Club 27: Celebrities Who Died at 27

The term Club 27 refers to a group of public figures who died at the age of 27. The phrase gained attention after a series of high profile musician deaths in the late 1960s and early 1970s and it has since been applied to artists from different eras and scenes. While the group is not an official list, the pattern has been widely noted because so many influential careers ended at the same early age.

Below are notable celebrities who died at 27 along with concise context about their work and the circumstances of their deaths. Each entry focuses on clear facts, including roles, releases, and events that help explain their impact and the timelines involved.

Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson recorded a small but influential set of blues tracks in the mid 1930s that later became foundational for rock and roll. Songs like Cross Road Blues and Sweet Home Chicago were recorded in Texas during two sessions and were reissued widely after his death, reaching new audiences through later artists who covered his work.

He died near Greenwood in Mississippi in 1938 after falling ill at a dance where he had been performing. Accounts describe suspected poisoning as the cause and official records list the date of death without an autopsy, which was common in the area at the time.

Brian Jones

Brian Jones founded The Rolling Stones and played multiple instruments on early recordings and tours. He helped shape the band’s sound with guitar and distinctive parts on instruments such as sitar and dulcimer on key tracks from the group’s first years.

He died in 1969 at his home in East Sussex where he was found in his swimming pool. The inquest recorded death by misadventure and it came only weeks after his departure from the band that summer.

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix led the Jimi Hendrix Experience and later Band of Gypsys, releasing albums that changed electric guitar technique and performance. His set at the Woodstock festival and studio work at Electric Lady in New York are among his most documented achievements.

He died in London in 1970 after aspirating vomit in his sleep following the ingestion of barbiturates. An inquest concluded asphyxia while under the influence of drugs and no foul play was determined.

Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin rose to prominence with Big Brother and the Holding Company before establishing a solo career with her Kozmic Blues Band and Full Tilt Boogie Band. Her powerful vocals were captured on major festival stages and on studio albums released during her life and posthumously.

She died in Los Angeles in 1970 from a heroin overdose with alcohol in her system according to the coroner’s report. The album Pearl was released soon after and contained Me and Bobby McGee which reached the top of the charts after her death.

Jim Morrison

Jim Morrison fronted The Doors and wrote lyrics that became central to the group’s catalogue. The band released several albums between 1967 and 1971 and toured widely, with recordings that documented Morrison’s voice and spoken poetry.

He died in Paris in 1971 and was found in a bathtub in an apartment. French authorities did not perform an autopsy and listed heart failure as the cause on the death certificate, and he was buried at Père Lachaise Cemetery.

Alan Wilson

Alan Wilson was a singer, guitarist, and harmonica player for Canned Heat, contributing high tenor vocals and arrangements on their most known tracks. He was part of the group’s appearance at Woodstock and worked on environmentally focused liner notes and projects.

He died near Los Angeles in 1970 of acute barbiturate intoxication as ruled by the coroner. Reports documented a history of mental health struggles alongside the band’s heavy touring schedule that year.

Ron McKernan

Ron McKernan, known as Pigpen, co founded the Grateful Dead and was the group’s original frontman with a style rooted in blues and R and B. He played keyboards and harmonica and is featured on early Dead recordings and concert tapes from the late 1960s.

He died in 1973 in California from a gastrointestinal hemorrhage associated with liver disease. He had withdrawn from touring the previous year due to health issues and is remembered as a founding member who shaped the band’s first sound.

Dave Alexander

Dave Alexander played bass for The Stooges and performed on the band’s first two albums with parts that anchored their minimalist approach. He appeared at the 1970 Cincinnati Pop Festival where the band’s set became part of widely circulated footage.

He died in 1975 from pulmonary edema after a bout of pancreatitis. His departure from the band had taken place several years earlier and his work remained on recordings that influenced later punk scenes.

Pete Ham

Pete Ham was the principal songwriter and singer for Badfinger and co wrote Without You which later became an international hit for other artists. He also wrote Baby Blue which re entered charts decades later due to renewed exposure.

He died in London in 1975 by suicide. Financial disputes and litigation around the band’s management and record deals were documented in court filings and contemporary reports from that period.

Chris Bell

Chris Bell co founded Big Star with Alex Chilton and played guitar on the band’s first album while also contributing writing and production. After leaving the group he recorded solo material that was released posthumously to critical attention.

He died in 1978 in a car accident in Memphis after his car struck a light pole. His work was later compiled on releases that brought his recordings to a broader audience.

D. Boon

D. Boon was the guitarist and a singer for Minutemen, a band known for concise songs and intensive touring documented through fanzines and live tapes. He recorded with bassist Mike Watt and drummer George Hurley across several albums during the first half of the 1980s.

He died in 1985 in a van accident in Arizona while the band was on a break from touring. The group disbanded following his death and surviving members went on to other projects that cited him as a central collaborator.

Mia Zapata

Mia Zapata led The Gits, a Seattle punk band with a strong regional following and releases on independent labels. The band toured the United States and recorded material that gained attention within the Pacific Northwest scene.

She was murdered in Seattle in 1993. The case remained unsolved for a decade until DNA evidence led to an arrest and conviction in 2004, and her bandmates and friends established a self defense and advocacy organization in her name.

Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain was the singer and guitarist for Nirvana, a band that released multiple platinum records and brought attention to the Seattle sound on international charts. The group toured extensively and appeared on major television broadcasts and festival stages.

He died in Seattle in 1994 by suicide, with a coroner’s report confirming a self inflicted gunshot wound. Police records document the discovery of a note and toxicology findings that included heroin and Valium.

Kristen Pfaff

Kristen Pfaff played bass for Hole and recorded on the sessions for the album that brought the band widespread recognition in the mid 1990s. She had previously been a member of Janitor Joe and moved from Minneapolis to Seattle during this period.

She died in 1994 in Seattle from a heroin overdose according to the medical examiner. She had recently returned to Minneapolis and was preparing to move when she was found, and the band later dedicated performances and releases to her memory.

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse released two studio albums and won multiple Grammy Awards for her second record. Her voice and writing combined soul, jazz, and R and B influences and she toured across Europe and North America.

She died in London in 2011 from alcohol poisoning as confirmed by the coroner after an initial inquest and a later review. Official findings reported a high blood alcohol level and no illegal substances present at the time of death.

Jonathan Brandis

Jonathan Brandis worked as a child actor and transitioned to leading roles in film and television. He starred in the TV series ‘seaQuest DSV’ and appeared in ‘It’ and ‘The NeverEnding Story II’ along with guest roles across network shows.

He died in Los Angeles in 2003 by suicide and was pronounced dead the following day after being transported to a hospital. Friends and colleagues later confirmed that he had been pursuing new projects in film and writing during that year.

Jean Michel Basquiat

Jean Michel Basquiat began as a street artist in New York before moving into galleries where he exhibited paintings that blended text, symbols, and figures. He collaborated with Andy Warhol and saw rapid demand for his work in the early 1980s.

He died in 1988 in New York City from a heroin overdose. Exhibitions and catalogues raisonné documented his output and estate matters were handled through galleries and representatives in the years that followed.

Anton Yelchin

Anton Yelchin appeared in studio films and independent releases, building a career with roles that showed range across genres. His work included Pavel Chekov in the ‘Star Trek’ film series and lead turns in ‘Green Room’ and ‘Like Crazy’.

He died in Los Angeles in 2016 in a driveway accident when his vehicle rolled and pinned him against a security gate. Investigations linked the incident to a gear selector issue that had been the subject of a manufacturer recall.

Jonghyun

Kim Jong hyun, known as Jonghyun, was a singer, songwriter, and member of the South Korean group SHINee. He also released solo projects that topped charts in South Korea and contributed songs for other artists.

He died in Seoul in 2017 and police reported death by suicide. His management and family held memorial services that were attended by fans and fellow artists, and his final recordings were released posthumously.

Fredo Santana

Fredo Santana was a rapper and label head associated with the Chicago drill movement. He released mixtapes and an album that featured collaborations with artists from the same scene and from national acts.

He died in 2018 in Los Angeles after health complications that included epilepsy and cardiovascular issues documented in medical reports and public statements. Friends and collaborators organized tributes and releases that referenced his work in the city’s rap history.

Share the names you think should also be included and tell us which stories you want us to cover next in the comments.