Top 10 27 Club Musicians

The saying, “Legends die at twenty-seven,” comes from the 27 Club. It is an informal list but a cultural phenomenon that includes all the artists who died at the age of 27 due to their high-risk lifestyles. Besides that, another fact that these artists share is their success like no other. In memory of the legends of the 27 Club, here are the top 10 27 club artists who solidified the moniker.

Rolling Stone

Brian Jones

Brian Jones was the founder of the legendary rock band ‘The Rolling Stones.’ Jones was an English musician, a slide guitarist who later went on to sing backing vocals on the Rolling Stones’ recordings and concerts. He was proficient at a wide variety of musical instruments including electric and acoustic guitars. Jones formed the Rolling Stones with members Keith Richards and Mick Jagger who took over the band’s musical direction after becoming a successful song-writing team.

Jones developed alcohol and drug problems which led to unreliable performance in his work. He was dismissed from the band in 1969, and it was less than a month later that he drowned in his pool and died at the age of 27.

The Current

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix is regarded as one of the greatest guitarists to ever live. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame described him as the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music. Hendrix started playing guitar at the age of 15 and grew up to be a rock legend who excited audiences in the 1960s with his unique guitar playing. One of his notable performances is said to be at Woodstock in 1969 where he performed “The Star-Spangled Banned.” He died in 1970 due to drug issues, cementing his legacy in the rock world.

Live About

Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin was an American singer and songwriter, one of the most successful rock performers of her era. She was noted for her strong mezzo-soprano vocals and stage presence. Joplin rose to prominence after appearing at the Monterey Pop Festival, where she was the lead singer of the San Francisco psychedelic rock band Big Brother and the Holding Company. She left the band after two albums and became a solo artist. Her most popular songs are “Piece of My Heart,” “Cry Baby,” “Down on Me,” “Ball and Chain,” “Summertime,” and her original song, “Mercedes Benz,” which was also her final recording.

Joplin died from a heroin overdose in 1970, just two weeks after the death of  Hendrix. Joplin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.

Dandblaw

Jim Morrison

Jim Morrison was an American singer, songwriter and poet. He was also the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of rock band The Doors. Morrison is regarded as one of the most influential frontmen in rock history because of his charm, distinctive voice, poetic lyrics and dramatic personal life. He made a total of six albums with The Doors, all of which were a commercial success and critically acclaimed.

Morrison developed an addiction to alcohol that affected his stage performances. He died unexpectedly in a Paris apartment, with the cause of his death remaining disputed due to the lack of autopsy. In 1993, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Blog Rios Mi Music

Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain was the lead singer of Nirvana, one of the greatest rock bands ever. He was the band’s lead vocalist, guitarist, primary songwriter, and founding member. He was heralded as the spokesman of Generation X and is recognized as one of the most influential rock musicians. The band released many successful albums and found an instant rise.

During his final years, he struggled with a heroin addiction and chronic depression, personal and professional aspects of his popularity. Cobain was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On April 8, 1994, he tragically died by shooting himself in the head.

Hooks Bros. Photography Company in Memphis, Tenn., circa 1935.

Robert Johnson

Robert Leroy Johnson was said to have sold his soul to the devil for his musical gifts. His guitar techniques and lyrics are cited by many artists, such as Bob Dylan and Keith Richards. Despite only having released two albums, one in 1936 and another in 1937, Johnson became highly influential. He is known as a master of the Blues variation, the Delta Blues, which grew in the Mississippi Delta area.

Johnson did not reach a wider audience or become famous until after his death. A producer named Alan Lomax added tracks like “Hellhound on My Trail” from his original album to the King of the Delta Blues Singers album in 1961, which captured the attention of mainstream listeners.  The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame even suggested that Johnson was one of the earliest rock stars. Robert Johnson is also a part of our Top 10 Golden Era Icons article.

Flickr/Andy Cantarell

Amy Winehouse

A talented English singer, Amy Winehouse rose to fame with her first album “Frank.” Her second album, “Back to Black” made Winehouse a household name. At the age of 27 years and 312 days, her time was cut short due to alcohol poisoning. Winehouse was a modern-day contralto singer who blended genres such as soul, rhythm and blues, reggae and jazz to create her music. Rehab from “Back to Black” was named the best song of 2007 by Time Magazine.

Courtesy of Facebook

Alexandre Levy

One of the earliest recorded 27 club members, Alexandre Levy is a Brazilian composer, pianist and conductor. He is descended from French Jewish parents; his father was a clarinetist and founder of one of Sao Paulo’s most important musical businesses. Born in Sao Paulo, Levy passed away in 1892 from unknown causes. His compositions were a fusion of classical and Brazilian folk and rhythms. The composer influenced many musicians during and after his passing. For example, Levy’s music has influenced fellow composers like Darius Milhaud.

Far Out Magazine

Leslie Harvey

Leslie Cameron Harvey was a guitarist for multiple bands, the most infamous being Stone the Crows. He was even offered a chance to join the Animals but turned it down to continue to play with his brother, Alex. Harvey was born in Gavan, Glasgow in 1944. He passed away in 1972 electrocuted on stage performing. Harvey was performing at the Top Rank Suite in Swansea holding an ungrounded mike and playing the metal strings of his guitar. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the nearby hospital.

McKernan sits in the second row on the left. Flickr/Dick Hamilton

Ron “Pigpen” McKernan

Ron “Pigpen” McKernan was an American rock and blues musician. McKernan was one of the founding members of the rock band, Grateful Dead. His role diminished as Grateful Dead’s music moved away from blues and garage rock, however, McKernan continued to be frontman during tours, singing and playing the harmonica. He played with the band until he died in 1972. McKernan picked up the nickname Pigpen, a reference to the constantly dirty cartoon character Pigpen from The Peanuts, from his unkempt habits.

As Our Journey Through the Landscape of 27 Club Legends Ends…

We are saddened by the loss the world has seen of talented individuals whose careers had only just begun. The Funktasy team wishes to extend their appreciation for your support in our struggle to choose the top 10 among all the 27 Club legends. Whether a blues fan or a punk fan, one cannot deny the standard these individuals set for themselves, the worldwide recognition they receive, nor the influence on future stars these legends exhibit. Until we meet again, take a look at some of our other top 10s here.