February 3, 1959, is what many refer to as, “The day the music died.” It was on that day a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa claimed the lives of three popular Rock and Roll Stars. Buddy Holly, age 22, Ritchie Valens, age 17, and J. P. Richardson (The Big Bopper), age 28.
(Bit of trivia. Did you know Country Music legend Waylon Jennings gave up his seat on the plane to the Big Bopper?)
Their deaths are a few of the many music stars who have died young—many as the result of plane crashes. Others include Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Otis Redding, Jim Croce, Ronnie Van Zant, Rick Nelson, and John Denver. One might conclude it’s not safe for singers to travel by air.
But there is another group of singers who have died young. Some of the more well-known are:
- Blues singer Robert Johnson—1938 (For a fascinating story about Johnson, check out Mae Clair’s January 11 post.)
- Founding member of the Rolling Stones, Brian Jones–1969
- Alan Wilson of Canned Heat—1970
- Jimi Hendrix—1970
- Janis Joplin—1970
- Jim Morrison—1971
- Ron McKernan of the Grateful Dead—1973
- Badfinger’s Pete Ham—1975
- Kurt Cobain—1994
- Amy Winehouse—2011
None of these singers died in plane crashes and the cause of the death varies, including drug overdoses, suicide, and alcohol poisoning. But there is one common factor. All of them died at the age of twenty-seven.
Coincidence?
Promotional photo of The Doors with Morrison in front. Attribution: Elektra Records-Joel Brodsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The deaths of Hendrix, Joplin, and Morrison within a few short months caused some talk and speculation. However, it wasn’t until Kurt Cobain’s death by suicide years later that the term “27 Club” came about. Some have even referred to it as “The Curse of Twenty-Seven.”
A statement from Cobain’s mother, Wendy Cobain O’Connor, appeared in the Aberdeen Washington newspaper Daily World. “Now he’s gone and joined that stupid club. I told him not to join that stupid club.” According to Cobain’s biographer, Charles R. Cross, she was referring to the deaths of Joplin, Hendrix, and Morrison.
Eric Segalstad, author of The 27s: The Greatest Myth of Rock and Roll disagrees. He believes Cobain’s mother referred to the deaths of his two uncles and a great-uncle who all died as the result of suicide.
Curse or coincidence there is an extraordinary number of singers who died at the age of twenty-seven. Some singers never reached that age including Valens, Holly, and Otis Redding. Living to the age of twenty-eight and beyond is no guarantee of survival. With the exception of Redding who was twenty-six at the time of his death, the ages of other singers I mentioned who died in plane crashes ranged from twenty-eight to fifty-three.
But still, there are probably several singers who breathe sighs of relief on their twenty-eighth birthday.
35 Responses
What a coincidence. I’d never heard of the twenty-seven club or knew these singers all died at that age. Fascinating. Thanks for sharing, Joan 💕🙂
It was only recently that I heard of it. I knew Joplin and Hendrix died within a short time of one another. Didn’t stop to think that Morrison was only a few months later and that they were all 27. Weird. Thanks for stopping by, Harmony.
When you list all their names together, it’s startling how many young musicians the world lost. Weird about 27. I believe 27 is just coincidence, but it gave me goosebumps!
I think probably a coincidence as well, but it does give one food for thought. Thanks, Priscilla.
The only reason I knew about Waylon Jennings giving up his seat is because of the movie LaBamba. I had no idea all of these artists were 27 when they passed. So strange.
Very strange, Jill. I didn’t realize until recently how many died at the age of 27.
Wow, I didn’t know about the “27 Club”. It certainly makes one wonder. Great post, Joan. Tragic but fascinating.
Certainly is food for thought, Gwen. And yes, it’s so tragic.
I was familiar with the 27 Club but had no idea about the quote from Kurt Corbain’s mother (or that Waylon Jennings gave up his seat to the Big Bopper). I wonder if she really was referring to the 27 Club. So sad that his uncles and great-uncle also died by suicide.
So many great rock legends left us way too early. An excellent post, Joan!
And thanks for the shout-out to my Robert Johnson post as well. 🙂
I came across that quote when researching this topic. I guess both men were speculating what she meant.
I loved your Robert Johnson post!
I hadn’t heard this one before. The 27 Club would make a great book title. Thanks for telling us about it.
A Lizzie and the Hat story? 🙂
Might work.
A terrific post, Joan. I never gave the 27 club much thought till now. It is a little spooky. 😁
It is spooky, John.
😊
I did know that about Waylon Jennings. The Twenty-Seven Club is so tragic. Great spotlight on it today, Joan.
It is tragic, Staci. As Jan pointed out, Waylon felt guilty for a long time after that.
Very interesting. Yes, I did know about Waylon giving up his seat and I’ve seen interviews where he talks about it and how he felt a heavy burden of guilt for years. The magic age of 27 is too frequent to just coincidental. Stevie Ray Vaughan was another who died in a helicopter crash, but he was 35. Fascinating!
Stevie Ray was another singer we lost way too early. I had heard Waylon felt a lot of guilt about his decision. It is strange that so many died at age 27. Thanks, Jan.
It is very eerie they were all 27, except for those who died in plane crashes. It does make you wonder if somewhere it waa part of the “deal “for fame.
That’s an interesting theory, Denise. Funny I just thought of a line from a John Denver song (who died at age 53). “He was born in the summer of his 27th year.”
Oh, wow! I never thought of that great connection.
This one, I’ve heard of, and it still gives me chills to think about. Thank you for sharing, Joan!
It is a strange thing, Mar. Until recently, I didn’t know how many singers died at the age of 27.
It’s crazy to see it listed out like you have it. All the familiar names.
That does put it in perspective.
This is the first I’ve heard of the Twenty-Seven Club. I had no idea they were the same ages – how odd. I also didn’t realize Holly and Valens were so young.
I knew Ritchie Valens was young, but I thought Buddy Holley was older. I didn’t know about this strange “coincidence” until recently. It is bizarre!
This was a combination of fascinating and so sad. 27 – we’re still babies at 27! I knew about many of these musicians’ deaths, but not about the “27 club.” Macabre. I think singers should tour by bus . . . and stay clear of drugs and alcohol!!!
It is sad, Pamela. They definitely need to stay away from drugs and alcohol. So many on this list had problems with both. Thanks for stopping by today!
Wow, Joan. Very interesting (and kinda creepy) stuff here. I remember the Day the Music Died very, very clearly, as I was a big fan of Buddy Holly at the time. (Liked all three, but something about Holly was kind of endearing to me.) As I go through the rest of these sad passings, I find I remember each and every one. Several hit me especially hard at the time. I’d always wanted to see Janis Joplin in concert, sitting down close enough that I could see her sweat! (She did a lot of that!!) Ricky Nelson was a favorite of mine clear back before he started singing, when he was part of the Ozzie and Harriet Show. And one of the highlights of visiting my daughter in Denver a couple of years ago was the gorgeous statue of John Denver outside a museum we visited. Who didn’t love him?? Every name on these lists brings back memories to me, and though I never heard of the 27 Club thing, it’s another shivery list, isn’t it?
Thanks for this post, Joan. It really brought back the tears I shed for many of these gifted entertainers, but mostly, it brought back memories of their music, and I’m happy to have been a fan of many of them.
My brother was a big fan of Buddy Holly. Sad about so many of these. I remember you sharing the photo of John Denver’s statue. I loved his music. Ricky Nelson as well… and so many others. Thanks for stopping by, Marcia.
You’re welcome, Joan. It was a real trip down Memory Lane, and I’m still thinking about all that talent taken away so abruptly. 😥
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