The 27 Club is so-named for musicians, artists, actors, and other celebrities who have died at age 27 due to drug overdose, suicide, homicide or accidental deaths (such as transportation-related accidents).

Well known members of the 27 club — From to right: Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse. Image: Wikipedia
The 27 club consists of exceptionally talented singers and musicians who died at age 27, between 1938 and 2011. These people would have undoubtedly influenced music history if they had lived longer . There are at least, 72 celebrities listed as far back as 1932.
Also, there are two criteria one needs to fulfill in order to become a member:
1. An artist needs to have achieved a level success before reaching the age of 27;
2. He or she needs to pass away in their 27th year
The most famous members include:
Robert Johnson, who died at age 27 in 1938, was the first member of the 27 Club. Johnson was a legendary early blues guitarist and songwriter. Hi guitar playing was so otherworldly he was said to have “made a deal with the Devil” to obtain his talent.
Jimi Hendrix was another otherworldly guitarist. His his mainstream career spanned only four year, he had global hits like Along The Watchtower, Foxy Lady and Angel. Eric Clapton in a 1968 interview with Rolling Stone said “Jimi can sing very well”.
Janis Joplin has always been extremely high on the list of the greatest and most influential female singers.She was one of the most successful and widely known female rock stars of her era, she was noted for her powerful mezzo-soprano vocals and “electric” stage presence.
Jim Morrison was a poet who named his band the Doors after the mystical poet William Blake’s “Doors of perception.”
Brian Jones was the founder and original leader of the Rolling Stones.
Kurt Cobain was the frontman for Nirvana and the group’s lead vocalist and primary songwriter.
Amy Winehouse was an immensely talented but deeply troubled English singer and songwriter.
Other members are sometimes included in the 27 Club, such as:
- Jean-Michel Basquiat is better known as a graffiti artist and painter.
- Louis Chauvain, a ragtime musician.
- Rudy Lewis, a vocalist for the Drifters.
- Dickie Pride
- Rockin’ Robin Roberts
- and others
Other gifted singers and musicians who died prematurely at other ages:
Tim Bergling, aka Avicii, committed suicide at age 28. He was known for songs like Wake Me Up ( which now seems prophetic for its refrain “I didn’t know I was lost” ) Levels, The Nights and For a Better Day.
Sam Cooke was an incredibly gifted singer and a wonderful songwriter. He he wrote one of the greatest songs of all time, to boot. Cooke died December 11, 1964, he was shot three times in the chest in a Los Angeles shooting.
Buddy Holly was a highly influential singer, songwriter and musician. He produced some of the most distinctive and influential work in rock music. Holly’s breakthrough hit was “That’ll Be the Day,” with The Crickets in 1957. Buddy Holly was just 22 years old when he died through a plane crash.
Freddie Mercury was a great singer, songwriter and showman. He was known for his flamboyant stage persona and four-octave vocal range. At the time of his death, he is said to have had a net worth of around £36 million ($50 million ). Mercury died on November 24, 1991
- Marvin Gaye
- Hank Williams Sr.
- Elvis Presley
- John Lennon
- Bob Marley
- Otis Redding
- Whitney Houston
- Tupac Shakur
- Notorious B.I.G.
- Karen Carpenter
- Dolores O’Riordan
- Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Selena
- Aaliyah
- Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes
- Tammi Terrell
- Cass Elliot
- Ritchie Valens
Thus article is based on information gathered from Wikipedia, Quora and other trusted journals.