February 20th would have marked Kurt Cobain’s 44th birthday. Kurt was the founder, singer/song writer and guitarist for the grunge band Nirvana. April 5th 1994 was a solemn day when Kurt’s body was found after committing suicide in his Seattle home at the age of 27. His death was a devastating loss to the music community and to all those who felt comfort in Kurt’s screaming vocals. To this day there are people who question the validity of Kurt’s suicide, but is there something larger at play? Kurt is one of many famous musicians who died at the age of 27. More than three dozen rockers, from the Delta blues master Robert Johnson, the Stooges bassist Dave Alexander, to Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones, have died at this tragic early age. Is this just a coincidence, or is there some mysterious force taking these amazingly talented individuals from the world so early in their lives?
The 27 Club: Just a Coincidence?
The 27 Club (also called Forever 27 club) is a name given to the group of musicians who have died at the early age of 27. More famous musicians have died at this age than any other age. The list ranges in a variety of individuals, from all musical backgrounds and talents, with many different causes of death. But why have all these musicians left the earth at the age of 27?
The number 27 is a fortunate number, promising reward, authority, power and command, but this isn’t the case in the music world. 27 is a popular number in the religious world as well, representing the Holy Trinity, according to Abellio. The number 3 is the symbol of the Trinity, since there are 3 dimensions in the world, and trinity is everywhere, it would be 3x3x3...which equals 27. But that’s not the only symbolism that the number 27 holds. According to Alfred Weysen, twenty seven is a lunar symbol, indicating the light in darkness. It is the symbol of the divine light. On the other hand, J. Boehme calls this number "the death”, a symbol that much better suits the likes of the 27 Club.
Gone But Not Forgotten; the Members of the 27 Club
Among this long list of deceased musicians are five individuals who are the most talked about, and most famous of them all.
Brian Jones
Born: February 28, 1942, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
Died: July 3, 1969, Hartfield, Sussex, England
Cause of Death: Found dead in his swimming pool. “Death by misadventure,” the coroner’s report said.
Jimi Hendrix
Born: November 27, 1942, Seattle, Washington
Died: September 18, 1970, London, England
Cause of Death: Apparently drowned in his own vomit after mixing wine with sleeping pills.
Janis Joplin
Born: January 19, 1943, Port Arthur, Texas
Died: October 4, 1970, Hollywood, California
Cause of Death: Overdose of heroin and alcohol.
Jim Morrison
Born: December 8, 1943, Melbourne, Florida
Died: July 3, 1971, Paris, France
Cause of Death: Heart failure, according to the official report.
Kurt Cobain
Born: February 20, 1967, Aberdeen, Washington
Died: April 5, 1994, Lake Washington, Washington
Cause of Death: Self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head, according to Seattle police.
These are only five of the long list of individuals belonging to the 27 club, for a full detailed list visit the 27 Club’s website.
These talented musicians died at an early age, putting an abrupt end to their successful music careers. Are the 27’s a pop culture phenomenon, a weird curse, or a statistical anomaly? What would their music be like if they were still among us? Would they be as famous? The questions are endless, but we are drawn to the same conclusion, these musicians died at an early age. The influence of their music runs in the veins of today's musicians, fuelling inspiration and creativity, they will never be forgotten.
“Death makes angels of us all and gives us wings where we had shoulders smooth as ravens claws.” Jim Morrison
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