Amy Winehouse and the 27 Club: Dead at 27

Why Do Rock Stars Die at 27? Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin & More

Amy Winehouse died on July 22, 2011 at 27 years old. She joined a long line of rock stars who passed away all too young as a member of The 27 Club. Those who died in the Rock 'n' Roll Year include:

• Jimi Hendrix
• Kurt Cobain
• Robert Johnson
• Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones
• Janis Joplin
• Jim Morrison
• Mia Zapata (The Gits)
  
• Ron "Pigpen" McKernan (The Grateful Dead)
• Gary Thain (Uriah Heap)
  

It seems like a large percentage of legendary musicians died at 27. Why is this? Part of the reason is that these artists' untimely deaths became part of their legends: they're partly known for dying young.  (Of course, musical virtuosity helps- look at Robert Johnson, who remains the master of the Delta blues, and helped define rock 'n' roll as we know it. Listen to his music, and be amazed that he was as young as he was.)

Also, success in very early life (in some cases, as teens) causes rock stars to make somewhat immature decisions. If you're a 19-year-old millionaire, chance are that you'll go through a period of excess. That's exacerbated by hangers-on, groupies, and managers who have an image to promote.

Skipping Membership in the 27 Club: Beyond the Rock 'n' Roll Year

Most musicians, though live well past 30, regardless of genre.

Examples of musicians who have bucked the trend, sometimes in spite of periods of hard living, include:

• Mike Ness (Social Distortion)
• Pete Doherty (He's 32 but has gone hard for years)
  
• Keith Richards
• Mick Jagger
• Grandmaster Flash
• Eminem
• Ice Cube
• Dr. Dre
• Eric Clapton
• Jimmy Page
• Robert Plant
• Deborah Harry (Blondie)
  

Also see "Before I Get Old" on NPR.

Photos

JIM MORRISON OF "THE DOORS" IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN FLORIDA

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