This week, we mourned the 43rd anniversary of the death of a great artist and figurehead of the 60s and 70s. Jim Morrison was far too young (27 years old) when he died (possibly of a drug overdose).
So it goes.
I love what Jim Morrison did for The Doors and the culture of that era, but I would like to clear some things up about The Doors.
Many people believe Jim Morrison was the lead artist of his immortal band. While he was an influential frontman and a huge part of the band’s image, he was not the lead artist. The other members of The Doors (Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger and John Densmore) all put in equal or greater influence into the actual music of The Doors.
Sure Jim Morrison wrote a lot of their big songs (like “The End” and “Peace Frog”), but this may or may not come as a surprise to even the most devoted of fans: Robby Krieger wrote a fair amount of songs too including their first huge hit, “Light My Fire.”
Also, it’s no surprise that the songs of The Doors consisted of great musicianship through instruments, right? Guess who did all of that!
Ray, Robby and John.
Jim played the tambourine.
Now I’m not trying to poop on Jim Morrison; I love Jim and everything he did for The Doors and for the culture of his era. He was a true rock star and revolutionary. All I am trying to say is that The Doors were more than just Jim. The band consisted of four awesome musicians who are often left to the back burner (which unfortunately happens far too often, just look at Ozzy Osbourne).
-T
YOUR GOBLET OF ROCK 