Historical Figure
Jim Morrison
1943–1971
American singer (1943–1971)
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"Rolling Stone Magazine Interview" — February 1971
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Biography
James Douglas Morrison was an American singer-songwriter and poet who was the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of the rock band the Doors. Due to his charismatic persona, poetic lyrics, distinctive voice, and unpredictable performances, along with the dramatic circumstances surrounding his life and early death, Morrison is regarded by music critics and fans as one of the most influential frontmen in rock history. Since his death, his fame has endured as one of popular culture's top rebellious and oft-displayed icons, representing the generation gap and youth counterculture.
Timeline
The story of Jim Morrison, told in moments.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 with the other Doors. His grave at Pere Lachaise is one of the most visited sites in Paris. Fans still leave bottles of whiskey, poems, and cigarettes.
Living on a Venice Beach rooftop, dropping acid, writing poetry. He runs into UCLA film school classmate Ray Manzarek on the beach. Morrison sings him some lyrics. "Those are the greatest song lyrics I've ever heard," Manzarek says. "Let's start a band and make a million dollars." They call it the Doors, after Aldous Huxley's The Doors of Perception.
"Light My Fire" hits number one in the United States. The Doors have gone from bar band to the biggest act in rock in six months. Morrison is 23, spectacularly handsome, and already drinking heavily. He's arrested on stage in New Haven in December, the first rock musician arrested during a performance.
The Miami concert. Morrison allegedly exposes himself on stage. He's charged with indecent exposure and profanity. The band is banned from venues across the country. The trial drags on for two years. He's convicted but dies before sentencing. Florida's governor posthumously pardons him in 2010.
Found dead in the bathtub of his apartment at 17 rue Beautreillis, Paris. He is 27. No autopsy is performed. The official cause is heart failure, but witnesses give conflicting accounts. Some believe heroin was involved. The mystery has never been resolved. He's buried at Pere Lachaise Cemetery, near Oscar Wilde and Chopin.
In Their Own Words (20)
Death makes angels of us all and gives us wings where we had shoulders smooth as raven's claws
1978
Now listen to this... Ill tell you about texas radio and the big beat Soft driven, slow and mad Like some new language Reaching your head with the cold, sudden fury of a divine messenger Let me tell you about heartache and the loss of god Wandering, wandering in hopeless night Out here in the perimeter there are no stars... Out here we is stoned... Immaculate.
1978
I'm sick of dour faces Staring at me from the T.V. Tower. I want roses in my garden bower; dig?
1978
We have assembled inside this ancient & insane theatre To propagate our lust for life & flee the swarming wisdom of the streets
1978
Do you know the warm progress under the stars? Do you know we exist? Have you forgotten the keys to the kingdom? Have you been born yet & are you alive?
1978
Artifacts (15)
The making of Colorado- a historical sketch (IA makingofcolorado00parsrich)
Parsons, Eugene, b. 1855
History of the great fire in Saint John, June 20 and 21, 1877 (IA historyofgreatfi01conw)
Conwell, Russell Herman, 1843-1925
Richardson's Chicago guide; a complete handbook to the city's depots, hotels .. (IA richardsonschica00rich)
Richardson, [Frank H.] [from old catalog]
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