In the summertime, I worked outdoors painting houses and had a little tape recorder that our team called "Silver" because it was made by some obscure 1970s Asian electronics company called "Silver." Silver made our tedious work not only endurable but enjoyable. And one of my favorite tapes I'd hear wafting up the high ladder was The Doors' Weird Scenes Inside The Gold Mine. It was a compilation album you couldn't find online for the longest time because of its relatively rare vinyl release. Maybe the homeowners and neighbors didn't love it, but back then we teenagers got away with a lot more than we do now! 
Along with The Moody Blues, Uriah Heep, and others, The Doors were one of the first rock bands that opened me up to the possibilities of 'traveling' without physically going anywhere. They were a 1960s and early 70s group from Los Angeles, California, consisting of Ray Manzarek (keyboards), Robby Krieger (guitar), John Densmore (drums), and lead man Jim Morrison (vocals).
Morrison was one of the bad boys of rock who also had poetic substance, charisma, and exceptional singing ability. The group charted several classic tunes: "Light My Fire," "Hello, I Love You," "L.A. Woman," "Riders on the Storm," and recorded other songs with lasting influence, such as "Break on Through (To the Other Side)," "Love Street," "The Spy," "The End," "Soul Kitchen," and the live epic "Celebration of the Lizard." Their music blended rock, blues, jazz, and psychedelic elements, contributing to their unique and enduring sound.
Morrison is also a recognized poet, and his song lyrics advocate an inner journey to the psychological underworld, urging fans to "break on through to the other side." His lyrics often explored themes of existentialism, rebellion, and the darker aspects of human experience. He was known for his theatrical stage presence and improvisational poetry during live performances.
Jim Morrison's Background and Influences
Morrison was a voracious reader. His influences included poets like Arthur Rimbaud, William Blake, and novelists like Aldous Huxley. The band's name itself comes from Huxley's "The Doors of Perception," which explores the effects of psychedelic drugs. His interest in symbolism and mythology heavily influenced his lyrics. His father was a naval officer, leading to a nomadic childhood. This experience shaped his sense of detachment and rebellion. He attended UCLA film school, which influenced his theatrical stage presence and the visual aspects of the Doors' performances. This theatrical stage presence was a huge part of his "Lizard King" persona, which emerged from his poem "Celebration of the Lizard," representing his shamanistic and primal side.
¹ Jerry Hopkins and Danny Sugerman, No One Here Gets Out Alive, New York: Warner Books, 1980.
Morrison was one of the bad boys of rock who also had poetic substance, charisma, and exceptional singing ability. The group charted several classic tunes: "Light My Fire," "Hello, I Love You," "L.A. Woman," "Riders on the Storm," and recorded other songs with lasting influence, such as "Break on Through (To the Other Side)," "Love Street," "The Spy," "The End," "Soul Kitchen," and the live epic "Celebration of the Lizard." Their music blended rock, blues, jazz, and psychedelic elements, contributing to their unique and enduring sound.
Morrison is also a recognized poet, and his song lyrics advocate an inner journey to the psychological underworld, urging fans to "break on through to the other side." His lyrics often explored themes of existentialism, rebellion, and the darker aspects of human experience. He was known for his theatrical stage presence and improvisational poetry during live performances.
Jim Morrison's Background and Influences
Morrison was a voracious reader. His influences included poets like Arthur Rimbaud, William Blake, and novelists like Aldous Huxley. The band's name itself comes from Huxley's "The Doors of Perception," which explores the effects of psychedelic drugs. His interest in symbolism and mythology heavily influenced his lyrics. His father was a naval officer, leading to a nomadic childhood. This experience shaped his sense of detachment and rebellion. He attended UCLA film school, which influenced his theatrical stage presence and the visual aspects of the Doors' performances. This theatrical stage presence was a huge part of his "Lizard King" persona, which emerged from his poem "Celebration of the Lizard," representing his shamanistic and primal side.
Morrison apparently had a photographic memory. Biographers Danny Sugarman and Jerry Hopkins say that Morrison would ask his friends to open up and tell him the page number of any book in his library. Morrison would then apparently recite from memory all the words on that particular page.¹ If this story is true, it's conceivable that Morrison was remote viewing and not necessarily reading from memory. It is important to note that the veracity of this claim has been debated.
The Doors as a Band
The Doors' unique sound was a blend of rock, blues, jazz, and classical influences. Ray Manzarek's keyboard playing was a defining element. They often experimented with unconventional song structures and extended improvisations. Their live shows were known for Morrison's unpredictable behavior and intense energy. They pushed boundaries and often faced controversy due to Morrison's on-stage antics. The 1969 Miami concert incident, where Morrison was accused of indecent exposure, had a significant impact on their career. Their appearance on the Ed Sullivan show, where Jim Morrison did not change the lyrics to "Light My Fire" as requested, caused them to be banned from the show.
Like the sometimes melancholic and yet spiritually 'touched' Jimi Hendrix, Morrison's drug-induced mysticism ended up in tragedy. He died at age 27 in his Paris apartment bathtub, surrounded by rumors of ongoing substance abuse. The official cause of death was listed as heart failure, but no autopsy was performed, leading to persistent speculation and conspiracy theories about the circumstances of his death.
Post-Morrison Era
Despite Morrison's bad end, his music, personal philosophy, and raw energy still inspire young and older fans. The Doors' influence on rock music was huge. As a product of the 1960s counterculture, their music reflected the era's spirit of rebellion and experimentation, and their albums continue to be reissued and appreciated.
The Doors as a Band
The Doors' unique sound was a blend of rock, blues, jazz, and classical influences. Ray Manzarek's keyboard playing was a defining element. They often experimented with unconventional song structures and extended improvisations. Their live shows were known for Morrison's unpredictable behavior and intense energy. They pushed boundaries and often faced controversy due to Morrison's on-stage antics. The 1969 Miami concert incident, where Morrison was accused of indecent exposure, had a significant impact on their career. Their appearance on the Ed Sullivan show, where Jim Morrison did not change the lyrics to "Light My Fire" as requested, caused them to be banned from the show.
Like the sometimes melancholic and yet spiritually 'touched' Jimi Hendrix, Morrison's drug-induced mysticism ended up in tragedy. He died at age 27 in his Paris apartment bathtub, surrounded by rumors of ongoing substance abuse. The official cause of death was listed as heart failure, but no autopsy was performed, leading to persistent speculation and conspiracy theories about the circumstances of his death.
Post-Morrison Era
Despite Morrison's bad end, his music, personal philosophy, and raw energy still inspire young and older fans. The Doors' influence on rock music was huge. As a product of the 1960s counterculture, their music reflected the era's spirit of rebellion and experimentation, and their albums continue to be reissued and appreciated.
The surviving members kept making studio albums, most notably "An American Prayer," which featured Morrison's poetry set to music. Like Nelson Riddle sans Frank Sinatra or Ella Fitzgerald (three top artists from a previous era), the rest of the band sounds like a competent but not outstanding ensemble without Morrison at the helm. "The Lizard King's" early death was but another tragic end to a young, gifted superstar whose living on the edge is what made him great.
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¹ Jerry Hopkins and Danny Sugerman, No One Here Gets Out Alive, New York: Warner Books, 1980.
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