People are Strange - Jim Morrison and The Doors

In the summer of 1965 The Doors formed amid the turbulence of the era with music that was as intense and complex as the times that spawned them. They derived their name from references to “the doors of perception” in works by William Blake and Aldous Huxley.

When You're Strange

The Doors had a dark, brooding personality that came largely from singer Jim Morrison. Musically, other members of the Doors - keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer Jon Densmore - combined a jazzy improv style that allowed Morrison to sometimes write poetic lyrics on the spot coming across to audiences as quit profound and deep.

“It’s the feeling of a bowstring being pulled back for twenty-two years and suddenly let go.” Morrison is quoted in an early interview.

Original songs usually were about sex, death and the unknown, but the Doors would occasionally transform old blues numbers, such as Willie Dixon’s “Back Door Man” and John Lee Hooker’s “Crawling King Snake.”

Morrison and Manzarek met at UCLA’s film school. A year later the group signed with Elektra Records. The Doors recorded six landmark studio LPs and a live album for Elektra. They achieved acclaim for their 1967 debut, The Doors. This album included their eleven-minute epic “The End” and #1 hit “Light My Fire”.

Morrison Stirs Controversy

On the Ed Sullivan Show September 17, 1967 The Doors performed “Light My Fire,” and despite their agreement to omit the line “Girl, we couldn’t get much higher,” changing it to "Girl we couldn't get much better," Morrison performed the song with the controversial lyric intact. Note the smiles on the bands faces as Morrison defies all authority on live national television in the video at left.

Sullivan was infuriated by the act of defiance and canceled six scheduled future appearances that had already been booked. Morrison reportedly said to Sullivan, "Who cares."

Morrison was also arrested for an alleged incident of exposure onstage at a March 1969 concert in Miami.

The Doors rebounded from all of Morrison's adversity with one of their finest albums, L.A. Woman, which contained the Top Forty hits “Love Her Madly” and “Riders On the Storm.” After its release, Morrison took a leave of absence from the group and moved to Paris with girlfriend Pamela Courson. The exposure incident in Miami was gaining momentum and staying in the United States was keeping Morrison under constant threat of arrest and prosecution.

Morrison made his last known recordings shortly after moving to Paris. The "Lost Paris Tapes" were recorded in a jam session on December 8, 1970.

Morrison Crosses Over to the Other Side at Age 27

Courson found Morrison dead in their bathtub July 3, 1971. Morrison joined Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Brian Jones as 1960's musicians who died at the age of 27 (The 27 Club) .” There was no autopsy performed and the coroner officially ruled the cause of death a heart attack, but multiple witnesses have reported Morrison died from a heroin overdose at the Paris nightclub RnR Circus. In July 2009 the former manager of that nightclub revealed in a book Morrison was found dead in a toilet stall at RnR Circus and hauled back to his apartment and dumped in the bathtub by two drug dealers.

Morrison Grave Attracts Tourists

Morrison was buried without fanfare in Père Lachaise Cemetery on July 7, 1971. Fans and seekers still make Paris pilgrimages to the grave of Morrison and leave mementos despite a guard and fence. Morrison's grave is the fourth most popular tourist attraction in Paris.

Morrison's family tried to have his grave moved in 2001 to a more private place, but their request was denied.

Morrison will continue to rest in Père Lachaise Cemetery.

Courson's Parents Inherit Morrison's Estate - Morrison's Family Challenges

Courson inherited Morrison's entire estate and died of a heroin overdose herself in 1974 in Los Angeles. A court battle between her parents and Morrison's parents ensued for Morrison's remaining estate. Morrison's parent's eventually won a portion of the estate, but to this day Courson's father is the executor of the estate even though Morrison and Courson were never legally married.

The Doors continued without Morrison until 1973 with moderate success in Germany and Russia. Two albums were released, but neither was released in the USA.

An American Prayer was released in the USA in 1978 using historical Morrison poetry and archived music. The Doors had been gone for five years and Morrison had been dead for six years. Still, An American Prayer achieved a platinum certificate.

"The Doors" - The Movie

Val Kilmer played the part of Morrison and Meg Ryan played Courson in the Oliver Stone Movie "The Doors" in 1991.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The Doors were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

The Doors Only Filmed Concert

Jim Morrison and the The Doors played many concerts, but only one was ever filmed from beginning to end. The concert was performed at the Hollywood Bowl on July 5th, 1968.

We hope you enjoy watching it below.