Pretty flimsy reason for a show - no real musical connection - rather morbid, actually. Though perhaps a musical comedy with the six of them in heaven acting kind of snooty with all the other musicians because they're in such an exclusive club. But that's more a witty dialogue show - less a musical one.
The tragedy of the 27 club means going out at the first peak of fame. To not experience the lows and the subsequent peaks is a loss for the artists and of course, their fans. But then, the prize if that’s the right word (which it isn’t) is guaranteed legend, immortality in a sense. It’s been so long since the last member because it’s no longer a thing. And that’s progress of a sort.
I remember many of those deaths, but if your premise is correct all of them were of an age to know what they were doing when they took the overdose or picked up the gun. Amy for one was determined to die young and said so, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Janice was too. Jimi I thought at the time was a sad accident born of his belief he could absorb any amount of drugs, but of course we will never know. Thanks for another thought provoking article.
Well, yes - at 27 you do start to know what you're doing. The danger comes from the sudden shock of realising you didn't previously - and now have to live with the results. For some people, the result of having lived so carelessly previously is beneficial - things you'd have never achieved had you been more careful. For others - the opposite.
I suppose so. 27 was when my first daughter was born, but I started moving on from my wild days when I was 24 or so. I think some people are just self destructive but if they survive beyond 30 they can grow out of that. Life is a fatal condition and some people know that too soon and welcome it, and reach for it. Sad.
Simon, I read your article just now and it really opened my eyes to my earlier years when I worked for Ahmet Ertugan in LA.... so many years ago but even so I was young and I didn't understand why so many new bands fell apart when it looked to me as though they had everything going for them... now I know they really didn't unless they matured earlier before the corruption that surrounded them killed off their dreams. Janice
Pfffff so happy I just reached 31 years old. But I might be the exception, because I am still partying and trying to write the most senseless lyrics.
But as alway I thoroughly enjoyed your substack!
Thanks Simon
Well done reaching safety. But beware late developing frontal lobes. Mine still hasn't yet hit its prime and I'm almost ready for the grave.
Well I know the feeling, I sometimes wonder if I do have frontal lobes.
Despite age I hope you are doing well.
Excellent as always, Simon. As you can imagine, here in Las Vegas there was a short lived cover show based on the 27 Club.
Pretty flimsy reason for a show - no real musical connection - rather morbid, actually. Though perhaps a musical comedy with the six of them in heaven acting kind of snooty with all the other musicians because they're in such an exclusive club. But that's more a witty dialogue show - less a musical one.
The tragedy of the 27 club means going out at the first peak of fame. To not experience the lows and the subsequent peaks is a loss for the artists and of course, their fans. But then, the prize if that’s the right word (which it isn’t) is guaranteed legend, immortality in a sense. It’s been so long since the last member because it’s no longer a thing. And that’s progress of a sort.
As ever, a perceptive, erudite and witty piece by Simon.
I remember many of those deaths, but if your premise is correct all of them were of an age to know what they were doing when they took the overdose or picked up the gun. Amy for one was determined to die young and said so, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Janice was too. Jimi I thought at the time was a sad accident born of his belief he could absorb any amount of drugs, but of course we will never know. Thanks for another thought provoking article.
Well, yes - at 27 you do start to know what you're doing. The danger comes from the sudden shock of realising you didn't previously - and now have to live with the results. For some people, the result of having lived so carelessly previously is beneficial - things you'd have never achieved had you been more careful. For others - the opposite.
I suppose so. 27 was when my first daughter was born, but I started moving on from my wild days when I was 24 or so. I think some people are just self destructive but if they survive beyond 30 they can grow out of that. Life is a fatal condition and some people know that too soon and welcome it, and reach for it. Sad.
Simon, I read your article just now and it really opened my eyes to my earlier years when I worked for Ahmet Ertugan in LA.... so many years ago but even so I was young and I didn't understand why so many new bands fell apart when it looked to me as though they had everything going for them... now I know they really didn't unless they matured earlier before the corruption that surrounded them killed off their dreams. Janice
It killed of some, helped others materialise.