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In 1965, Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek were at film school in LA, working on projects together, when they realized they also shared an interest in music. After Manzarek (a classically trained keyboard player) began to add Morrison's poetry to a blues soundtrack, they joined garage rockers (Ray's brothers) Rick & The Ravens. However, they soon discovered a more inspired backing from two buddies who had previously been employed by The Psychedelic Rangers. Robbie Kreiger (guitar) had been raised on a diet of Chicago blues and this, coupled with flamenco-style guitar tuition and exposure to R&B radio, had helped him to forge a unique style, while John Densmore (drums) was a would-be beatnik frequenting clubs such as Shelley Manne's Hole, listening to John Coltrane.
The band took its name from the poet-visionary-artist William Blake, who had written, "When the doors of perception are cleansed, things will appear to man as they truly are...infinite." English author Aldous Huxley was sufficiently inspired by Blake's quote to title his book on mescaline experiences, "The Doors of Perception". Morrison was so connected to both works that he proposed the name, The Doors to his bandmates. Everyone agreed that the name, as well as the inspiration from which it sprang, was perfect to convey who they were and clearly representative for what they stood for.
The quartet put a year into rehearsal and songwriting, which led to bookings on Sunset Strip and eventually a residency at the Whiskey-A-Go-Go. Throughout 1966, The Doors played alongside the rising stars of the day, including The Byrds and Van Morrison's Them. The two Morrisons became close, jamming together and comparing notes on blues standards.
In the early months, Jim Morrison tended to slink around in the shadows with his back to the crowd, but soon his acid-influenced musings inspired him to strike more heroic poses, such as using the mike stand as a penile extension. The Doors' music was of sufficient quality to impress the LA crowd and Arthur Lee of the "Love" record label recommended that Jac Holzman, head of Elektra Records, should witness the small-scale performances while he had the chance. Holzman had to fend off Frank Zappa and Columbia Records in his bid to sign the band.
The Doors are somewhat of an anomaly in the rock pantheon. They weren't part of the peace and love Airplane-Dead-Quicksilver acid-rock movement of San Francisco. They had nothing to do with the English invasion, or even conventional pop music for that matter. Even in their home town of Los Angeles they were considered a world apart from the predominantly folk-rock peerage of The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and The Mamas and The Papas.
The Doors were never part of any movement. Indeed, during an era of very high fliers, their visionary trajectory sought an orbit positioned well outside of the rock norm. Their journey was driven by a unique group vision and a determination to push the envelope of poetry, spirituality, intellect and psycho-sexual exploration in popular music as far as possible.
Their first album, "The Doors", was released in January 1967 and did nothing for six months. Then, "Light My Fire" was pulled as a single. It broke onto the charts in June of '67 and reached number one in the U.S. in August. It was Elektra's first top-ten record, after ten years of trying. The album it came from also went to number one and remained a best seller for one-hundred and four weeks.
"Light My Fire" brought the Doors world wide success and eventual status as a legendary rock and roll band. The hit singles continued with "People are Strange" and "Love Me Two Times" in 1967, "The Unknown Soldier" and "Hello, I Love You" in 1968, "Touch Me" in 1969 and finally, "Love Her Madly" and "Riders On The Storm" in 1971.
With Morrison out front, egging on ever-growing crowds, the Doors created the aura of danger, taboo, and uncharted territory, even if the journey was really a little safer than it seemed. Morrison played the roll of pop star to the hilt...taking off his shirt, wearing tight leather pants, and posing for spreads in all the teen magazines. He was busted after one concert, and charged with exposing himself.
After their third album, Morrison seemed to lose enthusiasm for being the lead singer of a rock and roll band. He grew increasingly difficult to work with, both on the road and in the studio. His troubles with the law and drugs seemed to have taken their toll.
In the end, after conquering America, Morrison and his girlfriend Pamela moved to Paris, in March 1971, with the intention of starting a new life there. The couple were both dogged by drug and alcohol problems, and their stay reached a grievous conclusion on July 3, when the 27-year-old singer was found dead in his bathtub. Speculation abounded as to the exact cause of death - no autopsy was performed - but it seems likely that Morrison's body finally gave in to the rigours of his belief in 'delicious ecstasy'.
The Doors continued on for a while, but eventually broke up in 1973, after the remaining trio recorded two albums without Morrison. In 1991, Oliver Stone's film starring Val Kilmer further mythologized Morrison. During 1996, the greatest-hits album and "Absolutely Live" were re-released. Since his death, Morrison's grave in Paris' famed Père Lachaise cemetery is dotted with gifts and graffiti from a constant pilgrimage of fans. "I love it," Manzarek has said. "To me, it's a process; every five years, there's a new generation of fifteen-year-olds discovering the Doors."
In September, 2002, nearly thirty years to the day after their final concert, a reunited version of Doors returned to the stage with a new singer, Ian Astbury of the Cult. The new Doors line-up also included founding members, guitarist Robbie Krieger, keyboardist Ray Manzarek along with drummer Stewart Copeland of the Police, filling in for John Densmore, who was suffering from tinnitus. Playing bass was Angelo Barbera. "The tragedy and loss of Jim Morrison weighs heavily on all of us, but this ain't no tribute band," said Manzarek backstage at the House of Blues in Los Angeles on September 3rd, after the band's first live appearance.
On February 28th, 2007, The Doors were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. Guitarist Robby Krieger and keyboardist Ray Manzarek were on hand, along with Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman, who signed the band and worked closely with them in the studio. Drummer John Densmore didn't make it to the event.
For more, be sure to read Gary James' Interviews with Ray Manzarek and Robbie Krieger
