Rodriguez occupies the Friday slot instead of Phi, so there is a fair chance that there is something going on in the puzzle apart from just clues and entries.
Today, 23rd July, is the tenth anniversary of the death of AMY WINEHOUSE (1983-2011), English singer and songwriter. AMY WINEHOUSE is the entry at 7 down / 26 across and she is joined in the grid by four other singers who also died at the age of 27.
Their deaths are associated with the 27 CLUB. Rolling Stone magazine tells us that "the 27 CLUB has become one of the most elusive and remarkably tragic coincidences in rock & roll history. The term became widely known after KURT COBAIN’s (11 across / 2 down) death in 1994, with rock fans connecting his age to that of JIM MORRISON (21 across), JANIS JOPLIN (1 down) Brian Jones and JIMI HENDRIX (13 across) – though it was notable to fans in the early 1970s when those four visionaries died within just two years of each other. When AMY WINEHOUSE passed away at age 27 in 2011, it attracted even more attention to the significance of the age. While the club has been largely connected to musicians, it has expanded since, as many young actors and artists have lost their lives due to everything from addiction to suicide to freak accidents". You can find out a lot more about the 27 CLUB online.
When I first read through the clues I was perplexed by the repeated phrase "one in the last across answer", but the meaning became clear following a bit of research into the names JANIS JOPLIN and AMY WINEHOUSE after I solved their clues. The last across clue number is 27 and the answer is CLUB, clued as a quadruple definition.
I expect you could come up with a 31 Club or a 37 Club or just about any number Club if you did a study of age of deaths of musicians, artists, actors etc, but it is clear that the 27 CLUB is the one that has attracted attention with the conspiracy theorists suggesting that some ‘members’ deliberately took their own lives at the age of 27 so that they would be remembered as part of the CLUB.
The first member I solved was JANIS JOPLIN from the New Year’s Day JAN 1 part.
I am not entirely sure about my parsing of ESTATES for the entry at 18 across where I have taken Georgia as a State of Country of Easter Europe and Virginia as a US State on the eastern side of the country.
I think Rodriguez did well to fill the grid with fairly well known words of phrase given the restrictions imposed by the letters in the thematic entries including a B, 3 Js, K, W and Y. There was, though, one bit of word play that was new to me. I have never come across the JIMSON weed before.
| No | Detail |
| Across | |
| 6 |
Captain I see heading for boat (4) AHAB (reference Captain AHAB, a fictional character and one of the main protagonists in Herman Melville’s novel Moby Dick [1851]) AHA (reference an AHA moment, the instant at which the solution to a problem becomes clear; I see) + B (first letter of [heading for] BOAT) AHA B |
| 8 |
Will writer walk the streets with soldiers? (9) SOLICITOR (a lawyer who can write wills) SOLICIT (a prostitute may walk the street to seek or SOLICIT clients) + OR (other ranks; soldiers) SOLICIT OR |
| 9 |
Any fierce bats could be aggressive (2-3-4) IN-YER-FACE (aggressive; direct and provocative) Anagram of (bats) ANY FIERCE IN–YER–FACE* |
| 11/2 |
Truck moving port round isle, one in the whole last across answer … (4,6) KURT COBAIN (reference KURT COBAIN [1967-1974], lead singer of the band Nirvana who took his own life at the age of 27 thereby being considered a member of the 27 CLUB [the last across clue is 27 and the entry is CLUB] Anagram of (moving) TRUCK + (OBAN [port town on the west coast of Scotland] containing [round] I [isle]) KURT C* OBA (I) N |
| 13 |
… and another has joint I hinder rolling, tucking into cocktail (4,7) JIMI HENDRIX (reference JIMI HENDRIX [1942-1970], American musician, singer, and songwriter who died from barbiturate-related asphyxia at the age of 27, thereby being considered as a member of the 27 CLUB [see above]) J (joint of marijuana) + I + (an anagram of [rolling] HINDER contained in [tucking into] MIX [cocktail]) J I MI [HENDRI*) X |
| 15 |
Bread from Romania or even places in Algeria (3) LEI (Romanian currency [money; bread]) LEI (letters 2,4 and 6 [even places] in ALGERIA) LEI |
| 16 |
When to do a Masters with German letters here (7) POSTBAG (a sack where letters in the mail may be stored) POST (after) + BA (Bachelor of Arts) + G A Masters degree is usually taken after a first Bachelor degree in many, but not all universities. My own first degree was a four year MA at a Scottish university. POST BA G |
| 18 |
Cars from Georgia and Virginia, say? (7) ESTATES (models of cars designed to carry passengers and goods with large storage space behind the rear seats) E (Eastern) + STATES (Georgia is an Eastern European Country or State. Virginia is a State on the eastern side of the United States.) E STATES |
| 20 |
Inclination of Eastender having a complaint (3) ILL (suffering from a medical condition; having a complaint) ILL (An Eastender would pronounce HILL [inclination] as ‘ILL) ILL I did also wonder if ILL could be looked as I’LL or I WILL [having an intention or inclination to do something]) |
| 21 |
Kind of dance mostly inspired by type of weed, one in the whole last across answer (3,8) JIM MORRISON (reference JIM MORRISON [1943-1971], American singer, musician, songwriter and poet, who was the lead vocalist of the rock band The Doors. MORRISON died of unknown causes at the age of 27 thereby qualifying for membership of the 27 CLUB [see above]) MORRIS (type of English fold dance) excluding the final letter S (mostly) contained in (inspired by) JIMSON (reference JIMSON weed [the thorn apple, a poisonous plant]) JIM (MORRI) SON |
| 23 |
Take a lead role in performing arts (4) STAR (performer who takes the leading role) Anagram of (performing) ARTS STAR* |
| 24 |
Overly tough, extremely firm doctor’s fine implement (9) TOOTHCOMB (a fine implement for arranging hair for example) TOO (overly) + TH (outer letters of [extremely] TOUGH) + CO (company; firm) + MB (Bachelor of Medicine; doctor) TOO TH CO MB |
| 26 |
See 7 Down WINEHOUSE See wordplay at 7 Down below |
| 27 |
Staff suit beat music venue (4) CLUB (stick; staff) CLUB (suit in a deck of cards) CLUB (beat) CLUB (music venue) quadruple definition CLUB |
| Down | |
| 1 |
Rag merchant after New Year’s Day’s one in the whole last across answer (5,6) JANIS JOPLIN (reference JANIS JOPLIN [1943-1970], American singer-songwriter who sang rock, soul and blues music. She died of an accidental heroin overdose at the age of 27 thereby being considered as a member of the 27 CLUB [see above]) JAN I (1st January, New Year’s Day) + S JOPLIN (reference Scott Joplin [1868-1917], American composer and pianist who achieved fame for his ragtime compositions; rag merchant) JAN I S JOPLIN |
| 2 |
See 11 Across COBAIN See wordplay at 11 across above |
| 3 |
Long peg is about right for bit of wood (4,4) PINE TREE (piece of wood [and leaves and cones]) PINE (long) + (TEE [peg] containing [about] R [right]) PINE T (R) EE |
| 4 |
Pluck guitar in US, ground-breaking device there (4-2) PICK-AX (American [US] spelling of PICK-AXE [tool, with a point at one end of the head and a cutting blade at the other, used in digging]) PICK (pluck a guitar string) + AX (informal term [US spelling] for a guitar) PICK–AX |
| 5 |
Rock group eating dish where names are shown (10) DOORPLATES (names of occupants are shown on these) DOORS (American rock band. This indicates a continuation of the theme as the band was fronted by JIM MORRISON [entry at 21 across]) containing (eating) PLATE (dish) DOOR (PLATE) S |
| 7/26 |
A drink in place where I live for one in the whole last across answer (3,9) AMY WINEHOUSE (reference AMY WINEHOUSE [1983-2011], English singer songwriter, who died of alcohol poisoning at the age of 27, thereby being considered as a member of the 27 CLUB [see above]) A + (WINE [drink] contained in [in] [MY + HOUSE {where I live}]) A MY (WINE) HOUSE |
| 10 |
Man in pub backing recovery (5) REHAB (REHABilitation; recovery) (HE ([descriptive of a man] contained in [in] BAR [pub]) all reversed (backing) (R (EH) AB)< |
| 12 |
The thing’s carried by group on sledges in little pieces (4,3,4) BITS AND BOBS (odds and ends; little pieces of something) IT’S (the thing’s) contained in (carried by) (BAND [group] + [on; down entry] BOBS [BOBsleighS; sledges]) B (ITS) AND BOBS |
| 14 |
Chose limit that’s variable in old age (10) MESOLITHIC (Old World archaeological period; old age) Anagram of (that’s variable) CHOSE LIMIT MESOLITHIC* |
| 17 |
Politician in middle, one running initiative (8) GUMPTION (enterprise; initiative) (MP [Member of Parliament; politician] contained in [in] GUT [middle]) + I (Roman numeral for one] + ON (working; running) GU (MP) T I ON |
| 18 |
Desert Orchid’s kept light (5) TORCH (light) TORCH (hidden word in [kept] DESERT ORCHID) TORCH |
| 21 |
Top which may be lower (6) JERSEY (item of clothing worn above the waist; top) JERSEY (cow, an animal that lows; lower) double definition JERSEY |
| 22 |
Player this person dressed in new boots (6) OBOIST (player of an OBOE) I (myself; this person) contained in (dressed in) an anagram of (new) BOOTS OBO (I) ST* |
| 25 |
Painting of Manx cat turned up (3) OIL (painting) LION (bat) excluding it’s tail letter N (like a Manx cat) and then reversed (turned up) OIL< |
The US state of Georgia also has an Atlantic coastline so it could be that both references for E STATES are to Eastern US states.
What a tour de force! My thoughts pretty much exactly mirror those of Duncan even down to JANIS JOPLIN being the first club member that I entered as well as not knowing JIMSON.
For 18d I assumed that Georgia also referred to the US State of that ilk as it is on the East Coast of America.
All five club members were very inventively clued and in addition to those I had a long list of ticked clues: SOLICITOR, POSTBAG, CLUB, GUMPTION and, probably my favoruite, PICK-AX.
Many thanks to Rodriguez, this was a lot of fun, and thanks too to Duncan for such a comprehensive review.
Although I enjoyed this, I thought it fell short of previous efforts. The problem with puzzles themed in this manner is that, for some (such as me in this case), the theme is well known and several answers (all the themed entries) were write-ins with a little thought then needed to parse them. For others, where the theme is not known, the use of so many names may have jade it a bit of a slog.
Jimson weed was something I knew but looked it up to check. Didn’t know it comes from Jamestown so I learned something there.
A very well-clued themed puzzle. JIM and AMI were first so theme obvious as I had 27 as CLUB
but that didnt stop the party for me
Very enjoyable if poignant trip into the past
Thanks Rod
I enjoyed this very much – especially as the club members revealed themselves
Thanks to Rodriguez and Duncan
Not being a fan of rock music, it took me a while to twig the theme, after searching online* for a link between Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin, and then like Hovis @3 it became something of a write-in. Despite which, most enjoyable, and congratulations to Rodriguez on fitting in so many themed answers. And thanks Duncan for the very comprehensive blog.
* Incidentally, I learned during this process that there’s a well-known graffito in Tel-Aviv showing all five of the themed members plus Brian Jones and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Great idea. If I had heard of the 27 club I had forgotten about it and didn’t even look at 27 until the end so no write-ins. Loved the clue for SOLICITOR.
I wonder if ‘Cross bears hinder mad axeman (7)’ is by the same setter?
Thanks Rodriguez, Duncan
Thanks Rodriguez and DS
There’s another thematic link, as REHAB is one of Amy Winehouse’s best-known songs.
Completely lost on me as I’d never heard of the 27 club and the repeated references to ‘one in the whole last across answer’ meant absolutely nothing. Just as well that other solvers and our reviewer were on the ball!
My top three came from outside of the theme – POSTBAG, ESTATES & GUMPTION.
Thanks to Rodriguez and to Duncan for the review and explanations – what a sad waste of young lives.
Well REHAB was my first one in, followed by AMY WINEHOUSE (which is actually quite a good clue, in my opinion).
So it was clear what it was all about today.
[although, at first I thought it might be just about Amy]
I enjoyed the crossword but had a similar feeling as Hovis @3.
Sort of ‘over all too quickly’ with only the non-thematics 4dn (PICK-AX) and 8ac (SOLICITOR) really holding me up.
And I particularly liked the simple but elegant clues at 15ac and 21dn.
By the way, I seem to remember that years ago, at the other place, Philistine wrote a puzzle around the 27 Club.
Many thanks to Duncan & Rodriguez.
Sil @ 10: It was 26376 in September 2014, and also featured Joplin, Hendrix, Cobain & Winehouse.
Well, we guessed that there must be a date-related theme and, not having heard of the 27 club, initially wondered if it was anything to do with the Olympics; from the clue 1dn obviously began with a J – could the top unches have ‘Japan’ as part of a nina? And then there was TORCH at 18dn. But it was soon obvious that that idea was dead in the water.
So then we struggled for a bit but eventually worked out 7/26, closely followed by 1dn. 11/2 came from crossing letters, as did 13ac and we knew of the weed so managed to work out 21ac. We realised there was some sort of a “club” linking them but needed the blog to see exactly what the connection was.
Favourites, as usual, were non-thematic: POSTBAG and MESOLITHIC.
Thanks, Rodruigez and Duncan.
Realised pretty quickly that there must be a theme. As the answers went in my enjoyment of finding solutions lessened. Themes are often centred round anniversaries. However compiling crosswords and solving them are done for entertainment. All these musicians died prematurely and in sad circumstances. Here they and their tragic lives have been used for pleasure obtained by intellectual exercise. Hopefully Rodriguez and the editor have never lost anyone close to them in such a way.
It soon became obvious 27ac was vital to the solve.. could be argued it’s a quintuple def as CLUB describes a genre of dance music.. either way the setter wanted to make sure we knew it was a club… ! JIM MORRISON was the first name that went in, prompting a Google which yielded the rest… I somehow preferred the non-themed clues of which 4dn n 12dn were my faves…
Thanks Rodriguez n duncansheill
27ac was my first one in but that didn’t suggest the theme to me. Pop music is not my strong suit but I had heard of the 27 club and getting JIM MORRISON triggered a memory. Much to my surprise, I’d heard of all the musicians involved.
16ac was my LOI, not helped by my making a mistake entering 14dn.
Seeing one late music star and the reference to 27 rang bells and then realised the death at 27 getting a second member of the club rather gave it away. I believe it’s 10 years to the day winehouse drank too much with too many inadvisable substances
Not sure that was all there is – tonight BBC2 screened Reclaiming Amy, a film narrated by Amy’s mother who has MS and really wanted to tell her story before she has to go too. Funny to see how many solvers here had to Google things – even Newsnight reported on it last night and had a studio discussion about Amy Winehouse’s importance to the world of music..
[by the way, I never really liked her music – too much jazz, actually]