The Doors were formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, comprising of
James Douglas Morrison born in Florida on 8th December 1943. Vocals Ray Manzarek,
keyboards drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger. The group released
its first album, The Doors, featuring the hit Light My Fire, in 1967. The album
was a big hit and continues to be the one of the most popular albums of that
time. A blend of blues, classical and eastern music coupled with Jim Morrison’s
poetic lyrics, The Doors caused quite a rage amongst the 60’s generation.
Through 1971, The Doors managed to turn out a series of successful albums and
singles. The group experimented with brass sections, with mixed results. In the
mid-'80s, Morrison was as big a star as he'd been in the mid-'60s, and Elektra
has sold numerous quantities of The Doors original albums plus reissues and
releases of live material over the years.
Controversy seemed to go hand in hand with The Doors. Jim Morrison’s
increasingly erratic and bizarre behaviour landed the band in trouble more than
once. His performances were always outrageously provocative, lewd and violent.
In 1969, Morrison was arrested for indecent exposure during a concert in Miami,
an incident that nearly derailed the band.
Morrison was unable to break free from his neglecting lifestyle. On 3rd July
1971, he was found dead in his bathtub, apparently of a drug overdose. He was
only 27 years old. He was buried in the Poets' Corner of Pere Lachaise Cemetery
in Paris, an area shared by Balzac, Moliere, and Oscar Wilde. The three
surviving Doors members tried to carry on without him, but ultimately disbanded.
The Doors music and Morrison's legend continued to fascinate succeeding
generations of rock fans.
