In the words of Carla Smith 1924. “Done Sold My Soul To The Devil (And My Heart’s Done Turned To Stone)”

Every blues guitarist knows the story of Robert Johnson. The legendary blues pioneer that allegedly sold his soul to the devil to be able to play his here gee-tar real good! This is one of the best urban legends of all time and is said to have cursed many great stars who all died at the tender age of 27. Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, and Jim Morrison all died at this age. And there are others. Rolling stone Brain Jones met with an untimely end in a drowning “accident” as well as grateful dead co-founder Ron “Pigpen” McKernan who basically drank himself to death (With a name like that who could blame him?) There are apparently over 30 musicians that all died at this age. More than just coincidence?  I’m sure.

Read the Robert Johnson Story here

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All of these people including Robert Johnson had an incredible talent. These where real stars, real legends that all stood the test of time. So what happened? Why did they all die at the same age?  Is it just a cosmic coincidence? Or is there something more sinister at foot?  The story of Robert Johnson suggests some interesting things. Did these stars all sell their souls for a few years of stardom? Lets look at the evidence.

So who was involved and what where their individual situations. Below I will cover some of the stars who fell curse to the 27 club.

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Jimi Hendrix.

Jimi Changed the world! Well he certainly changed the way musicians looked at their guitars. He turned his Stratocaster into a whaling machine that seemed to have a sound all of its own. No guitarist has had as much impact on the popularity and appeal of the electric guitar as Hendrix. Hendrix was a genius, sure there have been more technical guitarists since, and some guitar fondues will argue that Jimi wasn’t all that great anyway (Generally the boring ones that listen to Steve Vai and practice Mozart on their seven stringers) But really! There has never been such a guitarist as Jimi. He was so natural, his guitar was an extension of his soul. The soul he more than likely sold to be able to play the like that. I mean come on. It really is other worldly. Jimi Hendrix was apparently self taught. Or was he?

Jimi Hendrix Died at the age of 27. He took a couple of sleeping pills, threw up in his sleep and choked on his own vomit (What a way to go) Apparently there was no sign of recent illegal drug use in the autopsy report. Although long term drug use is pretty obvious.

Jim Morrison

Another Jim that was unlucky was Jim Morrison. The head honcho from 60’s psychedelic rock legends, the Doors. Jim Morrison’s voice was undeniably remarkable. And he has stood the test of time as one of the most classic icons of the late 60’s. The Doors where a bunch of weirdo’s sure, but they made amazing music. Roadhouse blues still rings in busy pool halls and pubs all over the world and most people I meet still listen to the Doors on a regular basis. Hell, I know I do.

Jim Morrison was 27 when he died of heart failure in a bath tub in Paris. Bearded and bloated, he slipped away after an apparent Heroin overdose. (according to his then common law wife, Pamela Courson who herself died 3 years later at the age of 27). Another coincidence?

Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin was the female voice of rock music during a heavily male dominated period. Her voice was something else. Powerful and rusty. Kind of like a female Joe Cocker. If any women in history had balls it was Janis Joplin. Her crazy lifestyle and drug driven career had to come crashing in at some point but at the age of 27? To much of a coincidence perhaps.

Joplin was found dead on the floor of her Landmark Motor Hotel room. The cause of death was apparently a heroin overdose. It always seems to be heroin doesn’t it!

Kurt Cobain

Not all of us where Nirvana fans but you cant deny the impact Kurt Cobain had on modern music and the return of decent rock in the pop charts. Nirvanas Grungy tone really opened up a whole new world for musicians and listeners everywhere. Come as you are became the new stairway to heaven and will still get you thrown out of guitar shops for playing the tune. His pretentious but unique approach paved the way for young musicians everywhere and the band he formed  is now staple for anyone getting into rock music. A great talent, what a waste.

Kurt Cobain took his own life in the form of 12 gauge shotgun to the brain.  Quick but messy, he was found by an electrician who had come to repair the alarm system. Although taking your own life doesn’t help my argument it is still strange that his age at death was 27. Maybe he was determined to joint the 27 Club, who knows.

Ok so there are the big 4. The most famous of the 27 curse. But there are many others. Maybe not quite as famous but talented none the less.  There are also close callers like Heath Ledger who died at 28 and James Dean who went at 24. They where actors but displayed the same other worldly talent in their chosen art form. Below is a list of some late artists that are considered members of the 27 club.

It seems that there is something to be said for the 27 curse. There are so many famous people, some of them have to die at 27. I guess there are many arguments out there but the devil and the 27 curse is an interesting story whether supernatural or just plain bad luck. So who is the next to go. There are quite a lot of potentials in today’s celebrity driven society. But there is one candidate that is most likely to go at the magic age. Any guesses?

It will be interesting to see if she makes it to 27. She looks about 50.