Jim Morrison

At the center of the mysticism of The Doors is the magnetic presence of singer/songwriter Jim Morrison, born on December 8, 1943 in Melbourne, Florida, real name James Douglas Morrison, the leather-clad “Lizard King” who brings the captivating power of a shaman to the microphone. microphone to the microphone.

Morrison was a film student at UCLA when he met keyboardist Ray Manzarek in Venice Beach in 1965. After Manzarek heard Morrison’s poems, he immediately suggested that he form a band. The singer chose the name of the group from Aldous Huxley’s infamous psychedelic memoir “The Gates of Perception”.

Morrison repeatedly challenged censorship and conventional wisdom. His lyrics dealt with fundamental themes such as sex, violence, freedom and spirit. He provoked authorities, defied intimidation and arrest and followed the path of excess (as one of his muses, the poet William Blake, put it) to the palace of wisdom.

With six extraordinary albums and countless groundbreaking live performances, he inexorably changed the course of rock music and died in Paris on July 3, 1971 at the age of 27. He was buried in Paris and fans from all over the world regularly make pilgrimages to his grave.

In 1978, the surviving band members – keyboardist Ray Manzarek guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore – recorded the soundtrack for “An American Prayer”, a compilation of Morrison’s poetry recitals. Morrison remains the quintessential rock frontman, and his vocals, poetry and Dionysian appearance continue to inspire artists and audiences around the world.