The history of rock ‘n’ roll is littered with tales of infamy but one tragic statistic sticks out more than most.
The so-called ’27 Club’ is the name given to the collection of stars whose light shone all too short with their lives ending at the age of 27.
While it is undoubtedly just a spooky coincidence, that has not stopped many music fans coming up with their own theories.
The idea first started when Doors singer Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix all died at the age of 27 between 1969 and 1971.
It was thrust back into the limelight after Kurt Cobain’s death in 1994.
A scientific study in the British Medical Journal was even done on the topic in 2011 after it gained online notoriety but this found musicians were more likely to die in their 20s and 30s – but not 27 specifically.
Ben Keough
Ben Keough was found dead on Sunday (Image: ©Alpha Press)
Elvis Presley’s grandson Ben Keough was found dead at the age of 27 in his Calabasas mansion on Sunday.
Early reports claim he took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Ben, who was the spitting image of his Suspicious Minds ancestor, was the son of Lisa Marie Presley and musician Danny Keough.
He was the younger of the two children, along with actress Riley Keough, Lisa Marie had with first husband Danny before they divorced in 1994.
His mother often spoke about his likeness to her superstar dad Elvis, who died in 1977 aged 42, branding it “uncanny”.
In a statement, Lisa Marie’s manager, Roger Widynowsk, declared her boy “the love of her life”.
“She is completely heartbroken, inconsolable and beyond devastated but trying to stay strong for her 11-year-old twins and her oldest daughter Riley,” it read.
“She adored that boy. He was the love of her life.”
Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain of Nirvana died on April, 8, 1994 (Image: Getty Images)
The showbiz industry, his friends and family – and the world – were left heartbroken and shocked when Kurt Cobain died at 27-years-old on Friday, April 8, 1994.
The Nirvana rock legend, famed for his notorious songs Smells Like Teen Spirit and Come as You Are, was discovered by an electrician.
He was found dead three days after he killed himself at his home in Seattle.
His autopsy revealed that he was found with fresh injection marks in both arms and a fatal wound to the head from the 20-gauge shotgun found between his knees.
Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse died in July 2011 at the age of 27
Rehab and Back to Black singer Amy Winehouse died on Saturday, July 23, 2011 at 27 years of age.
Seemingly at the peak of her fame, the diminutive pop star was discovered dead in her Camden, north London, home.
An inquest found the singer had died of alcohol poisoning with the coroner stating: “She voluntarily consumed alcohol, a deliberate act that took an unexpected turn in that it caused her death.”
The inquest heard how a doctor treating the star spoke about her battle to beat the booze.
The GP said Winehouse had had refused psychiatric help because she thought it would affect her creativity.
Winehouse was found dead by paramedics, fully clothed, with a laptop on her bed and empty bottles of vodka on the floor.
Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix was found dead in September 18, 1970
One of the most celebrated rock stars of all time – Jimi Hendrix was as famous for his use of drugs as he was for playing the guitar.
The singer was found dead in a Notting Hill flat on September 18, 1970, at the age of 27.
He was staying with friends in London at the time after cutting short his European tour.
An inquest into his death heard the star died from a lethal combination of medication and alcohol.
Despite that, a coroner recorded an ‘open verdict’ on this death, sparking numerous conspiracy theories with fans all over the world.
Hi dad, Al Hendrix, was the sole beneficiary of Jimi’s will inheriting some $500,000.
Brian Jones
(Image: Michael Ochs Archives)
Another mystery is that of rockstar legend and Rolling Stones star Brian Jones.
It remains one of the greatest mysteries in rock history as many question what really happened to the 27-year-old before he died.
The ex-Rolling Stones singer was found dead in the swimming pool at his home, Cotchford Farm in Sussex, in 1969.
His inquest recorded his death at “misadventure”, citing “drowning while under the influence of drink and drugs”, over the night of July 2 and morning of July 3.
What many theorists find bizarre is the timing of the guitarist’s death.
He died three weeks after he was sacked from the band he founded.
Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin died from an accidental heroin overdose on October 4, 1970 (Image: Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
Janis Joplin died from an accidental heroin overdose on October 4, 1970, an inquest found.
The Pearl singer was found dead at a hotel in Hollywood’s Landmark Hotel.
She was dubbed the “first lady of rock ‘N’ roll and following her death, Joplin’s producer completed Pearl for her and it was then released in 1971 and very quickly became a hit.
Joplin’s legacy certainly won’t be forgotten about any time soon in the rock ‘N’ roll world.
Jim Morrison
Jim Morrison died on July 3, 1971, at the age of 27 (Image: Getty Images)
The Doors singer Jim Morrison never had an autopsy performed on him, nor was there much of an examination, many fans have voiced.
Because of this, rumours still circulate to this day of how the star died at age 27 on July 3, 1971.
In the 1970s, the band released its fourth album, but drugs and alcohol were taking their toll on Morrison – with him publicly opening up about his addictions.
After recording LA Woman in 1971, Morrison decided to take some time off and moved to Paris with his girlfriend, Pamela Courson.
However, this is where the mystery surrounding his death begins and its lead to many bizarre conspiracy theories.
On the morning of Saturday, July 3, 1971, Morrison died of a heart attack, brought on by drugs.
So, many believed and still believe that he died from a heart attack from using heroin.
However, no one is really sure what happened, as Pam’s account of the events changed several times, and her story is unreliable because of her drug use and emotional state. In one account, she even lied and said he never took drugs.
Rapper Lil Marlo
Another tragic recent death of a 27-year-old star with nothing but potential is rapper Lil Mario – real name was Rudolph Johnson.
Reports emerged yesterday that the star has been shot dead in his car in Atlanta, Georgia, with local police confirming the heartbreaking news.
TMZ report that police have confirmed that they found the musician dead in his vehicle after being called to the site of a road traffic accident.
The incident took place on the Interstate 285 in downtown Atlanta at 2.06am on Sunday.
Authorities add they currently are not sure if it was a “drive-by” shooting” or if he was shot by someone who was in the car with him, or if he was shot while driving before crashing the car.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
