When I first heard “Light My Fire,” the world spun a little faster. I’d never heard anything like it. Jim Morrison’s distinctive voice and keyboardist Ray Manzarek managed to create a unique sound for The Doors. I bought all their albums, liking some more than others. Then, a few years later, Jim Morrison was dead from a drug overdose and The Doors were no more. Yet, like a ghost, The Doors’ music haunted their fans all their lives. Elektra brought out a boxed set of The Doors’ CDs back in 1997, but that’s out-of-print. There are several remastered albums still available. And, of course, the Val Kilmer movie from 1991. Greil Marcus delivers a breezy overview of The Doors and their impact on American culture. I learned plenty of details about The Doors’ music and recording sessions. GRADE: B+
Sounds good. I remember the Doors even before “Light My Fire” from their first hit “Break on Through (To the Other Side)” and their infamous performance on Ed Sullivan (Morrison promised he would change the words as the Rolling Stones had with “Let’s Spend the Night Together” – I mean, “Let’s spend Some Time together” is lame – but reneged) and everything that followed.
I read NO ONE HERE GETS OUT ALIVE by Gerry Hopkins & Danny Sugarman 30 years ago, in which they made an effort to deny Morrison really exposed himself on stage (but he was so out of it, who really knows?).
I for one thought Kilmer was perfect casting as Big Jim.
I agree with you, Jeff. Val Kilmer did a credible job as Jim Morrison. Greil Marcus provides a brief history of The Doors that provides a surprising amount of information I didn’t know.
I have all of the Doors CDs from when they initially came on on that format, and they still sound great even after many, many playings. I don’t think I need to read a book about them though, I let the music do the talking.
I had the albums, then upgraded to the CDs, and now I’m buying the “remastered” CDs, Rick. Greil Marcus loves The Doors and his book is filled with factoids.
I forgot this: I first heard The Doors at The Fillmore West, they were in a great concert playing the stuff off that first album (which had been on the radio since the first song), the other headliner was a group called Big Brother and the Holding Company, with some singer named Joplin…
Wow, I would have loved to have heard Janis Joplin live, Rick!
Ask Janet Rudolph about drinking Southern Comfort backstage with Janis.
If Janet comes to the BOUCHERCON in Cleveland next October, I’ll be sure to ask Janet about her drinking with Janis Joplin, Jeff.
The Doors did a review of it a couple weeks ago if you want to check it out!
Sure, Jim.
George, may I have your permission to reprint your post on http://www.jimmorrisonproject.com? You will be given full credit, along with a link back to your site.
Of course, Joanne! I’d be honored to be included.