Brian Jones, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix all died at the age of 27 between 1969 and 1971. At the time, the coincidence gave rise to some comment, but it was not until the death of Kurt Cobain, about two and a half decades later, that the idea of a ’27 Club’ began to catch on in public perception, reignited again with the death of Amy Winehouse in 2011. 

This group represent just a few of the many well-known singers and musicians who died at that age, and this film looks at the phenomenon and tries to understand why these particular stars are so mythologised and celebrated – and why indeed their lives ended when they did. 

Through rare and unseen footage transcending the viewer on a near quantum leap into the period of each artist’s life and death, along with discerning interviews with musicians, ranging from Gary Numan to Olly Alexander from Years & Years, critics and music industry insiders as well as medical and psychiatric experts, the film investigates the lives, music, and artistry of these lost icons, who have forever been frozen in time at the age of 27.  

As Kurt Cobain quoted a Neil Young song lyric in his suicide note in 1994, he told the world, “It’s better to burn out than to fade away”. He may have meant it only cynically or satirically, but regardless, his death was tragically upon us.  However, In today’s world where drug addiction and mental health issues are continually on the rise and are now the focus of much media and government attention, this documentary is sure to propel further debate as it offers further insight into the world of popular music and it’s many pitfalls.

Featuring contributions from Ann Harrison, Barney Hoskyns, Chilli Jesson, Chris Salewicz, Cosmo Hallstrom, Dan Gillespie Sells, Dave Ambrose, Dylan Jones, Gary Numan, Keith Cameron, Korda Marshall, Lesley Ann Jones, Marin Lloyd Elliot, Mick O’Shea, Olly Alexander, Paul Gambaccini, Paul Trynka, Pete Paphides, Peter Jenner, Steve Blame, Tom Robinson & Tris Penna, ‘27 Gone Too Soon’ will be screened at Regent Street Cinema on Monday 26th March and releasing same day on DVD and Digital HD. 

Directed by Simon Napier-Bell 

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