Selected songs and facts about The Doors

by Anees

Joined Dec 2021
Published Books 2

Introduction

In this book we will discuss some interesting facts about “The Doors” band, and provide some information about the band members, and we will review some selected songs performed by the band.

The Doors

The Doors were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and drummer John Densmore.

They were among the most controversial and influential rock acts of the 1960s, partly due to Morrison’s lyrics and voice, along with his erratic stage persona, and the group is also widely regarded as an important part of the era’s counterculture.

Members of the band

James Morrison

James Douglas Morrison (December 8, 1943 – July 3, 1971) was an American singer, poet and songwriter who was the lead vocalist of the rock band the Doors. Due to his wild personality, poetic lyrics, distinctive voice, unpredictable and erratic performances, and 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.

Morrison developed an alcohol dependency throughout the band’s career, which at times affected his performances on stage. In 1971, Morrison died unexpectedly in Paris at the age of 27, amid conflicting witness reports. His premature death made him a member of the infamous 27 club. Since no autopsy was performed, the cause of Morrison’s death remains disputed.

Together with pianist Ray Manzarek, Morrison founded the Doors in 1965 in Venice, California.

Raymond Manzarek

Raymond Daniel Manzarek Jr. (born Manczarek; February 12, 1939 – May 20, 2013) was an American keyboardist and singer. He is best known as a member of the Doors, co-founding the band with singer and lyricist Jim Morrison in 1965.

Manzarek was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 as a member of the Doors. He was a co-founding member of Nite City from 1977 to 1978, and of Manzarek–Krieger from 2001 until his death in 2013. USA Today described him as “one of the best keyboardists ever”.

Robert Krieger

Robert Alan Krieger (born January 8, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He was the original guitarist of rock band the Doors; as such he has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Krieger wrote or co-wrote many of the Doors’ songs, including the hits “Light My Fire”, “Love Me Two Times”, “Touch Me”, and “Love Her Madly”. After the Doors disbanded due to the death of frontman and singer Jim Morrison, Krieger continued his performing and recording career with other musicians including former Doors bandmates John Densmore and Ray Manzarek. He was listed by Rolling Stone as one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.

John Densmore

John Paul Densmore (born December 1, 1944) is an American musician, songwriter, author and actor. He is best known as the drummer of the rock band the Doors, and as such is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He appeared on every recording made by the band, with drumming inspired by jazz and world music as much as by rock and roll.

Densmore is also noted for his veto of attempts by the other two Doors members, in the wake of singer Jim Morrison’s 1971 death, to accept offers to license the rights to various Doors songs for commercial purposes, as well as his objections to their use in the 21st century of the Doors name and logo. Densmore’s lengthy court battles to gain compliance with his veto, based on a 1960s contract requiring unanimity among Doors members to use the band’s name or music, ended with total victory for him and his allies in the Morrison estate.

Riders on the storm

This song was released as the second single from last studio album with Jim Morrison.

It’s one of my all-time favorite songs, and I remember my self listening to it in different situations and periods in my life.

One of my memories with this song is back from 2004, where a remix of the song was in a the video game “Need for Speed: Underground 2”.

Let’s listen to both the original song and the video game remix:

Roadhouse Blues

When Jim Morrison got drunk, he liked to sing blues numbers at The Doors jam sessions. This in one of the songs he came up with at one of those inebriated sessions.

If there was an actual roadhouse that inspired this song, it was probably the Topanga Corral, a windowless nightclub in the counterculture enclave of the Topanga Canyon, where Jim Morrison lived. To get to the venue you had to take Topanga Canyon Boulevard, which is full of twists and turns – you really did need to “keep your eyes on the road, your hand upon the wheel.”

Touch Me

Doors guitarist Robby Krieger wrote this song as “Hit Me,” based on fights he had with his girlfriend. The lyric was, “C’mon, hit me, I’m not afraid.” In a rare show of restraint, Jim Morrison insisted on changing it to “Touch Me.”

At the end of the song, Morrison chants “Stronger than dirt!” The line is from an Ajax commercial popular at the time where a white knight rides around destroying dirt. The last four chords of the song were also lifted from the commercial.

People Are Strange

Jim Morrison was depressed. He went to Robby Krieger’s house, they went to a canyon to watch a sunset, at which time Jim realized he was depressed because “if you’re strange, people are strange.” He then wrote the rest of the lyrics, which are about feeling alienated.

Krieger, The Doors’ guitarist, wrote the music. He did his guitar solo in one take.

Summary

In my opinion it is not possible to describe this immortal band in one small Ebook like this one, but I really hope that the songs and the details that i chose to review, gave you an idea about this amazing band and how much I’m inspired by it.

The songs i chose here are attached to a lot of my memories, and I keep listening to them in a lot of different situations.

I hope you enjoyed listening to the music and reading this Ebook, and I really recommend you to explore and discover more about one of my all time favorite bands.

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