Unlucky 27

Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix and now Amy Winehouse are unfortunate members of the 27 Club, also known as Club 27 and Forever 27, a collection of talented musicians who died far too early.

This is a club you don’t want to join and one Cobain’s mother referred to as “that stupid club”. Drugs have frequently been a factor in their deaths. There are 25 members that are listed on website Forever 27's Hall of Fame, each with the cause of death. 


Richey James Edwards (of Manic Street Preachers fame) has not been listed there but has been considered. He disappeared in 1995 at the age of 27 but when his family was given the chance to legally declare him dead they preferred the term “missing person”.

The latest member is Amy Winehouse, who passed away on Saturday July 23. Her cause of death is still undetermined but she had well documented history of drug-use. It wasn't necessarily a shocking death but tragic nonetheless. Russell Brand, a friend of hers and recovering addict, wrote an emotional and passionate blog about her.

Their memory lives on in the music they inspired and the movements they influenced. We will miss your talent and your voice, Amy Winehouse. RIP.