Forever 27

Rockers who died at the same age

Did fate play a role in the deaths of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain at age 27? Did they share something in common astrologically that would account for their meteoric rise to fame, only to have death take it all away in their twenty-eighth year? Let's take a look at the charts of these talented-yet-troubled rock musicians, and see what the stars say about their destinies.

There is definitely something fateful about dying just before your Saturn Return. This karmic turning point happens to everyone, between the ages of 28 and 30 - when transiting Saturn conjuncts your natal Saturn. It's a wake-up call to maturity, when the escapades of youth fall away and the responsibilities of work and family become a priority - for many of us, at least. But Hendrix, Joplin, Morrison and Cobain never got to experience this challenging but stabilizing influence, which would have enabled them to enter new phases in their lives.

First, let's take a look at '60s superstars Hendrix and Joplin, who were born two months apart and died within three weeks of each other - and Morrison, who died nine months later.

Jimi Hendrix (November 27, 1942 - September 18, 1970)
One of the most influential guitarists of all time, Hendrix had Sun, Mercury, Venus and Ascendant in fiery Sagittarius, which inspired his innovative riffs. He was adventurous, impulsive and sometimes hot-tempered. As was typical in the 1960s rock scene, he dabbled in drugs, and was a heavy drinker. Hendrix died in London from asphyxiation after vomiting alcohol in his sleep.

The most compelling influence in his chart, and probably the one responsible for shortening his life, was a Uranus-Saturn conjunction in Gemini that opposed his Sagittarius placements. Uranus made him a musical genius, and a free spirit. Conversely, Saturn challenged his self-esteem, an issue that was made worse during an extremely unstable upbringing. Because Saturn is karma and limitation, and Uranus is the planet of precocity, this influence suggested that he was destined to fulfill his karma within a very short period of time.

Janis Joplin (January 19, 1943 - October 4, 1970)
Joplin may have been an earthy Capricorn, but she was a rebellious Aquarius at heart - with Mercury, Venus and Ascendant in that charismatic sign. She was brilliant and unconventional, which made her feel like an outcast, at least in her early years.

Like Hendrix, Joplin had Uranus conjunct Saturn, but the harmonious aspects to her Aquarius placements made it a positive influence for her. Still, the danger of having Aquarius so strong in the chart is the burnout that follows the flash of brilliance. Aquarius rules electricity, after all. But undoubtedly the most dangerous influence in her chart was Pluto: the planet of death and destruction opposed her Sun, Mercury and Venus, intensifying her creativity but giving her a self-destructive side as well. Her karma was to share her genius, but only for a short time.

Interestingly, Hendrix, Joplin and Cobain had Moon and Jupiter in Cancer, which made them emotionally impressionable, and magnets for publicity. The Moon rules family, and all three musicians were unusually sensitive to family upheaval.

Jim Morrison (December 8, 1943 - July 3, 1971)
The charismatic singer/songwriter for The Doors was a fiery Sagittarius, like Hendrix. He had Moon in Taurus, which heightened his artistry and gave him an enticing sensuality. Venus in Scorpio intensified his sex appeal. It also aggravated his philandering nature, which complicated his stormy relationship with longtime girlfriend Pamela Courson.

But the main focus of his chart was eerily similar to Hendrix's. Like the legendary guitarist, Morrison's Sun was afflicted by rebellious Uranus and limiting Saturn, both in Gemini - making him a shooting star that blinked out all too quickly. What's more, Mars in Gemini opposed his Sun as well, giving him a willful streak and a fondness for danger. Morrison was a rule-breaker, and a bohemian. The Gemini influences, along with a strong Uranus, made him a gifted poet.

Morrison died in a bathtub in a Paris apartment. Because no foul play was suspected, French authorities didn't order an autopsy, so the cause of death remains undetermined. According to Courson, however, he died of an overdose after snorting some heroin that he thought was cocaine.

Kurt Cobain (February 20, 1967 - April 5, 1994)
Cobain is a different story altogether. The lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for rock band Nirvana had a whopping eight placements in Water signs. With Sun, Mercury, Venus and Saturn in Pisces; Moon and Jupiter in Cancer; and Mars and Neptune in Scorpio, he was extremely sensitive and prone to despair. He was also quite psychic, and undoubtedly picked up on everyone's negativity. Even worse, with not a single Air or Fire placement in his chart, he lacked the ability to analyze and overcome inner and outward obstacles.

Cobain's powerful Pisces influences made him an inspired musician. The downside of Pisces, however, is the need to escape. Cobain sought that escape through drugs for much of his life. Sadly, he couldn't lift himself out of the watery depths of depression and drug addiction. He was found dead in his Seattle home from a shotgun blast - and with a lethal dose of heroin in his system. The heavy hand of Saturn had entered Pisces just six months before his suicide, which dampened his creativity and damaged his self-esteem. But given time, it might have given him some inner strength - which is the gift of Saturn.

Interestingly Brian Jones, the original guitarist of the Rolling Stones, was also a Pisces - and a member of the "27 Club."

In the universal scheme of things, the length of life isn't as important as doing what you were born to do, and being who you were born to be. It's all about fulfilling one's potential for love and creativity, among other things. Which was the destiny of those who will remain Forever 27.