This is one very difficult band to write about.....The Doors …. How do I prevent Jim Morrison taking centre stage? In reality Jim Morrison was The Doors and with his passing the bands demise was ordained. Ray Manzarek, John Densmore and Robby Krieger were all very competent musicians but the catalyst was always Jim Morrison.
Starting at the beginning…the band formed in 1965 ..with the initiative being driven by Ray Manzarek. He recruited Jim purely based on his poetry… Jim having no ambition to be a vocalist at that time, and John Densmore and Rob Kriege (who played together in The Psychedelic Rangers) were recruited shortly thereafter.
After a stunning performance at The Whiskey Ago Go they were signed up by Elektra record label and their first album was released in 1967. This album contained absolute classics…Light My Fire, Backdoor Man and the masterpiece The End (later to be used on the sound track of “Apocalypse Now”)
But nonetheless I want to introduce the readers to the very first Doors number that I recall, and loved, as a child. I was a mere 9 years old and walked around singing this song endlessly ; to this day I know every word of the song.
The song that really introduced them to the world was undoubtedly “Light my Fire” … an extremely sophisticated sound which I can only describe as ‘tempered rock’ with superb instrumentation.
I think you will agree… a true classic.
In the meantime as their fame grew, Jim Morrison was battling demons of his own. His lyrics delved into uncomfortable arenas…sex, violence and primal urges (check out The End for a good example). Nonetheless they produced six albums, but were fantastically successful on tour, performing to sell out crowds at every concert
Riders on the Storm …. The song speaks for itself…no words necessary.
In 1971 the band released the album LA Woman which was to prove to be their last. Jim Morrison was found dead in the bath in his Paris home aged 27. His demise (or not) was the subject of much conjecture and debate, leading to books being published around the cause of his death. Others had it he faked his own death and escaped to live his life anonymously. Nonetheless, shortly after Jim Morrison was no more…. The band was no more, but their music lives on
If you choose to listen to only one track…. I IMPLORE YOU…. Listen to this one!! You may better understand the power of their music and the influence The Doors had on their audience. And for all the readers out there who actually went to a live concert…. I am soooo envious!
I am featuring artists from the 60’s and 70’s from diverse genre’s over the next few months. If you love music … FOLLOW and take the journey with me..it is going to be one thrilling ride !! Furthermore I will only be featuring artists from MY vinyl collection, and I shall start all of the posts with a photo of an album cover to authenticate
EDIT: Had wrong video for last song
Leonard Cohen
Source: 90% out of my head…..
Source: http://www.thedoors.com/the-band
And of course…Youtube.