The Startling Last Words of Stars Who Died at the Age of 27

Written By James Chung
| March 21, 2020
- 2:46 pm

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Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison and Amy Winehouse are just a few of the many talented stars who passed away at the young age of 27, making each of them famous members of the so-called “27 Club.” All of them burned brightly before meeting a tragic demise, and these are the last words that they left behind.

Jimi Hendrix’s Call for Help

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Jimi Hendrix is remembered as one of the most influential guitarists in history thanks to his flamboyant electric guitar skills and pioneering sound in the 1960s. Tragically, his career was cut short when he died from drug-related complications on September 18, 1970 after only truly enjoying mainstream success for 4 years.

Jimi Hendrix’s Call for Help

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Born in 1942 in Seattle, as James Marshall Hendrix, the future rock star had a tough childhood and ended up in the care of extended family and acquaintances. His parents, Al and Lucille, would often get drunk and fight, which had a lasting effect on the young Hendrix.

Jimi Hendrix’s Call for Help

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After Hendrix’s mother Lucille died in 1958, Hendrix directed himself toward playing the guitar, and the instrument became a sanctuary for him. He taught himself to play the blues, started to skip school, and spent most of his time hanging out with musicians. Hendrix played in several bands before becoming a known commodity, beginning with the Rocking Kings and including the King Kasuals, Curtis Knight and the Squires, and Jimmy James and the Blue Flames.

Jimi Hendrix’s Call for Help

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Throughout the ’60s, Hendrix also became associated with the recreational drug counterculture in the United States. He experimented with LSD, cannabis, and several other substances in addition to becoming a heavy drinker. Many blamed his drug and alcohol addiction for the numerous tales of Hendrix being violent with girlfriends and lovers – though these stories have been disputed.

Jimi Hendrix’s Call for Help

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Herbie Worthington, who was friends with Hendrix, said that after drinking, he would turn into a different character. As recorded in Charles R. Cross’ Room Full of Mirrors, Worthington said “[Hendrix] just couldn’t drink. He simply turned into a bastard.” As it would turn out, it was drinking and drug use that would cost Hendrix his life in the end.

Jimi Hendrix’s Call for Help

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On September 17, 1970, Hendrix spent the evening out with friends before heading home with his girlfriend, Monika Dannemann. The two of them enjoyed the rest of the night together, drinking red wine before Hendrix took sleeping pills.

Jimi Hendrix’s Call for Help

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The next morning, Dannemann found his dead body covered in his own vomit. It was reported that Jimi had taken 9 full sleeping tablets the night before (almost 20 times the recommended dose) and died from asphyxiation.

Jimi Hendrix’s Call for Help

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Hendrix’s last known words were in an answering machine message he left for his manager and friend Chas Chandler. He said “I need help bad, man.” Of course, this brought about the question of what did Hendrix need help with?

Jimi Hendrix’s Call for Help

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A number of conspiracy theories have sprung up over the years around Hendrix’s death, with the predictable ones being that his girlfriend had killed him or that he’d intentionally taken his own life. There were even some more far-fetched ones that suggested that he was murdered by his manager, but no meaningful evidence has ever come to light to support any of these theories.

Robert Johnson’s Final Words to the Devil

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Robert Johnson was a legendary American blues musician whose name is surrounded by rumors and mythology. As the story goes, Johnson traded his soul to the Devil himself in exchange for his musical gifts, and then he died under mysterious circumstances at the age of 27 on August 16, 1938.

Robert Johnson’s Final Words to the Devil

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Although he only participated in two recording sessions – conducted in improved settings such as hotel rooms – and released just 29 songs, Johnson was hugely influential on a range of iconic musicians. Many of Johnson’s songs, lyrics and blues licks have been referenced by and influenced artists over the years like Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Robert Plant and Keith Richards.

Robert Johnson’s Final Words to the Devil

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Research into his life suggests that Johnson was haunted by many things. Driven by a desire to never return to the laborious agricultural work of his youth, the songwriter lived a nomadic life — frequently disappearing and reappearing in locations across the South and Midwest of America. Wandering with his guitar, Johnson performed wherever he could.

Robert Johnson’s Final Words to the Devil

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The story goes that Johnson was given poisoned whiskey by a lover’s jealous husband who had apparently hoped to teach Johnson a lesson. The guitarist fell ill and died several days later on August 16, 1938, in Greenwood, Mississippi.

Photo of Robert JOHNSON and Robert JOHNSON (GRAVE)

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While it’s unknown precisely what killed Johnson, he also suffered from an ulcer which may have contributed to his death. Before being laid to rest in a pine box, Johnson’s final words were, “I pray that my redeemer will come and take me from my grave.”

Jim Morrison’s Mysterious Death in Paris

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Legendary singer, songwriter and poet Jim Morrison died in Paris on July 3, 1971, some 9 months after the death of Jimi Hendrix. With no autopsy having been conducted, the exact cause of The Doors’ lead vocalist’s death has never been determined – but there’s been no shortage of speculation.

Jim Morrison’s Mysterious Death in Paris

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The “Lizard King” is regarded by critics and fans as one of the most influential frontmen in history, and as famous as Morrison is for writing iconic songs like “Light My Fire,” “L.A. Woman” and “Riders on the Storm,” he’s also known for his alcohol and drug use.

Jim Morrison’s Mysterious Death in Paris

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Indeed, Morrison developed a serious dependency on alcohol, and it affected his live performances so much that the singer fell off the stage during a performance in December 1967. Earlier in the night, according to Frank Lisciandro’s Jim Morrison: Friends Gathered Together, he had told the band, “I’m going to get as drunk as I can possibly get and then I won’t be responsible. It’ll just be the phenomenon manifesting itself through me while I’m blotto.” In the documentary When You’re Strange, there’s also a chilling clip of Morrison in the middle of an alcohol-induced spasm. However, there’s no evidence that his death was alcohol-related.

Jim Morrison’s Mysterious Death in Paris

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