8 Members Of The 27 Club (or Musicians Who Died At 27)

The one club you don't want to belong to

The 27 Club is a term that refers to a number of popular musicians who died at age 27, often as a result of drug and alcohol abuse, or violent means such as homicide or suicide

1. Brian Jones

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(28 February 1942 – 3 July 1969)

Jones was the original leader of The Rolling Stones. He devloped a serious drug problem and was asked to leave the band in 1969 (replaced by Mick Taylor). Less than a month later, Jones drowned in the swimming pool at his home.

2. "Jimi" Hendrix

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( November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970)

One of the most influential guitarists of all time. He was also the world's highest paid performer at the time of his death and most famously headlined Woodstock and blew the world away with his cover of 'The Star Spangled Banner'. Many have tried to imitate his style, few (if any) have succeeded.

The inquest into his death in London concluded that Hendrix aspirated his own vomit and died of asphyxia while intoxicated with barbiturates.

3. Janis Joplin

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(January 19, 1943 – October 4, 1970)

Janis was a successful singer-songwriter who had several hits, both in a group and as a solo artist. Joplin charted five singles; other popular songs include: "Down on Me"; "Summertime"; "Piece of My Heart"; "Ball 'n' Chain"; "Maybe"; "To Love Somebody"; "Kozmic Blues"; "Work Me, Lord"; "Cry Baby"; "Mercedes Benz"; and her only number one hit, "Me and Bobby McGee".

After failing to arrive at a recording session, manager John Cooke drove to the Hollywood Hotel Joplin was staying at, only to find that she had died. The official cause of death was an overdose of heroin, possibly compounded by alcohol.

via Wikipedia

4. Jim Morrison

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(December 8, 1943 – July 3, 1971)

The lead singer to The Doors, Morrison was also a songwriter and a poet and was regarded as one of the most iconic and influential performers of the time.

He died and was buried in Paris, of an alleged heroin overdose

5. Amy Winehouse

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(14 September 1983 – 23 July 2011)

Was an English singer/songwriter that spent years in and out of rehab (ironically, the title of her greatest hit). Her amazing vocals and adapability were sadly no match to the drugs and alcohol that ravaged her life. She was found dead by her bodyguard in her flat in London with a blood alcohol reading five times over the legal limit.

6. Kristen Pfaff

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(May 26, 1967 – June 16, 1994)

Best known for being the bassist for rock band Hole, Pfaff was found dead in her apartment. Her death was attributed to "acute opiate intoxication"

7. Ron "Pigpen" McKernan

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(September 8, 1945 – March 8, 1973)

Founding member of the Grateful Dead, 'Pigpen' sang and played organ and harmonica. On March 8, 1973, he was found dead of a gastrointestinal hemorrhage at his home in Corte Madera, California. It was found to be related to years of drug and alcohol abuse.

8. Kurt Cobain

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(February 20, 1967 – April 5, 1994).

Perhaps the most well-known and notorious member of the 27 club of recent times, Cobain was the founding member of legendary band Nirvana. The meteoric rise and the fame associated with it, along with personal issues, Cobain sadly took her own life.