Stairway to 27: Rock’s Greatest Legends Climbed Toward the Top only to Stop Just Before Same Next Step
Throughout the years, we have lost a number of rock and roll legends, most of them burning out well before they reached the age of 30. But Richard Syrett, the writer of Tales from the Rock ‘n Roll Twilight Zone, drills down further. His investigation includes many of the curious circumstances surrounding stars who not only share the common thread of being from the same profession but also of the same age at the time of death—27 years-old.
The list includes the following names:
- Jim Morrison (the Doors)
- Janis Joplin
- Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)
- Jimi Hendrix
- Robert Johnson
- Brian Jones (Rolling Stones)
- Ron McKernan (Grateful Dead)
- Peter de Freitas (Echo & the Bunnymen)
- Amy Winehouse
- Peter Ham (Badfinger)
- Several others…
ORDER RICHARD SYRETT’S BOOK TALES FROM THE ROCK ‘N ROLL TWILIGHT ZONE ON AMAZON.COM.
Over the years, several young talent found their lives ended, either by their own hand or through other circumstances. These include such legends as Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison of The Doors and Jimi Hendrix, along with Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones and, most notably, Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain.
It’s almost an eerie connection, as if a “fated” age in which these talents found themselves burnt out. And there’s plenty of mystery surrounding their deaths as well.
For example, Brian Jones’ case had officially been called “death by misadventure,” hinting at a usage of drugs and alcohol. Some, however, insist he may have been the subject of foul play.
Jim Morrison is another case, being found dead in a bathtub of a heart attack. At the time, French authorities refused to perform an autopsy, noting one was not needed since foul play was not suspected. However, this has fueled online speculation, with many questioning how he really died.
Finally, there’s Kurt Cobain, whose death was officially ruled a suicide by shotgun blast to the head. However, several private investigators questioned certain elements surrounding his death, but have been unable to reopen the case.
So what is it about deaths such as these, and at such a specific age? And, for that matter, learning more about what could have made these young artists burn out so quickly, aside from the pressure of success?
LEARN MORE ABOUT RICHARD SYRETT’S STRANGE PLANET PODCAST HERE.
Syrett knows this territory all too well, as his book explores Eerie Enigmas and Supernatural Secrets from Rock’s Darkest Corners. He also created and hosts the online show Richard Syrett’s Strange Planet as well. He joins us now to discuss this interesting phenomenon, and what it could say about the fate of those involved.
Q&A:
- A number of talented artists have lost their lives at the exact same age of 27. What do you think is the phenomenon surrounding this number? Or is it simply just chance?
- Do you think these artists felt so much pressure at a young age that they felt there was no other way out? Or were other forces at play here?
- Out of all the notable deaths of these artists at the age of 27, which one do you think needs to be explored further? Cobain’s suicide? Morrison’s heart attack? Or Jones’ pool incident? Perhaps another?
- You’ve often explored a number of stories surrounding mysterious music artist deaths with your book, Tales from the Rock ‘n Roll Twilight Zone. What interested you in researching this topic, and learning more about their fates?
- Are there any particular music artists you want to learn more about, that you weren’t able to cover in the book?
- Do you think some biographies and documentaries have it wrong for not digging deeper on their subjects, and what may have pushed them down a much darker path? Do they “play it safe” on purpose?
- Tell us more about your podcast, Richard Syrett’s Strange Planet, what you discuss on the show, and where fans can learn more about it.
- Where can people pick up your book Tales from the Rock ‘n Roll Twilight Zone?
- It’s available on Amazon, and wherever most books are sold.
About Richard Syrett…
Richard Syrett came into this world almost at the precise moment rock’ s British Invasion landed in North America. Having lost his soul to Rock ‘ n Roll at a very early age, he now invites you to join him on this magical, mysterious, musical odyssey. An accomplished teller of spell-binding tales, and a fixture on Toronto air-waves for three decades, this veteran broadcaster made his bones as a keen interviewer in the arena of the unexplained.
Richard is a regular guest-host on Coast to Coast AM, the most-listened-to, late-night radio program in the world. He is also the host and creator of the popular podcast, Richard Syrett’ s Strange Planet. He created, wrote, produced and starred in the documentary television series, The Conspiracy Show, which aired across Canada, Australia, parts of Europe and Africa for four seasons. He is a much sought-after expert on all things unexplained and has appeared on numerous TV series, including: William Shatner’ s Weird or What; National Park Mysteries; and Freak Encounters. A devoted husband and father of twin boys, Richard resides north of Toronto.
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