By Griffith Fuller
By Griffith Fuller
Fans, worldwide, still adore a voice that hasn’t aged in 38 years.
In 1967, with the release of “The Doors,” Jim Morrison, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek and John Densmore took on the world with their psychedelic bluesy rock music.
The Doors were one of the first great influential bands to emerge from Los Angeles. Following their footsteps today are bands like Rage Against the Machine, System of a Down, the Mars Volta and The Apex Theory.Their first albums sprung hits such as “Light My Fire” and “Break On Through (To The Other Side).” Jim Morrison emerged into prominent sex symbol in Los Angeles, adapting the nickname “Lizard King.”
He was unfortunately arrested on several occasions for profanity and indecent exposure during some of the Doors shows.
The Doors reign of success occurred at a turbulent time in American history. The members of the band had to avoid the draft for the Vietnam war, just as other young men had to. “The Unknown Soldier,” which reached number 24 on the national charts, serves as the band’s “antiwar” hit.
Jim Morrison was a film student at UCLA and a selfproclaimed poet. T.S. Eliot (famous American / British writer) was his favorite poet and one of his influences. Morrison’s lyrics are thought provoking and as innovative as the music itself.
“People Are Strange,” released off of “Strange Days” in 1967, sounds like a bluesy circus ballad. “The End” is 12 minutes (approximately) of dark experimental storytelling that is tranquil yet chaotic. Morrison shows some of his sex appeal on songs like “Touch Me” and “Love Me Two Times.” The band released “The Soft Parade” in 1969 and “LA Woman” in 1971.
Morrison unfortunately passed away at the age of 27 on July 3, 1971, succeeding the deaths of Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix (two great rock icons from that time). Some believe his cause of death was from his alcoholism, but the police at the time stated that it was a heart attack.Oliver Stone made a movie in 1993 based on the band, but some disapprove of his depiction of the legendary frontman as an alcoholic.
Despite Morrison’s death, the remaining band members still play concerts today, and have done so for the past 34 years.
Among their fellow bands from the days of the counter-revolution, (Pink Floyd, Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, etc.) The Doors’ music will stand the test of time and summon more fans for generations past their time.
