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The white lighter or white lighter curse is an urban legend based on the 27 Club in which it is claimed several musicians and artists died while in possession of a white disposable cigarette lighter, leading such items to become associated with bad fortune.[1][2] The myth is primarily based on the deaths of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, and Kurt Cobain.[3][4] The myth has been integrated with cannabis culture.[5]
In 2017, Snopes.com published an article discrediting the theory, noting that Bic did not begin producing white disposable lighters until 1973, several years after the deaths of members of the 27 Club (including Hendrix, Joplin, and Morrison) and that disposable lighters produced by other companies were not widely available at that time.[6]
- ^ La Jackson (28 November 2014). Musicology 2102: A Quick Start Guide to Diverse Synergies. L.A. Jackson. pp. 144–. ISBN 978-0-578-15469-5.
- ^ "15 Craziest Urban Legends of Rock and Roll". MSN. 2015-03-20. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
- ^ Lauren Martin (17 October 2013). "Stoner History 101: The Myth Of The White Lighter". Elite Daily. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
- ^ Chelsea Beeler (2013-01-30). "MythPuffers: The Curse Of The White Lighter". NYU Local. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
- ^ M.H. Kent (2014-04-14). "20-year anniversary marks Cobain's tragedy". State Press. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
- ^ Evon, Dan (January 2, 2017). "Did Several Musicians Die with White BIC Lighters in Their Pockets?". Snopes. Retrieved 10 October 2018.