The 27 Club is a phenomenon in the rock music industry, where artists pass away at the young age of 27. Some of the notable names include Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, and Jimi Hendrix. This led to many fans suspecting a curse surrounding the number 27.
Some bands have also been associated with a run of bad luck, such as Def Leppard. Despite the obstacles they faced while producing their hit album ‘Hysteria’, including Rick Allen’s car crash, Mutt Lange’s car accident, and Joe Elliott’s mumps, they still managed to release the successful record. However, this marked the start of a string of unfortunate events for the band.
Urban legends suggest that some musical acts have been affected by a string of bad luck. The so-called “27 Club” is a reference to the many talented musicians who died at the age of 27, including Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, and Jimi Hendrix. Another example is Def Leppard, who went through a number of challenges, such as addiction, accidents, and divorce, during the creation of their hit album “Hysteria”.
Lynyrd Skynyrd is said to have been affected by the “Crossroads Curse” after covering Robert Johnson’s song “Crossroads”. Soon after, their drummer Robert Burns Jr. died in a car crash, followed by a horrific plane crash. The Allman Brothers Band also experienced the loss of several band members, including Duane Allman who died in a motorcycle accident in 1971, followed by Berry Oakley who died in a similar accident a year later.
The Allman Brothers Band has had a long and successful music career, but it has also been marred by a series of tragic events. Over the years, many band members have passed away one after another. Duane Allman, the band’s guitarist, died in a motorcycle accident in 1971, just two years after the band’s formation.
Berry Oakley, the band’s bassist, died in a motorcycle accident just a year later. Lamar Williams, who replaced Oakley, died from lung cancer after a successful career with the band. Dan Toler, who worked as the band’s guitarist between 1979 and 1982, died from ALS. Allen Woody, who joined the band in 1989, died from a heroin overdose in 2000. Butch Trucks, one of the original members, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 2017, and Gregg Allman passed away from liver cancer the same year. The series of deaths has led some to believe that there was a curse surrounding the Allman Brothers Band.
In an interview with Rolling Stone in 1973, the following statement was made by Gregg Allman.
“The real question is not why we’re so popular. I try not to think about that too much. The question is, what made the Allman Brothers keep on going. I’ve had guys come up to me and say, ‘Man, it just doesn’t seem like losing those two fine cats affected you people at all.’
Why? Because I still have my wits about me? Because I can still play? Well, that’s the key right there. We’d all have turned into f*cking vegetables if we hadn’t been able to get out there and play. That’s when the success was, Jack. Success was being able to keep your brain inside your head.”
Therefore, it appears that Gregg Allman believed it was necessary to keep playing music and not just grieve in order to keep going. He felt that if they stopped playing, they would simply become stagnant. Despite his passing in 2017, the remaining members of the Allman Brothers Band marked the band’s 50th anniversary with a tribute concert under the name “the Brothers.” However, it is uncertain if they agreed with Gregg’s stance on continuing as a band.