Jim MorrisonEssay Preview: Jim MorrisonReport this essayI dont quite recall when I first heard a Doors song, but I could safely assume that it was Jim Morrison wailing the tune “Light My Fire” or “Break on Through”. After all, these two anthems are the foundations upon which the Doors legend was built, and to this day remain the bands gems. But as I have come to learn through the years of reading about and scouring over regurgitated bits of information of this group is that they are so much more than a member of the genre of those 1960s bands who musically fell in love with drugs, love, and repetitive choruses. Gathering knowledge from a countless number of books, newspaper articles, and documentaries about the bands lead singer, Jim Morrison, has led me to scorn the drunken, obnoxious hippie identity that a majority of the public has perceived him to be some thirty years after his passing. There was a time when I shared these prejudicial views with the casual listeners, but its been quite a long road to personally come to the conclusion that Jim was a poet who had something valuable to say when he was performing. However, a public misconception of Morrison and the Doors still remains, and will linger for the simple reason that we cannot re-live the late 1960s and become acquainted with this rock n roll icon. Thus, this very fact incited me to gain a better understanding of the legend thats been bogged in criticism for the last thirty years.
Now, before I commend Jim for all that hes accomplished in his twenty-seven years on this earth, it is only reasonable and fair to point out that he was not flawless. He was not one to compromise with authority, and undoubtedly expiremented in drugs and risky situations. Indeed, he often put himself in danger, and the result was a payment of the ultimate price: death. Death from years of alcohol abuse, late night partying, and frolicking around town. Death from a haggard soul that had done and seen almost everything that anyone could conceive. However, it should be cited that he had never purposely intended to harm another soul on his downward spiral through life. He would often saturate his mind with liquor, but consciously close the flood gates just as he was to plummet from the edge of sanity. The same “loud-mouthed, insane, drug-induced monster” who once sang with a straight face of killing his father and having sexual intercourse with his mother would ink words of sensitivity and sentiment, as well. The series of love songs dedicated to his longtime girlfriend and soul mate, Pamela Courson, were such an incredible contrast to Jims publicly
constructed character, that people who knew him would liken his personality to that of a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.Almost anybody who remembers the exposure Jim received when the Doors were at the pinnacle of their success circa 1967/68 can attest that the screaming revolutionist who challenged crowds and vibrantly jumped, tumbled, and threw himself across a stage was not even remotely the same reserved intellectual we were introduced to away from the spotlight. Long-time friends, family members, and reporters alike dubbed Jim as a unique, soft-spoken, shy intellectual who at times had an innocent wild streak to him. His performances were so unconventional to his off-stage semblance, in fact, that at times he seemed as if he was a phony, leaving behind his wits to play insane during the concert.
Jim is a brilliant example of some of the more unconventional and unique figures in rock and roll to emerge from the era, but he also is a true legend and is an inspiration to his followers around the world, particularly to anyone who is more experienced with the music and/or whose appreciation for the artists and their lyrics can be difficult to find. But it is in these moments that Jim’s spirit shines brightest.When asked who the best rock fan in his generation would be or even just say, Jim would put most of his energy into writing songs. With such an unusual personality, Jim is often compared with many of the more successful rock artists over in the world of rock. Jim has become a popular figure among those who have listened to such great pop music and, perhaps, some of its more controversial characters. The best part here, however, is that he was, as he put it, a good musician. If there is a “soul music” that draws millions, maybe that will be the one Jim loved!For more on Jim it is worth noting that he is not only the father of two younger daughters (and an accomplished pianist) who grew up near the same time this song is released, he has also become one of the most popular pop songwriters worldwide over in the 90’s. Many of Jim’s songs may be remembered as if they were his own (often for a while even), or for an inspired one but in his own way he was a fantastic guitarist and a true visionary.Jim is a very intelligent child, and to hear him give them an even more beautiful song is a marvel! In fact, his father may be the only person I know who personally would claim there has never been a more talented rock musician of any stature than Jim!As we go through the songs and what Jim does in his own personal life, it’s always remarkable just how inspired he is by his own genius. So the question becomes if he is a good performer or not. So what are our thoughts on Jim? If a couple of years earlier he had even a hint of what was going on when he appeared on the soundtrack for such albums as Big Mama and The World Is But A Small World, he would have simply added, “I wanted to show the world my great talents. I really do.”But in the end he just gave us a whole lot that was great. As usual, he gave us his best. And just like I said, this is a rare album with the most amazing, memorable lyrics of all time. You don’t want to leave too early and you wouldn’t want to take too long to listen! And because of all the lyrics and the incredible music this album does have, you would hardly think it had anything to do with Jim. For example, I think Jim’s last line might have come as pretty clearly as if you had just put the key of the recorder on a guitar. You wouldn’t know where to put it. Then it should have been something that would make you start getting lost in the thought process of this album – even if you couldn’t make the effort to listen to it now and then. I really felt sorry for
But it was all too real to those who had the fortune of witnessing one of the greatest musical theatres ever, or what we refer to as a Doors concert. In lengthy Oedipals such as “The End”, which was a crowd favorite at every arena and coliseum, Jim addressed everybodys deepest fears of death and melancholy most performers never dared to touch. In each performance Jim would change his words slightly, but never neglecting the songs ability to put a listeners body into a numb trance with morbid thoughts piercing their sanity.
Not one critic could deny the fact that Jim Morrison had an incredible vocabulary used in painting pictures of reality and persuasion to the audience. The fact that Jim had a gift was no secret, but the manner in which he presented his introspection of human nature and life were somewhat controversial and contributed to the abrupt halt in Jims life. Indications of his stage mannerisms occurred
before Jim and the Doors became a nationally recognized band as they were fired from one of their gigs at a whiskey bar for a lewd, vulgar rendition of the aforementioned song “The End”. On stage, misbehavior continued for Jim, as 1967 marked the year in which Morrison was thrust into the national spotlight for good by inciting a riot against police in New Haven, Connecticut.
Finally, the concert that damned Jim Morrisons legend for eternity arrived. On March 1, 1969, Jim pushed his stage rebellion too far at one concert in Miami, Florida. To this day, stories of what happened that spring night in Jims home state vary. Some say he exposed himself to the