December 2014

The 27 Club became a well known group of famous musicians in the late 60’s including Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin, but really hit the mainstream when twenty-five years later Kurt Cobain (then once again in 2011 with Amy Winehouse’s death), joined the long line of famous musicians that have died at the tender age of twenty-seven. Generally, the main causes of death were drugs, alcohol, suicide or a violent end. Welcome to the 27 Club.

It’s a phenomenon and a mystery… Why were these young people so troubled? What is the significance of the age 27, if any? There are plenty of theories as to why this age seems to be so unusually common for these performers to only reach this young age. Some consider that the psychological problems concerned with fame, fortune and a cocktail of drugs and alcohol take their toll at this age between youth and maturity consequently affecting their decision-making and luring them down the path of destruction before being able to get a grip on their own true being and reality.

Some theories go as far as reading in to the moon and the stars and their alignment during the times these people died or were killed. Many theories are simpler and look into the similarities of the psyches between those who died similar deaths. The following is a brief look into the most famous musicians on the list of FIFTY stars that joined the 27 Club over the last 122 years.

1. Brian Jones – July 3rd 1969, Cotchford Farm, Hartfield, East Sussex

Brian Jones; excellent guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, was the founder and original bandleader of the Rolling Stones. Once fellow band members Keith Richards and Mick Jagger formed a strong bond and songwriting relationship between them, Jones’ position in the band flagged. He developed a serious drug dependency resulting in his eventual expulsion from the Stones in 1969. Jones was found drowned a month later in his swimming pool at his home. The bassist for the Stones Bill Wyman quoted, “He formed the band. He chose the members. He named the band. He chose the music we played. He got us gigs… Very influential, very important, and then slowly lost it – highly intelligent – and just kind of wasted it and blew it all away.” The cause of death was concluded as and remains to be, death by misadventure, despite later claims that murder was a possibility.

2. Jimi Hendrix – September 18th 1970, Notting Hill, London

The most influential time of Jimi Hendrix’s short career spans only four years but he managed to become one of the most influential instrumentalists and electric guitarists ever. At the time of his death there was much speculation as to the cause of death. At one point it was thought he committed suicide, due to struggles with his management, his rock and roll lifestyle and consequently poor health. After some dispute it was claimed that the cause of death was asphyxia due to choking on his own vomit after taking an overdose of sleeping tablets. An overworked, overstressed accidental death? Or, a plea for peace?

3. Janis Joplin – October 4th 1970, Hollywood, L.A., California

Janis Joplin was a big name in the psychedelic acid-rock scene in the late 60’s becoming better known as the “Queen of Psychedelic Soul” and “Pearl” to her friends and was described as having a “devastatingly original voice”. Joplin was one of the stars to grace the stage at Woodstock warbling out the opening number (and shockingly her only number one hit) Mercedes Benz. Janis joined the 27 Club just a few weeks after Jimi Hendrix after being found dead on the floor alone in the hotel room in which she was staying. Cause of death was listed as heroin overdose, possibly compounded with alcohol. Intentional overdose or just a lonely way out?

4. Jim Morrison – July 3rd 1971, Paris, France

Jim Morrison, lead singer of the power band The Doors, a self-confessed poet, singer songwriter and eclectically wild performer was pronounced dead in Paris aged 27. Being labeled one of the most iconic and influential frontmen in rock music history Morrison was the embodiment of the hippie counterculture rebellion.  Morrison was apparently found dead in the bath in a Paris apartment. The cause of death was allegedly a heroin overdose yet is still under dispute. There was no postmortem or autopsy on his body due to French law at the time claiming no sign of foul play. Morrison was also an alcoholic and a troubled soul that dabbled in many illegal substances over his short life; his long term companion Pamela Courson claimed that he accidentally snorted the heroin that killed him believing it to be cocaine.

5. Kurt Cobain – April 5th 1994, Seattle, Washington, USA

Best known as the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter for the band Nirvana, Kurt Cobain became a 90’s icon for Generation X and “the spokesman of a generation”. Since their debut, Nirvana, with Cobain as a songwriter, has sold over 25 million albums in the US, and over 75 million worldwide. During the last years of his life, Cobain struggled with heroin addiction, illness and depression. He also had difficulty coping with his fame and public image, and the professional and lifelong personal pressures surrounding himself and his wife, musician Courtney Love. On April 8, 1994, Cobain was found dead at his home in Seattle, the victim of what was officially ruled a suicide by a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head. The circumstances of his death at age 27 have become a topic of public fascination and debate. After a tumultuous few months of alleged suicide attempts, sickness, rehab attempts and disappearance from the detox programme, he was found dead at his home by an electrician. He had apparently been lying dead for almost five days with a gunshot wound to the head plus heroin and diazepam in his blood system. He left a note to his imaginary childhood friend “Boddah” which claimed that he had not “felt the excitement of listening to as well as creating music, along with really writing…for too many years now”.

6. Amy Winehouse – July 23rd 2011, Camden, London, UK

The multi-award winning singer songwriter Amy Winehouse was the biggest female artist of her time when she met her maker in 2011. She was only on her second album but had achieved world-wide success and a huge acknowledgement from the world of music. Her music stretched over the genres of Reggae, Soul, Ska, Jazz and R&B producing hit after hit and touring frequently over her short-lived career. Her blast to fame and fortune alongside an alcohol and drug problem plus a volatile, attention grabbing relationship led Amy’s demeanor to change as well as a dramatic alteration in her physical appearance (something which was prominent for her, see the beehive hairstyle and many many tattoos for example) and consequently her ability to stay focussed on her career faltered. She was often incapable of singing, on occasion of even being able to stand when about to go onstage. Her fame became as much of a problem for her as her alcohol and drug dependencies. Those close to her claimed that Amy just wanted to go down to the pub and hang out with the locals and that her new found fame could not permit such a simplistic outing causing her to go on a downward spiral. It was a sad day when this talented young lady let it all get flushed away. She was found dead in her home in Camden, due to alcohol poisoning. Following her death was the revival of the media attention to the 27 Club, of which three years earlier she had expressed a fear of joining.

People identified as being in the 27 Club

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No matter where you are in the world there are some weird and wonderful things to be doing in this joyful month. From burning devils to whirling dervishes or some seriously demonic beats there are some religious, musical, artistic and simply mind blowing spectacles out there to get your festive spirits flowing. Here is our list of the not-to-be-missed festivals going on around the world this December.

Budapest Christmas Fair

WHERE: Budapest, Hungary
WHEN:  28 November – 1 January
WHY: At the end of November Vörösmarty Square turns into a festive market place. The location is ideal; the Square is in the heart of the city at the end of Váciutca. Cottage-style wooden stalls and two outdoor stages take over one of Budapest’s most attractive spots during the couple of weeks preceding the end-of-the-year holidays. You can smell the scent of traditional honey cookies, mulled wine, cinnamon and fir from afar. The rich fragrant simply lures you to the market.

Programs on two stages every day from 17.00 till 20.00: folk, jazz, world music concerts, dance house performances entertain visitors to the fair. On weekend mornings puppet show will be on stage; sure to delight families with children. 122 stalls offer high-quality products (selected and approved by special a jury of folk art experts).
Gastronomy: besides the usual fair delicacies (kürtös kalács, bread pizza baked in clay oven, roasted chestnut) you can taste traditional Hungarian Christmas dishes: stuffed cabbage in, roasted goose thigh, pork knuckle, grilled sausage and meat.

National Finals Rodeo Las Vegas

WHERE: Thomas and Mack Center, Las Vegas, USA
WHEN: The first full week of December
WHY: Get stuck in and attend the hoedown and gift show (and hope for the rare chance to attend the rodeo).
It could be argued that Las Vegas is a never-ending festival, a glorified fairground where the lights never go down. But there are moments when even Vegas outshines itself, and the 10-day National Finals Rodeo (NFR) is prime among them. Go to watch the most entertaining show of cowboys doing what they do best in the most vibrant and exhilarating atmosphere going.

Quema del Diablo (Burning of the Devil)

WHERE: Guatemala City & Antigua
WHEN: 7 December
WHY: If you want some brownie points ahead of Christmas, there are few better ways than to help the Guatemalans burn the devil. In local traditions, the devil lurks in the corners of homes, beneath beds and among garbage. Each year, as a prelude to Christmas, homes are cleaned and on 7 December the rubbish is collected in the streets. Often, an effigy of the devil is thrown on top, just to really sort him out. At 6pm the piles of garbage are set alight, chasing out the evil spirits and ushering in a devil-free Christmas season. To accompany the burn there might be marimba bands and there will certainly be fireworks…another rocket up the fleeing devil’s behind.

Mevlâna Festival – Whirling Dervishes

WHERE: Turkey
WHEN: 10-17 December
WHY: To be mesmerised as the dervishes whirl..In the Islamic world the 13th-century Sufipoet Celaleddin Rumi, or Mevlâna (Our Guide), is all but considered a saint. One of the world’s great mystic philosophers, his poetry and religious writings are among the most beloved and respected in Islam and beyond. Madonna is an unabashed fan, and Mevlâna is said to be one of the biggest-selling poets in the USA. He also believed that union with God was possible through dance.

SantaCon

WHERE: San Francisco, California, United States
WHEN: 13 December
WHY: SantaCon is a bar crawl in which participants dress as Santa or other Christmas characters. It is also known as Santarchy, Santa Rampage, the Red Menace, and Santapalooz which originated in San Francisco, USA. It has been critiqued as being nonsensical and rowdy but it’s quite a spectacle seeing thousands of red Santas roaming the streets and getting into the festive mood.
It began in San Francisco in 1994 and has since spread to 44 countries around the world. In 2013 it was scheduled in 300 cities, including New York City, London, Vancouver, Belfast, and Moscow. The New York SantaCon is the largest, with an estimated 30,000 people participating in 2012. The authorities are getting wise to the event and additional security is added each year to keep the Santas on their best behavior!

Burning the Clocks

WHERE: Brighton, UK
WHEN: 21 December
WHY: Burning the Clocks is a unique community event in which local people make their own paper and willow lanterns. After carrying them through the city in a lantern parade they pass them into the fire on Brighton beach, as a token of the year’s end. Then a dazzling fire show is set in motion, in which a massive fire sculpture is ignited, live music plays, and fireworks light up the sky!

Burning the Clocks was created in 1994 as a way to celebrate the festive season regardless of faith or creed. It is free and the route is suitable for all ages and abilities. Over 2,000 people now take part in the parade and over 20,000 spectators turn out to watch.

Junkanoo Parade

WHEN: 26 December
WHERE: Nassau, Bahamas.
WHY: Long before the spectacular ‘rush-out’, the exuberant Junkanoo dance troupes – groups of up to 1,000 – will have been busy rehearsing their dazzling routines. The musicians will have perfected the hypnotic rhythms they’ll perform day and night on a cacophony of goatskin drums, cowbells, whistles and horns, and the imaginative costume designers will have worked non-stop to weave their own special magic with beautifully coloured crepe paper and cardboard.

As the Junkanoo parade moves through the streets of downtown Nassau in the early hours of the morning (generally from 2am to 10am), the energy of the dancers and the beat of the music motivates the vast crowds of supporters and spectators to start moving in their seats, or on their feet, or in the trees, or on balconies – wherever they have found a spot from which to watch this soul-stirring festival!

Sunburn Festival

WHERE: Goa, India
WHEN: 27 – 30 December
WHY: Sunburn, Asia’s largest music festival, is a three day electronic dance Festival held in the beach and party destination of Goa. This massive festival is an amazing blend of the best dance music, entertainment, world class food and multi-cultural shopping and was ranked by CNN in 2009 as the 9th Best Festival in the World. Last year the Sunburn Festival in Goa took place in Vagator and witnessed around 120 Artists and over 200 hours of Music. it had over 10,000sq.m. of exotic festival area with seven gigantic stages. The 8th edition (December, 2014) will witness 150 DJ’s including Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Knife Party, Sander van Doorn, Sasha, Krewella, Baauer, Danny Avila, Head Hunterz, Deniz Koyu, Dubvision, Paul Oakenfold, Matthew Koma, MAKJ, New World Sound, Michael Woods and many more in the phase one international line- up. Not to be missed this life time!

Hogmanay Festival

WHERE: Edinburgh, Scotland
WHEN: 29 December– 1 January
WHY: Because, there’s a wee party going on in Scotland. For Scots, the New Year has always been a more important celebration than Christmas, and largely they’ve managed to convince the world of the same through the enormous Hogmanay celebrations that engulf Edinburgh. Three days of spectacular events, incredible bands and amazing crowds from every corner of the globe. See Shetland Vikings bearing fire-lit torches, hear beautiful choral singing in St Giles’ Cathedral, enjoy birling to traditional Scottish music on the Mound, and watch top stars and incredible fireworks from Princes Street Gardens. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay shows the world how to party!

Highlighted as one of the ‘Top 100 things to do before you die’ and recently the only festival to appear in the ‘Discovery Channel – Top 25 World Travel Experiences’, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party is one of the world’s greatest New Year celebrations.

As the bells strike midnight, join hands with friends from across the globe in the world’s biggest rendition of Auld Lang Syne! Spend the first day of 2015 on a journey through Edinburgh’s Old Town and discover nine incredible new worlds, presenting the very best in music, art and theatre, created and curated by Scotland’s most innovative artists and musicians.

Reveillon

WHERE: Copacabana Beach, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
WHEN: 31 December
WHY: To party with the beautiful people and experience one of the best ways to see in the New Year is to join the party on Rio’s mighty Copacabana beach, where the spiritual and the secular come together for one amazing night. Rio’s biggest holiday after its spectacular and rowdy Carnaval sees around two million people pack the sands to welcome in the New Year – you won’t be laying out a towel and throwing a Frisbee on Copacabana beach this night.

From about 8pm, top bands perform on stages strung out along the 4km-long beach, pumping out a variety of Brazilian and international music. At midnight, a spectacular fireworks display lights up the night sky for up to 20 minutes. The hardiest of revelers keep things going all night long and watch the sun rise the next morning.

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