The Doors
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About The Doors
One of the most influential and controversial rock acts of the 1960s, The Doors were best-known for Jim Morrison’s poetic lyrics and dark-edged moody vocals, alongside his erratic stage persona. The American rock band emerged in Los Angeles in 1965 and signed with Elektra Records to release six studio albums over five years. These included their debut ‘The Doors’ (1967), which charted at No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and spawned their most successful single ‘Light My Fire’, as well as albums ‘Strange Days’ (1967) and ‘L.A. Woman’ (1971). ‘L.A. Woman’ was praised by critics and a commercial success; it landed in the Top 10 in the U.S. and Canada and produced two singles ‘Love Her Madly’ and ‘Riders on the Storm’.
Described by Life magazine as the “Kings of Acid Rock”, The Doors had sold over 4 million albums and 8 million singles when 1972 arrived, establishing them as one of the most successful bands of their time. Following Morrison’s tragic death in 1971, the band continued as a trio with two studio albums in the 1970s ‘Other Voices’ and ‘Full Circle’, which topped the U.S. and Canadian charts. Their third album, ‘An American Prayer,’ featured earlier recordings by Morrison, which led to their separation in 1973.
The Doors reunited briefly in 1993 when they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, alongside several one-off projects into the millennium. The collective was the first American band to earn eight consecutive Gold-certified LPs, with 34 million album sales in the United States and over 100 million record sales worldwide. Meanwhile, Rolling Stone magazine ranked them 41 on its ‘100 Greatest Artists of All Time’ list in 2004.
In the present day, The Doors trio continue to release compilations through Rhino Records and new live material through Rhino and their Bright Midnight Archives label.
Who were The Doors members?
The Doors members included former vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore. The latter trio continued to work in the music industry after Morrison died in 1971.
Where did The Doors get their name?
The band took its name from the title of English writer Aldous Huxley's book The Doors of Perception, a reference to a quote by English poet William Blake.
What projects have The Doors inspired?
The Doors' infamous song ‘The End’ from their debut album featured in the popular Vietnam War film Apocalypse Now (1979). In 1991, The Doors – a feature film directed by Academy Award-winning director Oliver Stone – was released with critical acclaim. Nearly two decades later, When You’re Stange – a documentary on The Doors directed by Tom DiCillo, was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series and won a Grammy Award for Best Long Form Video.
What caused Jim Morrison’s death?
Jim Morrison died on July 3, 1971, in Paris, with the official cause cited as heart failure (although some firsthand reports suggest heroin overdose). The Doors lead vocalist was 27.
The Doors 'Roadhouse Blues Tour'
August, 1970: With Jim Morrison's ongoing Miami obscenity trial casting an ominous shadow over the band, The Doors flew to England to play the Isle of Wight Festival.
Waiting for them at "The Last Great Festival" were over 600,000 fans who had already torn down the barriers, crashed the gates, and enjoyed performances by the world's top acts such as Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Miles Davis and Joni Mitchell.
The Doors took the stage at 2 am, playing with the weight of the trial on their backs, and showed fans they still had the magic that had propelled them to the top during the Summer of Love. “We played with a controlled fury and Jim was in fine vocal form," said Doors organist Ray Manzarek. "He sang for all he was worth but moved nary a muscle. Dionysus had been shackled.”
Less than a year later, The Doors were no more. Here is the last Doors concert ever filmed. The Doors: Live at the Isle of Wight.
The performance can be streamed on demand with unlimited replays through the On Air website, mobile, and TV apps.
