The 27 Club is made up of musicians who died at the age of 27 years. It was reportedly coined by Kurt Cobain’s mother after his death, “Now he’s gone and joined that stupid club. I told him not to join that stupid club.”

Other members of the club include Jimmy Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, and Amy Winehouse. It is these musicians that the 27 Club musical pay homage to at the Adelaide Fringe.

Kevin Mitchell of Jebidiah and Sarah McLeod of The Superjesus are joined by Adelaide musicians Carla Lippis and Dusty Lee Stephenson to bring to life the stories and songs of this group of music legends. Despite their everlasting musical success, most of this group had difficult, sad, and poor upbringings, with varying degrees of addiction.

The songs are bought to life in a unique way, so rather than simply mimicking the music, the songs have a new life. The stage is set up such that a coffee arrangement is on the side of the stage, which allows each performer to shine, while the others relax and watch.

The producer and director Zac Tyler has done a fantastic job in bringing together the musicians, backing band and visuals to recreate the feeling of the times.

American blues musician Howard Winston opens proceedings with some covers of Robert Johnson’s music to set the scene before Dusty Lee opens. From there it’s a smorgasbord of songs such as “Cry Baby”, “Break on Through”, “Foxey Lady”, “Rehab” and much more.

While we can mourn their sad lives, we can celebrate the incredible legacy these artists have left behind. This performance, now in its fourth year at the Fringe, does justice to that legend.