The deaths of iconic artists like Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, and Janis Joplin at the age of 27 have long fueled the notion that this age is uniquely fatal for musicians and creative visionaries. These tragedies, alongside those of others, from Jimi Hendrix to more recent figures like actor Chance Perdomo, have enshrined the so-called 27 Club as a dark cultural phenomenon.
But does this notion hold up under scrutiny?
Studies have repeatedly shown that while musicians face a higher mortality risk in their 20s and 30s compared to the general population, the age of 27 isn’t statistically more perilous. Research published in BMJ and other academic journals reveals that the mortality rates for musicians at 25, 27, and 32 are nearly identical. In fact, some findings suggest the riskiest years for musicians come before 25.
Yet the myth persists.
With 51 Wikipedia pages devoted to the 27 Club in various languages—85 entries in English alone—the cultural resonance of this myth cannot be denied. Researchers like Zackary Okun Dunivin argue that dismissing it solely for its lack of statistical validity misses the point. Myths, he explains, are powerful tools for collective sense-making, allowing societies to grapple with emotions like wonder, mystery, and grief.
Dunivin’s work, alongside collaborator Patrick Kaminski, examined the deaths of over 14,500 pop musicians with Wikipedia pages, confirming that while being a musician is inherently risky, age 27 isn’t uniquely dangerous. However, their study went further, exploring the cultural impact of the 27 Club myth itself.
The myth endures because it captures a tragic intersection of genius, fame, and mortality, providing a narrative framework for understanding the fragility of brilliance. It’s not just a list of ages or names; it’s a reflection of our fascination with the fleeting nature of artistic genius and the costs of living in the public eye.
As Dunivin notes, “Just because a myth has no basis in fact doesn’t mean it isn’t important.” The 27 Club stands as a cultural mirror, highlighting how we make sense of untimely death and immortalize those we lose too soon. While the science debunks it, the story remains—a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring power of myth in shaping our shared history.
