Chez '27' Trivia Quiz

Answer: Jimi Hendrix

Although James Marshall 'Jimi' Hendrix (1942-1970) had a short mainstream career (around four years), he was still one of the most influential musicians in history. He died in London from an overdose of barbiturates, so we can never know what could have been.

He achieved fame in the United States after the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. His last studio album, "Electric Ladyland" in 1968, was his only album to reach number one. In 1969 Jimi was the world's highest paid performer when he headlined Woodstock, and he is often rated as the greatest guitarist of all time.

As for the other choices: Vaughn died at 36 in a helicopter crash, Tupac was shot at 25; Big Joe died of heart failure.

Answer: Brian Jones

Brian Jones (1942-1969) was found motionless at the bottom of his swimming pool at Cotchford Farm in East Sussex, England on July 3, 1969, at the age of 27. Jones was the founder and original leader of the Rolling Stones. He created the unique sound of the band by using folk instruments like the sitar and marimba. Imagine the Maroon 5 song as "Moves Like Jones"?
The other choices also died young, i.e., Duane Allman at 24 in a motorcycle crash, Otis Redding at 26 in a plane crash, and Keith Moon (of The Who) died from an overdose at the age of 32.

Answer: Robert Johnson

Growing up in Mississippi, Robert Johnson (1911-1938) watched Son House, Willie Brown and Charlie Patton play, and he tried to play guitar during their breaks. Some years later he had acquired such great skill in such a short time, it was rumored that he sold his soul to the devil. Johnson had a great impact on the blues, with an influence on such greats as Muddy Waters and Eric Clapton.

Some of the tunes that made Robert Johnson a legend are: "Crossroads", "Walkin' Blues", "Me and the Devil Blues" and "Come On in My Kitchen".

Answer: Ron McKernan

While all the choices played for The Grateful Dead, Ron Charles "Pigpen" McKernan (1945-1973) was a founding member of the San Francisco band, and was with them from 1965 to 1972. Among the best of the 'Pigpen' era was the 1969 song "Turn on Your Love Light" from the album "Live/Dead".

The recording was 15 minutes long, but when the band played it at Woodstock, it reportedly lasted 45 minutes. The next year they had another hit called "Easy Wind" from "Workingman's Dead". Ron was diagnosed with congenital biliary cirrhosis in 1972, and was found dead in his home the following year.

Answer: Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse (1983-2011) sang soul, rhythm and blues, and jazz, and had a style all her own. Her 2006 album "Back to Black" led to five Grammy Awards, tying the then record for "most wins by a female artist in a single night". The record has subsequently been surpassed by both Beyonce and Adele (each with six). Amy died at 27 from alcohol poisoning.

Her life and career were featured in an acclaimed July 2015 documentary called (appropriately) "Amy". The other choices also died too young, i.e., Aaliyah died in a plane crash at 22; Linda Jones went into a diabetic coma at 28, and Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes from TLC was killed in a car crash at the age of 30.

Answer: Hole

Our next club member, Kristin Pfaff (1967-1994) played bass for the alternative rock band Hole from 1993-1994, with Courtney Love as lead singer. Hole became one of the best female-fronted bands of all time. Hole's hit album "Live Through This" was released in 1994. Prior to her short tenure with Hole, Kristin played bass and was the back-up vocalist for a Minneapolis group called Janitor Joe.

She died of an overdose on June 16, 1994.

Answer: Big Star

Chris Bell (1951-1978) was a songwriter and guitarist from Memphis, Tennessee. He and Alex Chilton led Big Star to its first well-received album called "#1 Record" in 1972. In the mid-1970s he went on to a solo career with his album "I Am the Cosmos", which was released posthumously. During his lifetime he dealt with alcohol and drug problems, had periods of depression and later became interested in Christian spirituality. One night, on his way home from a band rehearsal, Chris' sports car hit a wooden pole which fell on him and killed him instantly.

Answer: Paris, France

Jim Morrison (1943-1971) was a singer, songwriter and poet. He was born in Melbourne, Florida, and studied film at UCLA where he met other members of the group that would become known as The Doors. Jim was known for his drinking and drug use and was arrested on December 9, 1967 for his inappropriate behavior on stage at a concert in New Haven, Connecticut.

He later moved to Paris, France to write poetry. He was found dead in a Paris bathtub where he died of heart failure. Morrison is buried in the Pere Lachaise Cemetery which is the largest cemetery in Paris.

Some of his 'neighbors' include great artists like Balzac, Bellini, Bizet and Bernhardt.

Answer: suicide

Pete Ham (1947-1975) was born in Wales and went on to become a composer and lead singer for the band Badfinger. He was responsible for the group's hit songs in the early 1970s which included "No Matter What" from the 1970 album "No Dice", and "Day After Day" and "Baby Blue" from "Straight Up" in 1971.

In 1975 Ham became depressed with label issues, manager problems and a lack of money. He committed suicide by hanging on April 24, 1975. There is a commemorating blue plaque in his honor in his hometown of Swansea, Wales, listing him as the "Master of Melody".

Answer: Echo and the Bunnymen

All of the choices above had a member of the "club" in their bands. Alan Wilson from Canned Heat, D. Boon from Minutemen and Richey Edwards from Manic Street Preachers all died at the age of 27; but the band for which Pete de Freitas (1961-1989) was the drummer was Echo and the Bunnymen. Pete performed on the group's first five albums, i.e., their debut album "Crocodiles", "Heaven Up Here" (1981), "Porcupine" (1983), "Ocean Rain" (1984) and "Echo and the Bunnymen" in 1987.

In 1989 de Freitas was killed in a motorcycle accident, allowing him entry into this exclusive club to which no one wants to belong.