Winner of the Best Music Award at Adelaide Fringe and featuring music and lore from Joplin, Winehouse, Cobain, Morrison and Hendrix, this must-see live rock-umentary will get you praying to the rock gods for more. Saluting the members of the 27 Club are some of Australia’s top rock icons and musicians. We sat down Creator, Producer and Director of 27 Club, Zac Tyler.
What drew you to tell the story of these legends—not just through their music, but through the myth that surrounds them?
I was always aware of 27 Club ever since Kurt Cobain’s death in 1994. I was 11 at that point, so I was pretty young…but I was reminded of the 27 Club and its members in 2011 when Amy Winehouse passed away. I then had the idea for the show in August 2013. Originally, I was drawn to the story of these artists as a way to educate youth about suicide and drugs and alcohol…but the show very quickly turned into a mainstage show as it has such broad appeal with music from 1970’s through to 2010’s.
I have never been too focussed on the myths that surround these artists. Robert Johnson yes, as the story of him selling his soul to the devil is meant to be the catalyst for the whole thing…but really I have been focussed on what they achieved by the age of 27 and the music they have left behind.
How does the show balance celebrating these artists’ brilliance and legacy with the weight of the tragedy that links them?
We certainly acknowledge the tragedy, but we don’t dwell on it. We deliver some of the facts we know about their deaths, but we mainly share stories of their lives. Although their deaths were tragic and they left us way too young, they also left us with amazing music and words to live by. Their music inspired social change, and still is the soundtrack to so many people’s lives…we aim to honour that and let audiences bring their own relationships with these artists and their music to the show.
How do you approach performing these songs not just as covers, but as acts of resurrection?
There are some songs that we felt we wanted to deliver faithfully, and there are others that in their DNA we felt we could play with more. As a group, but under the guidance of our musical director Dusty, we all brought ideas to the table, but very organically arrangements came together. We don’t mimic or replicate any original performances we look at the songs at their core and then work out what arrangement works best for our lead singers in the show and then work on our version that feels authentic to both the original intention of the song, but also what that song needs to do as part of our show. Casting also comes into play with this. The amazing artists have been chosen very carefully as they bring an energy and experience that feels authentic to this music. It’s the mix of all of these things, and more, which separates this show from a cover band at your local.
In a world obsessed with youth and fame, what do you think the 27 Club still has to teach us?
I think it teaches us that fame can be dangerous. It’s a lot to handle and sometimes people turn to some dark options to get through it. I think these artists weren’t chasing fame, they were chasing a way to express themselves and their art, fame was a by-product. I think 27 Club can remind us to appreciate the gift that is growing old. These artists didn’t get that opportunity, and it’s something to be celebrated…I’m not sure why people chase their youth, as life should only get better.
What happens to artists who burn too brightly—and why are we still captivated by the glow?
There certainly are people in this world that have something special, and burn bright…but they can also experience burn out. With the highs comes the lows…and how you manage both of those extremes will determine your future and longevity. We are fascinated by these people as we have so much access to them these days. We love the drama and take the ride with them if we so choose. Having worked with many artists over the years, their egos and self worth can be fragile and needs to be nurtured and supported. I hope artists who are burning bright have great people around them, as it certainly takes a team for one person to shine.
Catch 27 Club at Assembly Rooms, Music Hall 31 Jul – 24 Aug, 20:35.