There is a single statistic that connects the lives of Janis Joplin, Jimmi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison and Brian Jones . Apart from the fact that they were brilliant musicians in their own individual way , they all died aged 27 .
Each death was curious , surprising and shocking.
Brian Jones - To begin with , Brian jones could play the Guitar, harmonica, keyboard, mellotron, sitar ,tambura, saxophone ,slide guitar, marimba , banjo , oboe and a few other instruments . Jones' was 'instrumental' when it came to 'The Rolling Stones' unique sound (pun intended) . His multi-talents and signature sound defined many stones' numbers. But Brain Jones always felt alienated from the band . With the arrival of Keith Richards and Mick Jagger who slowly but steadily grabbed all the spotlight , jones grew estranged . This led to his departure from the band . He performed with high-profile artists such Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Jimmi Hendrix. Jones' music heavily influenced Jim Morrison who later wrote 'tightrope ride ' for him .
Jones was known for his flamboyance . Prior to his death , Jones' mental state was often questionable. On the 3rd of july 1969 , he was found at the bottom of his swimming pool,motionless. His death was labelled as 'death due to misadventure' and an autopsy showed an enlarged liver and heart due to excessive drug and alcohol use . The actual cause of his death is still uncertain. He died aged 27.
Janis Joplin - Janis Lyn Joplin was an american singer-songwriter . Personally, she is one of the greatest singers I've ever heard . Throughout her career, Jopilin performed with three bands , 'The Big Brother and The Holding Company , 'Kozmic Blues Band' and 'Full-tilt boogie Band' . Joplin let the drugs and the booze over-power her supreme talent . Her favourite was the 'Southern Comfort' (trust me , its smooth) . Janis Joplin was an awesome performer who often connected with her audience intensely.
However, her Heroin use grew. On the 4th Of October 1970, she was found dead in her apartment . She died of drug-overdose . She died aged 27.
Various songs have been dedicated to the largely engimatic Joplin and her life . Don Mclean , most notably, pays tribute to her in his famous song 'American Pie ' . Even today , I'm touched by the depth and quality of her voice as I listen to 'piece of my heart' .
Jim Morrison - Jim Morrison was a singer, song-writer , flimmaker and a poet. To me , He was a self-destructive genius. In my opinion, Jim's voice is the greatest ever. Jim Morrison personified the term 'rockstar' . He was stlyish, candid, a showman, scandalous, charismatic , outspoken, a drug-addict and often at conflict with himself . Besides this , He wrote abstarct lyrics and he was at times, single-handedly 'The Doors' . Jim was a womaniser and led an eccentric life-style.
Jim Morrison was found dead in his apartment in is bathtub on the 3rd of July 1971 . No autopsy was performed . The cause of his death is widely believed to be a Heart-attack. He died aged 27.
Morrison will always be considered one of the most popular/influential singer/songwriters in rock history.
Jimmi Hendrix - Jimmi Hendrix was an american guitarist, singer and songwriter . Hendrix is widely reguarded as the Greatest Guitarists of all time. There is absoluetly nothing he could not do with his guitar (including play with his teeth) . He made famous the 'Fender Stratocaster' .
Jimmi Hendrix grew up through poverty and hardships which was the result of his shy, sensitive nature . Hendrix performed with Buddy Miles, The Isley brothers and most notably, Little Richard who was a steady influence throughtout his growing career. Jimmi Hendrix used LSD frequently but claimed not to have used cannabis until he met a certain artist later on in his life.
Jimmi Hendrix was an influential figure in the 60's Psychedelic Rock scene .
He was found dead in his apartment on the 18th september 1970. He asphyxiated from consuming large amount of sleeping pills . He died aged 27 . The alleagtions of murder by his manager have been floating around since his death . Jimmi Hnedrix's posthumous fame continues to grow because of his on-stage performances and incredible guitar sounds.
Kurt Cobain - Kurt Cobain was an american singer-songwriter of the famous band 'Nirvana' .
Kurt had an exceptional voice that perfectly suited the growing 'grunge' scene in the early 90's .
Kurt Cobain believed that ''Music comes first, lyrics comes second'' . Kurt wrote most of his lyrics based on personal experiences , relationships and his thoughts and beliefs. His band 'NIRVANA' were deeply influential in bringing forward the 'grunge' scene.
Melancholy is aften associated with Kurt Cobain and his music . He lead an often depressing life which began from the time his parents divorced when he was 8 . Throughout his short-lived career he battled with illness, depression , fame , public image and his musician wife, Courtney Love.
On the 5th of April 1994 , Cobain was found dead in his Lake Washington apartment by an electrician . He had commited suicide . Traces of cocaine and valium were found in his blood along a shotgun and a suicide note . Cobain did not love himself at all , He felt everything he did was insufficient which led to his death. The expectations he had for himself were insurmountable.He died aged 27.
Kurt Cobain's loss is still felt in the music world . Along with being a great singer , He was also one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
So, if you are a musician and you're partying on the eve of ure 27th Birthday , think carefully before you inject , snort , drink or inhale anything illegal.
