Everyone has heard the term "27 Club" at some point. It refers to the list of stars who tragically died at the age of 27.
Between 1969 and 1971, the cultural world lost Jimi Hendrix, Brian Jones, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison. They were at the peak of their career, enjoying the adulation of the masses, and suddenly they were gone.
All deaths were attributed to drug and alcohol abuse, homicide or suicide. The "club" was eventually forgotten — until 2011, when a security guard discovered Amy Winehouse's limp body in her London apartment. The cause of the British singer's death was drinking too much alcohol. Her peers couldn't get over it.
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27 Club: Celebrities who died young
The "27 Club" is back in the spotlight following the recent death of Chance Perdomo, whose role as Ambrose in Netflix's Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, brought him fame.
The audience favourite died on March 30, 2024 as a result of a motorcycle accident.
Here are some of the most famous members of the 27 club:
1. Brian Jones
Jones was a founding member of The Rolling Stones and the first member of the 27 Club. On July 3, 1969, he was found floating face down in his own swimming pool. Theories quickly emerged that he was murdered, but the coroner soon dispelled doubts by announcing that the artist died as a result of an accident.
2. Jimi Hendrix
One of the most talented musicians in the world has never hidden his addiction to drugs and alcohol. On September 18, 1970, his addiction defeated him. Hendrix, unconscious and unresponsive, was taken to the hospital and was immediately pronounced dead. Cause: barbiturate overdose.
3. Janis Joplin
It was October 4, 1970, and Joplin was late for a recording session. Manager, John Cooke, rushed to her room at the Landmark Motor Hotel in Hollywood. He planned to get her out of there, but a terrifying sight met his eyes: dead Joplin lying on the bed with change in one hand and cigarettes in the other.
There was no trace of heroin, although a syringe was found near the body. According to Los Angeles County Coroner, Thomas Noguchi, the missing evidence was removed from the scene by one of the star's friends. But the truth could not be suppressed, and it was this: Joplin had overdosed.
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4. Jim Morrison
The untimely death of The Doors' singer occurred on July 3, 1971 in Paris. But the question of why he died persisted far beyond the short time he spent on Earth. Morrison was seen unconscious in the bathtub of a Parisian hotel by his girlfriend, Pamela Courson. She called for help, but it was too late.
He had died of heart failure caused by a heroin overdose. Before the world knew what had happened, he was buried in the Père Lachaise cemetery.
5. Kurt Cobain
Cobain was the pioneer and face of grunge. He also caused scandals with the equally rebellious Courtney Love as a partner. On April 5, 1994, he was dead. The musician's body was found in a greenhouse above the garage of his house. A shotgun rested on his chest.
6. Anton Yelchin
On June 19, 2016, the actor's SUV rolled down the driveway, pinning him against the fence of the villa he was leaving. The car crushed the 27-year-old's lungs, and investigators concluded that he died within 60 seconds of impact.
It was an unimaginable shock for Anton's parents. They soon sued Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, which produces the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and after a court battle they signed a settlement for an unspecified amount of compensation. The money obtained went to, among others: account of the Anton Yelchin Foundation supporting young artists.
7. Amy Winehouse
Winehouse broke through to an international audience thanks to her extraordinary talent - her amazing mezzo-soprano vocals and moving lyrics relating to her personal experiences won the hearts of millions of fans.
At the peak of her career in 2008, her Back to Black became the seventh best-selling album worldwide in 2008. The streak did not last long. Alcohol addiction took its toll and ruined the singer's career.
In 2011, Winehouse's team planned her big comeback. The concert in Belgrade was supposed to start the European tour. However, the performance turned out to be a nightmare - Amy had trouble concentrating, couldn't remember the lyrics and was probably too drunk to stand on stage. Instead of helping her, security reportedly forced her to continue with the concert. The audience booed her. It was the singer's last concert.
She died on July 23, 2011 as a result of alcohol poisoning. She was 27 years old.
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This article was originally published on Onet Woman.