Celebrities Who Died At Age 27

Celebrities Who Died At Age 27


August 23, 2024 | Ella Mason

Celebrities Who Died At Age 27


The World’s Most Tragic Club

The "27 Club" refers to a group of influential musicians, artists, and actors who tragically passed  at the age of 27. The reasons behind their deaths are often linked to a lifestyle of excess, substance misuse, and an inability to escape their inner demons. Let’s take a moment to remember 40 tragic stars we lost too soon. 

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Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix, an iconic guitarist, passed on September 18, 1970, due to asphyxia caused by substance misuse. His innovative style left a lasting impact on rock music.

Jimi Hendrix Experience - 1968We hope, Wikimedia Commons

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Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin, a pioneering rock singer, passed on October 4, 1970, from an overdose. She was known for her powerful voice and emotive performances.

Janis Joplin Seated - 1970Albert B. Grossman Management, Wikimedia Commons

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Jim Morrison

Jim Morrison, the lead singer of The Doors, passed on July 3, 1971. The cause of his passing remains uncertain, but it was likely due to heart failure exacerbated by his lifestyle.

Portrait of Jim Morrison -  1969Elektra Records, Wikimedia Commons

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Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain, the frontman of Nirvana, took his own life on April 5, 1994. His passing highlighted the struggles with depression and addiction that he hid behind closed doors. Sadly, when detectives revisited the case of his demise, they found undeveloped photos which gave a glimpse into Cobain’s final days. Once of the photos showed the hospital bracelet that he was still wearing from the detox program that he had escaped from just days before his passing.

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Kurt CobainRaffaella Cavalieri, Getty Images

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Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse, one of the world’s most famous soul singers, succumbed to alcohol intoxication on July 23, 2011. Her deep, emotive voice and raw lyrics resonated with many fans.

Amy Winehouse -Virgin Festival, Pimlico - 2007Greg Gebhardt, CC BY 2.0,  Wikimedia Commons

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Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson, a blues legend, met his end on August 16, 1938. The exact cause of his passing is unknown, but it is rumored that he was poisoned.

Robert Johnson FactsNBC, Timeless (2016-2018)

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Brian Jones

Brian Jones, a founding member of The Rolling Stones, drowned in his swimming pool on July 3, 1969. His passing was ruled as "death by misadventure".

Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones - Finland. - 1965Olavi Kaskisuo / Lehtikuva, Wikimedia Commons

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Richey Edwards

Richey Edwards, the guitarist of Manic Street Preachers, disappeared on February 1, 1995. He was legally presumed to be deceased in 2008, with no definitive cause of death.

Richey Edwards with Manic Street Preachers in Japan, circa 1991Masao Nakagami, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Kristen Pfaff

Kristen Pfaff, the bassist for Hole, succumbed to a substance OD on June 16, 1994. Her passing came shortly after Kurt Cobain's, adding to the tragedy surrounding the grunge scene.

Kristen Pfaff's Grave - 2008Henrystauf, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Dave Alexander

Dave Alexander, the original bassist for The Stooges, lost a battle with pneumonia on February 10, 1975. His heavy drinking likely contributed to his passing.

A promotional portrait of The StoogesMichael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

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Ron "Pigpen" McKernan

Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, a founding member of the Grateful Dead, passed on March 8, 1973, from gastrointestinal hemorrhage related to substance use.

Ron Warner Bros. Records, Wikimedia Commons

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Pete Ham

Pete Ham, a member of Badfinger, passed on April 24, 1975. He struggled with depression and financial problems before his passing.

Pete Ham performing on stage.Bluestownmusic, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Gary Thain

Gary Thain, bassist for Uriah Heep, passed on December 8, 1975, from respiratory failure due to substance misuse. His addiction issues plagued his career.

Bass player Gary Thain - before 1975Mercury Records, Wikimedia Commons

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Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson

Alan Wilson, a member of Canned Heat, passed on September 3, 1970, from an overdose of barbiturates. While it’s not clear if he intentionally took his life with the pills, he did struggle with depression and had a history of suicide attempts.

American musician Alan 'Blind Owl' Wilson - circa 1970Susie Macdonald, Getty Images

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Mia Zapata

Mia Zapata, the lead singer of The Gits, was brutally slain while walking home on July 7, 1993. Her case went unsolved for years until DNA evidence led to a conviction in 2004.

Grunge Idols FactsUnknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

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Jeremy Ward

Jeremy Ward, a member of The Mars Volta, passed on May 25, 2003, from an OD. His passing occurred shortly after the release of their debut album.

Jeremy Ward performs on stage with Mars Volta, London, United Kingdom, 2001.Martyn Goodacre, Getty Images

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Jean-Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat, a renowned artist, passed on August 12, 1988, from substance misuse. His art bridged the gap between street art and the gallery world.

Jean-Michel Basquiat (New York, 1984)Galerie Bruno Bischofberger, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

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D. Boon

D. Boon, the guitarist and vocalist for Minutemen, lost his life in a car accident on December 22, 1985. His sudden demise was a significant loss for the punk community.

D. Boon in 1982UCLA Library Special Collections, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Chris Bell

Chris Bell, a member of Big Star, passed in a car accident on December 27, 1978. His contributions to the band's debut album were highly influential.

Chris Bell listening music on headphones.User:Groovindays, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Linda Jones

Linda Jones, a soul singer, succumbed to diabetes complications on March 14, 1972. Her powerful voice made her a standout in the soul music scene.

Linda Jones is smiling -1967Loma Records, Wikimedia Commons

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Les Harvey

Les Harvey, guitarist for Stone the Crows, was electrocuted on stage on May 3, 1972. His tragic demise shocked the music world.

Leslie Harvey playing on stage - 1970Fotoburo De Boer,  Wikimedia Commons

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Alexander Bashlachev

Alexander Bashlachev, a Russian poet and rock musician, met his end after falling out of a ninth-floor apartment window on February 17, 1988. Most people think he took his own life. His work remains influential in Russian rock music.

Alexander Bashlachev in Moscow, 1987Игорь Владимирович Мухин, Чръный человек, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Arlester Christian

Arlester Christian, was fatally shot on March 13, 1971. His passing cut short a promising career in soul and funk music, but he certainly made his mark on the scene before his demise.

Arlester 'Dyke' Christian performing on stage - 1967Gilles Petard, Getty Images

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Jesse Belvin

Jesse Belvin, an R&B singer, perished in a car accident on February 6, 1960. He was considered a pioneer in the genre, and his passing was a significant loss.

Posed studio portrait of Jesse Belvin - 1959Gilles Petard, Getty Images

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Sean McCabe

Sean McCabe, lead vocalist of Ink & Dagger, passed on August 28, 2000. He drank too much and choked on his own vomit. His passing highlighted the ongoing struggles within the punk scene.

Party Fouls FactsShutterstock

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Raymond "Freaky Tah" Rogers

Raymond "Freaky Tah" Rogers, a member of the hip-hop group Lost Boyz, was fatally shot on March 28, 1999. His passing was a tragic loss for the hip-hop community.

Police Officers investigating a case.cottonbro studio, Pexels

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Helmut Köllen

Helmut Köllen, bassist and vocalist for Triumvirat, succumbed to carbon monoxide intoxication on May 3, 1977. He accidentally inhaled fumes while listening to music in his car.

Man Driving a Classic CarErva Nur, Pexels

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Linda Creed

Linda Creed, a songwriter known for hits like "The Greatest Love of All," lost her battle with cancer on April 10, 1986. Her legacy lives on through her music.

The Greatest Love of All - song - WHITNEY HOUSTONBrian, Flickr

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Nat Jaffe

Nat Jaffe, a jazz pianist, perished from complications related to high blood pressure on August 5, 1945. His contributions to jazz were significant during his short life.

Grayscale Photo of a Person Playing on Vintage PianoЕвгений Ваганов, Pexels

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Rudy Lewis

Rudy Lewis, a member of The Drifters, passed on May 20, 1964, from a substance misuse. His passing occurred just before a major performance with the group.

Photo of the vocal group The Drifters - 1961New York Public Library, Picryl

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Jaco Pastorius

Jaco Pastorius, a revolutionary jazz bassist, passed on September 21, 1987, from injuries sustained in a beating. His innovative style changed the world of jazz bass.

Jaco Pastorius With Bass - 1980Chris Hakkens, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Roger Lee Durham

Roger Lee Durham, a member of Bloodstone, passed on July 27, 1973, after falling from a horse. His contributions to the band were significant during their early years.

Man Riding Horse on PastureSayefotograf, Pexels

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Dave Byron

Dave Byron, the lead vocalist of Uriah Heep, succumbed to liver disease on February 28, 1985. His powerful voice was a defining feature of the band's sound.

Uriah Heep Mercury Records 1972 Promotional ImageMercury Records, Wikimedia Commons

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Jacob Miller

Jacob Miller, a reggae musician and frontman for Inner Circle, lost his life in a car accident on March 23, 1980. His passing was a significant loss for the reggae community.

August 1979, Inner Circle, Jamaican reggae band, lead singer Jacob Miller.Mirrorpix, Getty Images

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Al Jackson Jr.

Al Jackson Jr., a drummer for Booker T. & the M.G.'s, was fatally shot by home intruders on October 1, 1975. His rhythmic contributions were foundational to the sound of Memphis soul.

Al Jackson Jr 1967 Press PhotoStax Records, Wikimedia Commons

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Wallace "Wally" Yohn

Wallace "Wally" Yohn, keyboardist for Iron Butterfly, perished in a car accident on August 29, 1974. His work on the iconic track "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" remains legendary.

Woodstock FactsThe Iron Butterfly, Wikimedia Commons

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The Legacy Of The 27 Club

The 27 Club remains a somber reminder of the pressures and challenges faced by those in the entertainment industry. Fortunately, the legacies of these artists continue to influence and inspire future generations, underscoring the profound impact they had during their brief lives.

Graffiti Tel Aviv, Khayim Ben Atar St - ZoomJonathan Kis-Lev, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons


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