Genres: RockJim Morrison is considered of the greatest singer songwriters with a dangerous poetic vision. His messiah rock star image and sexually charged stage performances has seen him become a legend. The band’s bluesy music is the perfect foil for the singer’s stage persona and cinematic imagery.
The Doors – The Doors Of Perception
“If my poetry aims to achieve anything, it's to deliver people from the limited ways in which they see and feel.”
The Lizard King and his Band
Jim Morrison is considered of the greatest singer songwriters with a dangerous poetic vision. His messiah rock star image and sexually charged stage performances has seen him become a legend. The band’s bluesy music is the perfect foil for the singer’s stage persona and cinematic imagery. The band were inducted into the Rock N’ Roll hall of fame in 1993. They have sold over 70 million albums worldwide and inspired many rock bands. Jim Morrison remains one of rock music’s greatest frontman
The Band Formation
The band was formed during UCLA film school students Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek got together to start a band. They added drummer John Densmore and guitar player Robbie Krieger which completed the line up in 1965.
They became the house band at the prestigious Whiskey A Go Go and were signed by Elektra Records. The band started recording their debut album in LA. Releasing it in 1967 the self titled debut album “The Doors”, peaked at No.2 on the Billboard album charts. The singles “Break On Through (The Other Side) and “Light My Fire” were massive hits along with “Alabama Song”. The album has sold nearly 10 million copies world wide.
Their controversial television performances ensured widespread attention; they released “Strange Days” September of that year which a platinum hit and peaked at No.3
The Messiah
Jim Morrison was arrested in 1967 at a concert which fuelled even more interest in the band. They released their third album “Waiting for the Sun” which was their first US No.1 But by now Morrison’s heroin and alcohol addiction was spiraling out of control. They went on their first international tour playing in the UK and Europe.
The album “The Soft Parade” in 1969 seemed to be misguided attempt at pop music. They continued touring amid massive hysteria about the unpredictable Jim Morrison. The album “Morrison Hotel” in 1970 was a platinum hit featuring The Doors classic “Roadhouse Blues” and the customary Morrison growl. “LA Woman” in 1971 was another massive hit which featured the jazzy “Riders on the Storm”. This would be the last recording with the band as Jim Morrison left the band and moved to Paris with his girlfriend. Drinking heavily and using drugs Morrison died of an apparent overdose in July 1971 at the age of 27.
The remaining members continued to release a few more albums including “American Prayer” which featured music to spoken words by Jim Morrison. The band disbanded shortly.
Did You Know: Actor Val Kilmer played Jim Morrison in the movie based on the band directed by Oliver Stone
Did You Know: The name of the band was taken from the William Blake poem called “The Marriage of Heaven and Hell”
Did You Know: The Doors signature song “Light My Fire” has been covered by many diverse artists over the years include tip hop band Massive Attack, Nancy Sinatra, soul legend Stevie Wonder and reggae band UB40