The Curse of the 27 Club has left a trail of devastation in the music industry, claiming the lives of some of its brightest stars.
The legend of this ill-fated club gained attention when iconic rock musicians like Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison all died at the age of 27 in the 1970s.
Since then, the untimely death of Amy Winehouse in 2011 revived interest in this eerie pattern.
Here is a list of talented artists who met their demise at the young age of 27.
Robert Johnson (1911-1938)
Born in rural Mississippi, Robert Johnson was a blues singer and guitarist who initially received little recognition during his lifetime.
However, in the 1960s, he was rediscovered and became an influential figure for rock and roll pioneers.
Legend has it that Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his extraordinary talent, which he showcased through street performances and the 29 songs he recorded between 1936 and 1937.
His life was tragically cut short when he was allegedly poisoned by a jealous lover's partner.
Brian Jones (1942-1969)
As a founding member of the Rolling Stones, Brian Jones played a crucial role in shaping the band alongside Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
Unfortunately, his severe substance abuse problem took a toll on his health and led to his alienation from his bandmates.
In June 1969, Jones was forced out of the group, and a month later, he was found dead at the bottom of his swimming pool.
Authorities reported that he drowned while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, although recent evidence suggests foul play may have been involved.
Alan ‘Blind Owl' Wilson (1943-1970)
Known as Blind Owl due to his poor eyesight, Alan Wilson was the leader of the American blues band Canned Heat, which performed at the iconic Woodstock festival in 1969.
He was a talented songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player who even taught the aging blues legend Son House how to play his own songs.
Despite struggling with mental illness and previous suicide attempts, Wilson tragically died from a drug overdose in September 1970, becoming the first of three acclaimed musicians to pass away at 27 that year.
Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970)
Renowned as one of the greatest electric guitarists in history, Jimi Hendrix revolutionized rock and roll during his short but impactful four-year career.
In September 1970, he tragically died in London, suffocating on his own vomit.
His girlfriend claimed that Hendrix, a heavy drug user with a fondness for LSD, had consumed a handful of sleeping pills along with red wine before going to bed.
Janis Joplin (1943-1970)
Originally from Texas, Janis Joplin captivated the San Francisco music scene with her soulful vocals and powerful stage presence.
She first gained fame as the lead singer of Big Brother and the Holding Company before embarking on a successful solo career.
Despite numerous attempts to overcome her addiction, Joplin spiraled deeper into heroin and alcohol abuse as her stardom soared.
Sadly, she succumbed to a heroin overdose in October 1970, just weeks after Jimi Hendrix's death.
Jim Morrison (1943-1971)
A poet and avid reader of philosophy, Jim Morrison rose to fame as the lead singer and lyricist of The Doors, a band he co-founded in 1965.
By 1969, his excessive drinking became a problem, causing tardiness and fueling wild behavior on stage.
In July 1971, Morrison died of a heart attack, likely triggered by a heroin overdose, while living in Paris.
It is believed that he mistook the drug for cocaine and ingested a fatal amount.
Ron ‘Pigpen' McKernan (1945-1973)
One of the founding members of the Grateful Dead, Ron McKernan, nicknamed Pigpen, did not share his bandmates' affinity for psychedelic drugs.
However, his heavy drinking took a toll on his health, leading to cirrhosis in 1970.
By 1972, his condition worsened to the point where he could no longer tour.
In March 1973, McKernan tragically passed away from an internal hemorrhage.
Pete Ham (1947-1975)
Pete Ham, the lead vocalist of rock band Badfinger, played a significant role in creating some of their most popular songs, including “Baby Blue” and “No Matter What.”
He also co-wrote the number-one hit “Without You,” which later became a success for Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey.
Ham collaborated with the Beatles after they signed to their Apple label, contributing to their hit single “Come And Get It.”
Sadly, Ham died just days before his 28th birthday, on April 27, 1975.
Kurt Cobain (1967-1994)
Kurt Cobain, an icon of the Seattle grunge scene, formed the band Nirvana in 1985.
The group achieved mainstream success in the early 1990s.
Cobain battled mental illness, chronic health issues, and a heroin addiction under the intense scrutiny of the public eye.
In April 1994, he tragically took his own life, leaving behind his wife, musician Courtney Love, and their infant daughter.
Amy Winehouse (1983-2011)
Amy Winehouse, an English singer-songwriter with a powerful voice and unique style, garnered numerous awards and accolades throughout her career.
However, her struggle with drug and alcohol addiction was widely publicized and even served as inspiration for some of her songs, notably the hit “Rehab.”
On July 23, 2011, Winehouse was found dead in her London apartment, becoming the latest addition to the tragic list of musicians who passed away at the age of 27.
