You know the old myth – musicians who sell their souls to the devil for fame and fortune end up dying at 27. Coincidence or curse? That dreaded number 27 has long haunted the music world, earning the ominous title of the “27 club.”
When you add the digits (2 + 7 = 9), it represents endings and mortality. From Robert Johnson to Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin to Kurt Cobain, the list goes on of iconic talents who flamed out at the ripe old age of 27. Were these tortured artists destined to join the “devil’s number 27” club from the start? Or did the fame machine push them over the edge?
The Infamous 27 Club
Being a rock star seems like a dream come true until you realize that fame and fortune often come with a price. For some musicians, that price was their life at the young age of 27. Known as the “27 Club“, musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, and Amy Winehouse all passed away at that fateful age.
Some attribute the curse of 27 to musicians “selling their souls” for fame and talent. When you add 2 + 7, you get 9, which some see as a number of endings and conclusions. Regardless of the reason, the fame, stress, and hard-living lifestyles of rock stars in their prime seem to culminate for some at that pivotal age between youth and maturity.
While the 27 Club refers specifically to popular musicians, other artists like Basquiat and van Gogh also died at that age. Still, the rock stars of the 27 Club remain infamous for their legendary talent cut short. Their music lives on, but we’re left wondering what other songs, sounds, and creative works of art we might have enjoyed had they lived into their 30s and beyond.
The Occult Symbolism of 27
For those into numerology and the occult, the number 27 is certainly considered a mystical and magical number with deep occult symbolism. The numbers 2 and 7 each carry their own specific meanings in numerology that combine to give 27 its occult significance.
The number 2 represents concepts of duality, relationships, balance, and partnerships in general numerology. However, in occult practices, the 2 is seen as representing an exchange or interaction between opposing forces that create some kind of harmony or energy transfer, aka. “something for something” or “eye for eye.”
Meanwhile, the number 7 symbolizes notions of spiritual wisdom, inner knowledge, and mysticism. In occult traditions, it is commonly associated with things that are hidden, secret, or unknown to many regular people.
When you bring together the meanings of 2 and 7, the devil number 27 could represent sacrificing yourself for something or someone in order to gain some benefits in return. This reminds me of the infamous Club 27, where many artists seemingly sold their souls to attain fame and wealth.
Even further, if you add 2 + 7 you get the number 9. While 9 symbolizes wisdom and humanitarianism in numerology, in occult traditions, the number is more about endings and death. So does the number 27 truly deserve the moniker of “devil number”? From this perspective, absolutely!
Final Words
Even if you aren’t into numerology or anything occult, the number of famous people who die at that exact age is just crazy. It really makes you stop and think. What are the odds that many big names would kick the bucket at 27?
While there may be no real curse, 27 remains a powerful number in rock mythology. Every year, fans hold their breath to see if another young musician might join the notorious 27 Club. Though their lives were brief, the impact of these artists will continue to resonate for generations. Their music, passion, and spirit of youthful rebellion will never grow old.
