The 27 Club

          The 27 Club, as it has been dubbed, included many "genius" but troubled rock n rollers who all died at the age of 27. Coincidentally, or not, a majority of these members were from the 1960's Counter Culture era where drugs and rock n roll were originally linked.

         Included in this infamous club is Brian Jones, the original founding member of the Rolling Stones, who was increasingly alienated from the band as the band's fame grew. As he was shunned from the Stones, he became more and more dependent on drugs and alcohol. His first arrested for drug use was in May 1967 according to Biography.com, but this was merely a drop in the bucket compared to his troubled young life.  Only a few months after he was officially asked to depart the Stones, Jones was found dead at the bottom of his swimming pool and his death was ruled accidental, though suspicions still surround his death even today. A movie was made, ironically named "Stoned," which portrays the life of Jones, including the sex and drugs which surrounded the rock scene, as well as speculation regarding the circumstances of Brian's "accidental" drowning. The trailer can be seen here: http://youtu.be/TzYTheLQjVA

        Jimi Hendrix, famous for his unique guitar style including his rendition of the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock in 1969, is also an unfortunate member of The 27 Club. Hendrix died on September 8, 1970 from "drug related complications" according to Biography.com. The video for his rendition of the Star Spangled Banner is linked here. This really highlights his unique style which eminated from the psychadelic era.  As a matter of fact, Hendrix is symbolic of Woodstock which, again, was symbolic of the 1960s Counterculture.  Watch Hendrix's famous guitar rendition here.   http://youtu.be/XnMLHTKcH50

Janis Joplin, who was remembered as the "lady who sings the blues" in Don McLean's "American Pie," also found her tragic end at age 27 due to a drug overdose. Her drug use, including a "speed habit," kept her from a successful music career in the early part of the 1960's.  Her fame in the early part of the decade was relinquished to a small part in the Monterey Folk Festival in 1963. She was so impressive at the Monterey Pop in 1967 that she caught the audience's attention with her incredible vocals and also offered a record deal which led to successful album sales. Unfortunately, with success, Joplin fell harder into the drug scene could not overcome her addiction.  She died of a heroin overdose on October 4, 1970 at the age of 27. Her full biography is posted on Biography.com and her famous "Piece of My Heart" is on Youtube here. http://youtu.be/-7JVxE2SYxo

Last, but not least, of the 4 members of this infamous club who came out of the Counter Culture Rock era of the 1960s was Jim Morrison, lead singer of the Doors. Morrison performed on stage obviously intoxicated more than once. His most famous, or infamous, performances included one in Miami in 1969 which actually led to warrants issued for his arrest for attempting to incite a riot. An earlier incident which led to his arrest happened in New Haven, Connecticut on December 9, 1967, when Morrison was confronted backstage by police for his intoxication and indecency, which in turn, caused him to incite a riot on stage, which seemed to become a habit with him. Morrison was a genius with his poetic lyrics,but, like Joplin, he struggled with acceptance which led him to addiction. On July 3, 1971, at the age of 27, Morrison was found dead in his bathtub. An autopsy was never performed confirming the cause of death, but speculation persists that Morrison's death was drug-related. The following link is Val Kilmer's performance as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's movie "The Doors."  Although this is not Morrison himself, Kilmer's performance has been critically acclaimed as a true reflection of Morrison's behavior on stage. http://youtu.be/LfmcX9-KdQs

With The Doors, it wasn't only Morrison himself heavily involved in drugs.  Interestingly, there is a drug connection to the band's name. Aldous Huxley is most famous for his distopian novel Brave New World which sports a society predestined and controlled by a totalitarian government which uses controlled substances to bring a facade of happiness to the people.  Huxley also experimented with mescaline in its early pre-LSD days and wrote his famous essay "The Doors of Perception" based on his experiences under the hallucinogen. Jim Morrison borrowed from the title of this essay for his rock band, The Doors.  Naturally, Morrison admired Huxley, especially since they both perceived a better life under the influence of hallucinogens.

The 27 Club, unfortunately, is not unique to the 1960s Counterculture.  The most recent victim of to enter the infamous 27 Club is Amy Winehouse, whose soulful musical style combining jazz, r&b, and soul, and her unique vocal sound propelled her to fame with a song entitle, ironically, "Rehab."  Winehouse lived a troubled
life, also struggling with alcohol and drug addiction, and succumbed to her addiction almost two years ago to the date, on July 23, 2011.  She was 27.  Amy's legacy lives on, however, through the Amy Winehouse Foundation which was created to help others struggling with addiction, for at least her death may be able to help others.

It is sad to see such talented musical artists lost so young, but it seems a bit paranormal that they all struggled with addiction and all were lost at the age of 27.  We may even be able to say that 27th year is cursed, taking such talent from the throes of musical world, denying us, the listeners, the fans, the public, the future of these musical geniuses.  But it is also merely a part of the relationship between music and addiction and coincidentally, the music succumbed to the addiction in the 27th year.  Either way, these talents are gone, but they will live forever through their music.