The curse of 27

Come June 27 and the list of renowned musicians who lost their lives at this age are remembered and offered tributes world over

The curse of 27

Come June 27 and the list of renowned musicians who lost their lives at this age are remembered and offered tributes world over

Call it a weird curse or just a coincidence, the number 27 has proved to be the biggest controversy generating number for music lovers across the globe for over 20 years now. Each year fans world over get together to celebrate the music left by legendary musicians who died at the age of 27.

Be it the flamboyant Jimi Hendrix, the powerful vocalist Janis Joplin, the father of Nirvana - Kurt Cobain or even the founder of the legendary band Rolling Stones - Brian Jones.Many believe that their lives did not generate as much controversy as their deaths have. The death of these iconic musicians at the age of 27 has given birth to a cult of fans who meet up on June 27th each year to celebrate the music they left for the masses.

Forever 27
Just when they had entered the cusp of real life, hit stardom with their music, gathered a fan base that treated them like demigods - the dark enchantress of death came calling in a black robe. They lived fast, they rose to fame, they hit the peak of their career and instead of fading away - they burnt out.

Rock legends who faced a tragic death at the age of 27 have been listed as a part of a world wide movement called the 'Forever 27' or the 'Club 27'. The club has over 20 million fans across the world who come together to celebrate this day as a tribute to these musicians and the legacy they left behind.

The event started as an impromptu celebration by a huge fan base in a silent corner of the world. What spurred the movement further was the shocking death of Kurt Cobain whose name was added in the list in 1994. A celebration hosted by Club 27 brings together people from different races, castes, creeds and places, who have just one thing in common - love for the music left behind by these legends.

While the world recalls their music, the biggest question that looms large over the whole music industry across borders is - was this mere coincidence or is this indeed the curse of 27? "The lives of these musicians who are part of the club 27 had a demon in their lives. Be it drugs, alcohol or something else - there was something that they got in to, to handle fame. I believe that it is just a coincidence. However, having said that, it is true that their lives went through a circle that most musicians hit only when they are midway through life. They started young, worked hard to get themselves established, shot to fame and then when they could not handle it we, they took to binging on alcohol or drugs. It is sad that it happened at the same age, but there sure isn't anything concrete to substantiate the curse," says Rajeev from the band Rajeev and the Wolfpack.
While most musicians hold tribute shows to show respect to these legends, there are many who believe that there shouldn't be such a reason to bring fans together.

"It is a great idea that fans and musicians get together on one day of the year to celebrate the music they left behind. We have participated in many tribute shows and it is just brilliant that fans get a platform to pay respect to their great music," says Tony John, Avial.

The most common factor about these musicians who died at 27 was that their lives were fast lived and lost early. In the last two decades, questions have been raised about their deaths and many conspiracy theories have emerged. Fans who get together each year on this day, discuss the various leads available on the deaths of these icons, while hosting bands that pay tribute too. "Around 25 years back, the lives of musicians were not well known to their fans. There was a mystery element added to their personal life and that is why rumour mills were rife. Sometimes these musicians themselves added fuel to the fire and spread rumours that gave birth to controversies that are discussed till date," opines Nolan Lewis, Kryptos.

Curse or Coincidence?
Over the years what has fueled this 'statistical anomaly' further is the movies made about the myth and books that have traced the history of these musicians. In 2008, a movie titled The 27 Club was released to rave reviews that had a fictitious plot with a very central theme related to the protagonist's band mate who commits suicide a week after his 27th birthday. A book titled The 27s: The Greatest Myth of Rock & Roll hit stands across the world in 2007 and raised eye balls world wide. The book tracked the life of these legendary musicians and revealed to the world the deep dark secrets of their time - creating a world wide perception that their deaths at the age of 27 changed the way the world looks at rock music. Restaurants and pubs, music instruments and hotels around the world have been named after the Club 27 musicians. But with all the hype created, could the curse actually be true? Sushmit Sen from Indian Ocean explains, "I started the band when I was 27 years old. Monetary agendas cannot be ruled out of such events as this is the biggest farce that surrounds the industry till date. Fans should not have such excuses to get together; they should celebrate their love for music, regardless of such myths."

Abhijit Namboodiripad from Heretic however questions, where else could a musician have gone, after hitting the top? "It is like a series of great musicians have died at a young age. But they were at the peak of their career, where else would they go after hitting the top of a hill that many musicians take ages to climb," he says.

Indian tribute
Musicians across the country pay tribute to their favourite musician from the Club 27 group in more ways than one. While small and big bands gather at informal evenings, strumming hits from their times, music lounges too hold special theme evenings for the same occasion. While the world gets together on this day, it is a happy club 27 day to all music lovers who have at any point of time in their lives said, 'Kudos to their music'. Cheers!

Events in India and abroad
-Club 27 will be organizing informal tribute gigs at different venues across the USA, UK and Europe
-Hendrix and Cobain Tribute Gigs will rule musical evenings in Delhi, Mumbai and the North East (where most fans touch base regularly)
-Remembering Cobain evening will be held at the Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain at 6 PM in Bangalore

Name
Brian Jones
Janis Joplin
Jimi Hendrix
Jim Morrison
Kurt Cobain

Band
Rolling Stones
Big Brother & the Holding Company
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
The Doors
Nirvana

Date of death
3rd July, 1969
4th October, 1970
18th September, 1970
3rd July, 1971
5th April, 1994

Cause of death
Drowned in a swimming pool
Probable heroin overdose
Asphyxiated on vomit after combining sleeping pills with wine
Heart Failure
Suicide by Shotgun