While researchers say the “27 Club”—referring to the number of famous musicians who’ve died at that age—is overblown, musicians really do die younger. According to data compiled from 12,665 music industry deaths since 1950, the average male musical artist lives into his late 50s, while female musicians on average die in their early 60s. (Most American men on average live to be 75 and women to 80.)
“The industry itself actually supports outrageous behavior,” says Dianna Kenny. Drugs are very prevalent—young musicians often take uppers to perform and then party all night with alcohol and drugs.” That means that Young, 68, already has well surpassed the average musical lifespan. There’s no telling what’s keeping The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards (70) going. (Wall Street Journal)
Paul Asay has written for The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Beliefnet.com and The (Colorado Springs) Gazette. He writes about culture for PluggedIn and wrote the Batman book God on the Streets of Gotham (Tyndale). He recently collaborated with Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family, on his book The Good Dad. He lives in Colorado Springs with wife, Wendy, and his two children. Check out his entertainment blog or follow him on Twitter.