Jim Morrison: The Man, The Myth, The Legend
... indulgent displays of mock sex and profanities. (History) Certain critics depict, “he was possessed by demons which led to his drug use and alcoholism.” (LA Times Calendar) This statement is very ironic because Morrison explained that an Indian Shaman spirit was transferred into his body while driving by a car accident of several Indians. Morrison, though, tends to influence these types of critiques upon him by certain statements he makes about himself, such as, “I am interested in anything about revolt, disorder, chaos; especially anything that appears to have no meaning.” (Bam Balam) Morrison and The Doors was an “extreme” band for their time, pushing the limits, “The Doors were not viewing life through the rose-tinted granny glasses of peace and love – their salvation came in the form of sex and death.” (History) Even though Morrison appeared to be so out of hand, he was still able to give the audience what they wanted, “For me, it was never really an act, those so-called performances. It was a life-and-death thing, an attempt to communicate, to involve many people in a private world of thought.” (Anderson, stated by Jim Morrison) Many critics will agree that Jim Morrison is “one of the greatest performers of his era.” (LA Times Calendar) When Morrison performs, “Morrison is in great voice and towering spirits and perfect command of both himself and his audience.” (Kennealy, 13) Both Morrison and his audience had a great time during his performances. Jim Morrison made this quote, when asked for his opinion on his performance at a recent concert, “We have fun, the kids have fun, the cops have fun. Its a weird triangle.” (Bam Balam) Patricia Kennealy once described Morrison and The Doors’ performance as, “Whenever Morrison and the Doors performed, the music and the vocal combined to turn you to stone.” (71) Even though The Doors were considered a rock ‘n’ roll group of the sixties, one critic stated, “The Doors are basically a blues oriented group with heavy dosages of rock ‘n’ roll, a moderate sprinkling of jazz, a minute quality of classical influence and some popular elements. But basically a white blues band.” (Bam Balam) Many critics also share the same opinion towards The Doors, which “The Doors represent hard edged antithesis of the softer sounds which drift through mind and body.” (Bam Balam) Morrison’s contributions to The Doors, and The Doors overall awareness of great rhythm and sound, are what gave them the edge over many other groups of their time. With their unstated goal in mind, “to accomplish musical alchemy – to fuse rock music with both existential poetry and improvisational theater,” (Anderson) The Doors developed great music that would last well beyond their time. Even though the sixties era is to remain in the past, Jim Morrison and The Doors live on. “The Doors’ music was featured on at least ten movie soundtracks in the past decade and re-recorded by contemporary artists.” (LA Times Calendar) Their music “acted as a blueprint for countless rockers who wished to emulate their benighted hero, and inspired many bands like The Stranglers, Echo and Bunnymen and The Cult.” (History) Not only has Jim Morrison and the Doors survived through their music, but also through their appearance. “In his black leather jacket and skin-tight vinyl pants, Jim Morrison personified rock music’s image of superstar as sullen and the mystical sexual poet.” (NY Times) Even though many critics have disagreed with Morrison’s “lewd and lascivious behavior” (History) on and off the stage, Jim Morrison’s “behavior remains the benchmark of his era.” (LA Times Calendar) The Jim Morrison everybody remembers and thinks of, is the Jim Morrison with every one of these characteristi...