(Vocal/instrumental group, 1965–73, 1978, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2011)

Jim Morrison (vocals) has been the posthumous subject of a movie that fuelled the myth that he was The Doors. If his stage antics brought the Los Angeles outfit much publicity – and notoriety – their hits were either team efforts or written by other personnel, namely Ray Manzarek (keyboards), Robbie Kreiger (guitar) and John Densmore (drums). 1967’s ‘Light My Fire’, a US No. 1, was followed by further high placings in both the single and album lists, peaking in 1968 with million-sellers ‘Hello I Love You’ and ‘Touch Me’. Then came a concert in Miami where Morrison was purported to have exposed himself. During a long wait for the scheduled trial, he exiled himself in Paris, where he died suddenly in 1971. The Doors disbanded two years later after two albums without him – though they reconvened in 1978 to provide accompaniment on An American Prayer, an album centred on tapes of Morrison reciting self-written poems. Since then, action has deferred to debate concerning a more permanent reformation with a new lead singer.

Styles & Forms | Sixties | Rock
Personalities | Lee Dorsey | Sixties | Rock