There have been several celebrities who have died at the young age of 27 & who have joined the “27 Club”, including one notable celebrity from El Paso, Texas. While it’s most known for having famous musicians (like Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix), the “27 Club” expands to any famous celebrity who died at the age of 27. And sadly some celebrities born from Texas & Arizona are on that list. Some have sadly met their ends in Texas & Arizona…

Jesse Belvin (December 15, 1932 – February 6, 1960)

The first Texan to join the 27 Club was Jesse Belvin, born in San Antonio, Texas. The singer was popular in the 50’s thanks to his huge hit, “Earth Angel” for The Penguins. Another huge hit of his was “Goodnight My Love“, which reached #7 on the Billboard’s R&B Charts.

Jesse’s life came to a tragic ending when his car spun off the road after a concert in Little Rock, Arkansas. Jesse, his wife Jo-Ann & his driver were killed in the accident. To this day, there’s still controversy over whether or not someone tampered with his brakes after the concert. And to this day…he’s still regarded as a legend.

Wallace “Wally” Yohn (January 12, 1947 – August 9, 1974)

Born in Maricopa County, Arizona, Wallace “Wally” Yohn was born on January 12, 1947. He’s known for being the organ player of the jazz band, Chase. Wally died on August 9, 1974 when the plane that he, band leader Bill Chase & the rest of his bandmates crashed while traveling to a gig in Jackson County, Minnesota.

Fat Pat (December 4, 1970 – February 3, 1998)

Born in Houston, Texas, Patrick Lamark Hawkins (Fat Pat), made a name for himself by being a member of DEA (Dead End Alliance) in the Houston hip-hop scene.

Fat Pat would be shot dead after a show while trying to collect payment from the concert promoter. His death remains unsolved and sadly he’s not the only Texas musician to be murdered in cold blood…

Jeremy Ward (May 5, 1976 – May 25, 2003)

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Jeremy Michael Ward was best known for being associated in El Paso for his work with such local bands like At The Drive-In, De Facto, & The Mars Volta.

Jeremy passed away from an apparent heroin overdose in Los Angeles on May 25, just one month before the band’s debut album, De-Loused in the Comatorium, was released. Amazing there IS footage of Jeremy’s last show he did with the Mars Volta. And yes… we CAN watch it.

Sahara Davenport (December 17, 1984 – October 1, 2012)

Born in Dallas, Texas, Antoine Ashley is better known by her stage name, Sahara Davenport. Fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race will remember Sahara for her appearance on Season 2.

Sahara would pass away from heart failure on October 1, 2012 at John Hopkins Hospital in Balitmore, Maryland. To quote RuPaul: “Even through adversity, or death, love and energy live on forever”…

Sadly these 27 Club members have either died in Arizona & Texas

Funk musician Arlester “Dyke” Christian, who played bass for The O’Jays, died in Phoenix, Arizona on March 13, 1971 when he was shot & killed on the street.

The punk musicians Dennes Dale Boon (aka D. Boon of the Minutemen) died in Centennial, Arizona in a van accident. D. Boon was thrown out the back & died from a broken neck. D. Boon died on December 22, 1985.

And Tyler Skaggs, longtime pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks & Los Angeles Angels, died in Southlake, Texas due to an overdose of oxycodone pills. Tyler died on July 1, 2019. Eric Kays, who worked with the Angels, was sentenced to 22 years in prison after giving Tyler the pills that lead to his death.

R.I.P. to EVERY member of the 27 Club… may your legacies never be forgotten.