it past 21."[41]
  • Nessa Barrett's song "La Di Die", released in collaboration with Jxdn in 2021, contains a reference to the club: "I'll be dead at 27, only nine more years to go."[42]

Video games

  • In the video game Hitman (2016), one of the in-game missions, Club 27, involves killing an indie musician who is celebrating his 27th birthday.[43]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c McKinney, Kelsey. "Despite the huge myth, musicians don't die at 27 — they die at 56". Vox. Archived from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Butler, Jack (July 7, 2021). "The Myth of the 27 Club". National Review. Archived from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d Kenny, Dianna Theadora (November 18, 2014). "The 27 Club is a myth: 56 is the bum note for musicians". The Conversation. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Segalstad, Eric (2008). The 27s: The Greatest Myth of Rock & Roll. Samadhi Creations, LLC. ISBN 978-0-615-18964-2.
  5. ^ Weiss, David. "Amy Winehouse & The 27 Club". Life Goes Strong. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
  6. ^ a b Wolkewitz M, Allignol A, Graves N, Barnett A (December 20, 2011). "Christmas 2011: Death's Dominion Is 27 really a dangerous age for famous musicians? A retrospective cohort study". The BMJ. 343 d7799. doi:10.1136/bmj.d7799. PMC 3243755. PMID 22187325.
  7. ^ Dunivin, Zackary O.; Kaminski, Patrick (October 16, 2024). "Path dependence, stigmergy, and memetic reification in the formation of the 27 Club myth". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 121 (46) e2413373121. Bibcode:2024PNAS..12113373D. doi:10.1073/pnas.2413373121. PMC 11573623. PMID 39495913.
  8. ^ La Jackson (November 28, 2014). Musicology 2102: A Quick Start Guide to Diverse Synergies. L.A. Jackson. pp. 144–. ISBN 978-0-578-15469-5.
  9. ^ "15 Craziest Urban Legends of Rock and Roll". MSN. March 20, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
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  12. ^ M.H. Kent (April 14, 2014). "20-year anniversary marks Cobain's tragedy". State Press. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  13. ^ Evon, Dan (January 2, 2017). "Did Several Musicians Die with White BIC Lighters in Their Pockets?". Snopes. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  14. ^ Roberts, Nesta (September 10, 1971). "Flower Bower". The Guardian. UK. p. 13.
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  18. ^ Dee Norton; Peyton Whitely; Dave Birkland; Barbara Serrano (April 8, 1994). "Nirvana's Cobain Dead – Suicide Note, Shotgun Near Body Of Musician At His Seattle Home – Mother: 'Now He's Gone And Joined That Stupid Club'". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  19. ^ Egan, Timothy (April 9, 1994). "Kurt Cobain, Hesitant Poet Of 'Grunge Rock,' Dead at 27". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  20. ^ R. Gary Patterson. Take a Walk on the Dark Side: Rock and Roll Myths, Legends, and Curses. p. 259.
  21. ^ Trakin, Roy (1991). "In Utero: Cobain Speaks". Hits Daily Double. Archived from the original on March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  22. ^ Josh Hunter; Eric Segalstad (2008). The 27s: The Greatest Myth of Rock & Roll. Berkeley Lake: Samadhi Creations. p. 12. ISBN 978-0-615-18964-2. Retrieved September 20, 2010.
  23. ^ Harrington, Lei (April 9, 1994). "Nirvana Singer Found Dead". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 28, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
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  25. ^ "The Inquisitr: Stating the Obvious, Amy Winehouse". Inquisitr.com. December 28, 2008. Archived from the original on June 13, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
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  28. ^ The Curse of 27: They Have Three Things in Common. Talent, Fame... and a Tragic Death at the Age of 27. the 27 Club. Forever 27. Pillar Box Red Publishing Limited. August 2011. ISBN 978-1-907823-22-0.
  29. ^ Queenan, Joe (2008). "A little respect". The Guardian.
  30. ^ Chick, Stevie (October 23, 2008). "Chemical brothers". The Guardian. Archived from the original on October 7, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
  31. ^ "What is the Rock and Roll 27 Club?". Mental Itch. December 13, 2017. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  32. ^ "Fringe Review: 'The 27 Club' at Warehouse". Maryland Theatre Guide. July 15, 2014. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  33. ^ John Craigie – Full Performance (Live on KEXP), March 19, 2019, archived from the original on August 17, 2022, retrieved February 8, 2024
  34. ^ "Eric Burdon Speaks His Mind on New LP". Rolling Stone. February 5, 2013. Archived from the original on July 16, 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  35. ^ Menshikov, Vitaly (November 21, 2013). "Review: The Twenty Seven Club". Progressor. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  36. ^ Davis, Elizabeth (May 4, 2021). "The joy we take in watching colours fade: Our fascination with Kurt Cobain and The 27 Club". The Glitter and Gold. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  37. ^ Blistein, Jon (October 2, 2019). "Mac Miller: Three Men Officially Charged in Connection with Rapper's Death". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  38. ^ Wete, Brad (August 22, 2016). "Frank Ocean's 'Blonde' Proves Why Artists Shouldn't Be Rushed". Billboard.
  39. ^ "A conversation with JPEGMAFIA, the MC who raps like the internet feels". Dazed Digital. March 28, 2019. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  40. ^ "Adore Delano Talks New Punk Album 'Whatever', the '27 Club' & Being Nonbinary: 'Gender Isn't a Real Thing'". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  41. ^ Mamo, Heran (December 19, 2019). "Here Are the Lyrics to Juice WRLD's 'Legends'". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 25, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  42. ^ Janes, Kesa (March 8, 2021). "Song Review: "La Di Die" by Nessa Barret ft. Jxdn". 89.1 the Point. Archived from the original on February 23, 2025. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  43. ^ "We Help a Rock Star Join Club 27 in Hitman's Bangkok Level". Outside Xbox. Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved March 2, 2019.

Bibliography