Digital History Project
What is the 27 Club?
The 27 Club is a cultural phenomenon that works to highlight the deaths of those in the music industry who died at the age of 27. Often these musicians died tragic deaths which include accidents, suicide, drug and alcohol overdose, and even murder. The idea first came to light in the 1960s when Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Brian Jones, and Jim Morrison all died at 27 years old. However, when Kurt Cobain died at 27 on April 5th, 1994, this tragic phenomenon was given a name: "The 27 Club".
Kurt Cobain. (https://www.flickr.com/photos/queenieandthedew/6833389186/in/photolist-bpQUwW-7cGBVT-5F5HxV-2G94VD-6dNSXE-5JJ5f7-t5kq9-XankKB-6PEzyc-a8LuJy-6Au7Kc-6Au81z-6Au7NV-6Aygg9-6Aygsh-6Aygdq-61uH9v-x2KKfd-8vxqeD-8vhvpu-pDmQoP-58FrUt-H77CZ-3bZ7cq-3KVhNQ-eEtNeW-8wPDrZ-6TZxBG-7cGqZD-5dwSoB-8vAsLG-8vfaeD-8vwUgm-8vtRqk-8vfacP-8vwU9f-8vesvz-8vAsR9-8vhvjy-8vhvbw-8vwUeW-8vhvfd-8vfagD-8vesBz-jirqS-2mp2Yrd-dVw98y-do8cU-6JpZnT-2mAXD2m.) Sally (https://www.flickr.com/photos/queenieandthedew/)
CC BY-NC 2.0
Who are the members?
Causes of Death
Why is the club important?
Amy Winehouse (https://www.flickr.com/photos/rocor/13781931714/in/photolist-mZS19j-mZQh3r-5BHd6o-5ABHfY-a9DABH-a9GnAo-a9DzBt-a9GnZG-a9GnQw-a9DA6n-a9GnNo-a9GnVG-a9DzWz-a9GnRS-a9GodS-a9GobY-a9DAee-a9DA1X-a9DAAg-a9DAoa-a9DzVM-a9DAGr-a9DzUZ-a9DzCe-a9DAkr-a9GnGQ-a9GnEA-a9DAhZ-a9DA74-a9DADZ-a9DADa-a9Goxy-a9Gopj-a9DzFD-a9DAzH-a9DA8r-a9DAjP-a9Go2j-a9Go1m-a9DzPp-a9GnDN-a9DAhr-a9DzZv-a9DAqT-a9Gotd-a9GnBA-a9DA7F-a9Go9A-a9DA9M-a9Goum) Rocor (https://www.flickr.com/photos/rocor/) CC BY-NC 2.0
The 27 Club has been cited in music magazines, journals and the daily press. Many artists such as Juice WRLD, Hasley, Mac Miller, and Daughtry have all referenced the club in their music. Several exhibitions have been devoted to the club, as well as novels, films and stage plays. Many murals have also been painted in the 27 Club's honor. The 27 Club's grasp on popular culture seems to be a combination of the incredible talent of the musicians that died at this age combined with the tragedies that caused their untimely deaths.
Scientific Studies
Is 27 really a dangerous age to die for musicians? According to one cohort study conducted in 2011 that utilized survival analysis with age as exposure, the age 27 had no increased risk of death for musicians. The study looked at the lives of musicians (solo artists and band members) who had a number-one album in the UK between 1956 and 2007. There was no peak risk around the age 27. However, the risk of death for musicians increased significantly around their 20s and 30s. In fact, a musician was two or three times more likely to die in these age brackets compared to the general population of the UK.
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