Lost at 27: Musicians, Artists, Mortals

Are you a fan of Kurt Cobain? Does Jim Morrison light your fire? Do you groove to Grateful Dead or pogo to The Gits? The phenomenon known as the 27 Club has baffled people for years. Why have so many talented members of our society died at the tender age of 27? Why have other greats survived that age?

Some died violently, by guns or drugs. Others died of disease or accident. One was murdered by a serial killer. Regardless of how they left this world, these artists have captured our collective hearts.

Music and art have a way of changing our lives. In Lost at 27: Musicians, Artists, Mortals, poets express a deep connection to the artists and their stunning creations. Their words explore the lives, accomplishments and deaths of many of those who left us too soon.

Remember with us those featured here. We hope you find a favorite—old or new—in this poetry collection.

What do you know about the 27 Club? Most people know maybe three or four of these artists who died at the young age of 27. Many people think they all died from drug overdoses - they didn’t. Many died from disease, accidents, and, sadly, gun violence.

Who is in the 27 Club?
The 27 Club includes classic performers like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. It also includes little-known artists such as poet Rupert Brooke and silent film star Myrtle Gonzalez. Musicians in K-Pop and Brazilian Rap are included. Actors from Star Trek and Power Rangers have joined the club.

Lives Told in Poetry
Lost at 27 is an eclectic collection of 38 members of the mysterious 27 Club. Their stories are told by poets at all stages of their careers. The poetry is as diverse as the artists of the Club. The writers come from the US and around the world. In their bios, you can find out about their other work.
The poems are vivid and bring the work of the artists to life asking their own set of questions. From fans of teenage heartthrobs to the coroner handling their bodies, this collection covers a wide spectrum of the performers.

What is the Poetry Like?
A variety of styles, from diverse voices will stimulate your curiosity. The poets pour their hearts out paying tribute to their favorite artists who touched their lives.
The writing is at times warm, surprising, and uplifting. At other times, the words take you on a melancholy journey.
List of Some Poems
“No Profit for Prophet” by Claire Conroy on Basquiat
“Bread, Drugs, and Rock and Roll” by Dawn Levitt on Kurt Cobain
“On the Process of Metamorphosis” by Rhonda Melanson on Brian Jones
“Bee [Side], for Amy” by Alison Lubar on Amy Winehouse
“Your Sorrow Showed” by Mark Alan on Pete Ham

List of Artists in Lost at 27

Alexandra, Jean-Michel Basquait, Chris Bell, Jesse Belvin, Jonathan Brandis, Rupert Brooke, Chamkila, Louis Chauvin, Kurt Cobain, Richey Edwards, Myrtle Gonzalez, Malcolm Hale, Pete Ham, Leslie Harvey, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Johnson, Brian Jones, Linda Jones, Janis Joplin, Benjamin Keough, Kim Jong-Hyun, Alexandre Levy, Rudy Lewis, MC Duda do Marapé, Ron McKernan, Joseph Merrick, Jacob Miller, Jim Morrison, Chance Perdomo, Kristen Pfaff, Gary Thain, Thuy Trang, Alan Wilson, Amy Winehouse, Anton Yelchin, Mia Zapata

List of Poets

Mark Alan (Oehler), Elisha Alladina, Katherine Bancroft, Jayden Bird, Walter Biskupski, Michael Brockley, Faith Canright, Claire Conroy, Noopur Vedajna Das, Peter Devonald. Sandra Fortier, Kathy Gerstorff, Gabby Gilliam, Bri Goulston, Johanna Haas, Trish Hopinskon, JD Jentri, Tim Kahl, Jennifer Schomberg Kanke, Alshaad Kanke, Janet Knuth, Tonny Kyule, D.L. Lang, Dawn Levitt, Alison Lubar, Mary Mahlstadt, Sara Mayo, Mona Mehas, Rhonda Melanson, Timi Miner, Davion Moore, Ngo Binh Anh Koa, Adriana Rocha, Darleen Marie Muhly Simkins, Adrienne Stevenson, Kelly Taylor, Laura Theis, Rebecca Titchner, Carol Wean, Lynn White, Kery Winderman,