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This article was first published 12 years ago

The Greatest Musicians Who Died At 27

Last updated on: July 25, 2011 11:58 IST

Image: Amy Winehouse
Photographs: REUTERS/Alessia Pierdomenico (BRITAIN)

Amy Winehouse's untimely death at the age of 27 took us back to the curse of 27.

As is widely known, some of the greatest musicians in the world passed away at the age of 27. In fact, as many as 34 musicians have died at the age of 27 from around the world.

All of these late artists, while supremely talented, left us all wondering how their lives and careers would have panned out if they hadn't fallen prey to destiny.

We take a look at the most prominent musicians, who died at the age of 27.

Brian Jones

Image: Brian Jones
Photographs: Wikimedia Commons

Guitarist Brian Jones was the founding member of The Rolling Stones. He played the harmonica as well.

Unfortunately, the troubled musician couldn't overcome his substance abuse problems that is said to have led to his estrangement from his band members.

Shortly after he was replaced in the band, he was found dead in his swimming pool in 1969. An overdose of drugs and alcohol was cited as the cause of his death.

Jimi Hendrix

Image: Jimi Hendrix
Photographs: Reuters/COPYRIGHT AMALIE R. ROTHSCHILD/THE BETTMANN ARCHIVE

Jimi Hendrix is the greatest electric guitarist the world has ever come across and you'll almost never find anyone contesting this statement.

He headlined the most iconic music festival --  the Woodstock festival -- and won every possible award in his time. It's been more than 40 years since he died but we see 15-year olds calling him their idol and singing his songs.

The rollercoster ride that Jimi had embarked upon ended rather abruptly when he asphyxiated on his own vomit and died in 1970, at 27.

Janis Joplin

Image: Janis Joplin
Photographs: Evening Standard/Getty Images

One look at her pictures and you get what exactly it was to be a hippie. Oversized sunshades and a hearty laughter were her trademark. Besides that, Janis Joplin was one of the most important musicians of her time, even called the queen of Rock n' Roll.

What set her apart was her successful breaking into the male-dominated rock scene, paving way for other aspiring female artists. But that's about all that she could manage in her short life.

She died at 27, just 16 days after Jimi Hendrix died, in 1970.

Jim Morrison

Image: Jim Morrison
Photographs: Central Press/Getty Images

The Doors' frontman Jim Morrison wasn't called the God of rock for nothing. His angelic looks, his penetrating poetry and his voice struck a chord with millions of fans all over the world. He was famed for his live improvisations on the lyrics and is widely consideed to be the most charismatic and iconic frontman of all time.

He died mysteriously in a Paris apartment bathtub in 1971.

Kurt Cobain

Image: Kurt Cobain
Photographs: Stringer/Gettyimages

Nirvana is often called the most over-rated rock band in the world. And on some level, it's had to argue with that. How do you explain the phenomenon Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain turned into overnight upon the release of the iconic song Smells Like Teen Spirit?

The vocalist had a very short life but the iconic status he enjoys for just a handful of albums is amazing.

While the real cause of his death is still uncertain, many believe it to be suicide as the rocker was found with a gun.