In 2011, the tragic death of singer Amy Winehouse rekindled attention to Club 27 - a list of talented people, mostly musicians, who died at this age, and most often under strange circumstances. There are several theories about why these deaths occur in a certain period of life, both scientific and mystical.
The editors wondered what connects the number 27 and the death of talented people. We have found several hypotheses on this topic and are sharing them with you.
1. Statistical theory
In 2011, the British Medical Journal published a statistical study on Club 27. The takeaway was that the side effects of early fame increase the risk of death among celebrities at a young age, but the fatal figure is not limited to 27 years. Nevertheless, it is she who is most often found: during this period of life, more than 40 young talents, most of whom were musicians, tragically died or committed suicide.
Most likely, the root of the problem should be sought not in the peculiarity of the number 27, but in the fact that they all achieved fame at a fairly early age. According to statistics, they were in their early twenties. After four to five years, they all reached the peak of their careers. Such a rapid rise, such a young age and a complex creative nature in most cases go side by side with excessive use of alcohol and illegal substances. Of course, this increases the risk of death, and there is nothing unpredictable about it.
Promotional video:
2. Psychological theory
From the point of view of psychology, such coincidences are caused by a complex of self-destruction, a kind of planned suicide, and not always consciously. According to Erickson's theory of personality, human life is divided into eight stages of the formation of an individual's personality. The period from 26 to 64 years old is the penultimate one, and its main problem is the choice between productivity and inertia of a person.
During this period, a person already learned everything he could about himself. It is unlikely that he is aware of anything new about his capabilities. And 27 years, practically the age of entering this long period, is one of the crisis stages of the formation of a personality. A person tries to find himself in society and finally self-actualize. It is possible that talented people who have achieved a certain degree of success simply did not know how to develop further, and this led them to unconscious self-destruction.
This behavior can be caused by many different psychological problems - from sublimation and latent depression to apathy, megalomania and other deviations.
3. Mystical theory
One of the first members of Club 27 was Robert Johnson, the most famous bluesman of the 20th century. Johnson did not have a talent for playing the guitar, and his studies were difficult for him. But that all changed in 1931. He disappeared briefly, and after his return suddenly became the best bluesman of his time. According to the musician himself, he made a deal with the devil at the intersection of the 61st and 49th roads of the town of Clarksdale. This intersection has always been a kind of worship place for music lovers: in 1937, the famous blues performer Bessie Smith died in a car accident here.
After rumors spread, Robert was almost officially nicknamed the Devil. It was also said that he communicated with the priests of the Candomblé cult (a kind of voodoo religion). At the age of 27, the musician died at the hands of the jealous husband of one of his mistresses. But many believe that the contract with the devil simply expired, and he took Johnson's soul. Adherents of the theory argue that it was after the deal with Johnson that the devil took all talented musicians at the age of 27.
Who is in Club 27?
- Mikhail Lermontov is, in theory, the very first member of the club. He died in a duel with Martynov at the age of 27. However, it is believed that Lermontov himself provoked his death (1841).
- Robert Johnson is the most famous bluesman of the 20th century. The official version of the cause of death is the death at the hands of a jealous husband of one of his mistresses (1938).
- Brian Jones - the founder of the Rolling Stones, guitarist. Drowned in the pool. According to unconfirmed reports, he was killed (1969).
- Jimi Hendrix is a songwriter, vocalist. He is considered the best guitarist in the history of rock music. Choked on vomit after an overdose of sleeping pills (1970).
- Janis Joplin is one of the greatest white blues singers ever. Cause of death - drug overdose (1970).
- Jim Morrison is a poet, lead singer and leader of The Doors. The official version of the cause of death is heart failure (1971).
- Jean-Michel Basquiat is an American painter and a successful neo-expressionist. Died of drug poisoning (1988).
- Kurt Cobain is the lead singer, guitarist and leader of the band Nirvana. The official version of the cause of death - shot himself with a shotgun (1994).
- Amy Winehouse is a British R&B, jazz, soul singer. She died from alcohol poisoning (2011).
- Anton Yelchin is an American actor of Russian origin. Shot down by his own car (2016).
- And 31 more musicians.