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The Doors Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) List

Version 2.5 (Last updated: August 31, 1996)
For the newsgroup
alt.music.the-doors
AUTHORS: Dave Thompson and Victoria Ridley


INTRODUCTION

This FAQ was compiled for the usenet newsgroup, alt.music.the-doors, where discussion of The Doors and their music is welcome. This FAQ will be posted to alt.music.the-doors once per month. Suggestions for the FAQ are welcome and can be made by sending e-mail to Dave Thompson at: ar025@freenet.carleton.ca.

A very big thank you is due to Kerry Humpherys of the Doors Collectors Magazine for his assistance in verifying information and ensuring everything contained herein is as accurate as possible. Check out the DCM on the World Wide Web at: http://www.doors.com/

We wish to thank the following people for their contributions to the FAQ: Brian Davies, David Taylor.

You can find this HTMLized version of the FAQ at http://www.wwc.edu/student/dodgly/doors/faq/.

DISCLAIMER

This document may be distributed freely as long the contents remain unaltered. This document may not be used for profit, monetary or otherwise. No part of this document may be excerpted for profit without the expressed written or e-mail consent of the authors.

© Copyright 1994, 1995, 1996

Changes since Version 2.4

Question #20 Will he go or will he stay?.


Table of Contents

1. History behind alt.music.the-doors?
2. Who was in The Doors?
3. How did The Doors get their name?
4. When and where were The Doors formed?
5. What instruments did The Doors use?
6. What studio albums were released on the Elektra label?
7. What other Elektra albums were released?
8. What studio albums were recorded after Jim's death?
9. What is their number one selling album and single?
10. Is Elektra going to release a Doors box set?
11. What books are available on The Doors?
12. What books of poetry did Jim write?
13. What offical videos have been released?
14. Are there any Doors fan clubs?
15. Are there any Doors tribute bands?
16. Where can I get Doors files on-line?
17. Are there any Doors sites on the World Wide Web?
18. Who was Pamela Courson?
19. What is the official cause of Jim's death?
20. Where is Jim buried and is he to be moved?
21. What are the strange letters on the headstone?
22. How and when did Pamela Courson die?
23. Who is Patricia Kennealy and was she married to Jim?
24. Why was Jim arrested in New Haven, Connecticut?
25. What happened in Miami, Florida?
26. Who was `Mr. Mojo'?
27. Whats that phrase at the end of `Touch Me'?
28. Where did the Doors (with Jim) perform their last concert?
29. Was the movie `The Doors' accurate?
30. What are the remaining Doors doing today?
31. Whats this about a Jim Morrison postage stamp?

1. History behind alt.music.the-doors.

The newsgroup alt.music.the-doors was created by Dave Thompson in February 1994, after observing people asking the same question every week about his favourite band. "Is there a newsgroup for The Doors?"

The purpose of alt.music.the-doors is to provide a forum for discussion and exchange of questions, ideas, views, and information about anything to do with Jim Morrison and the musical group, The Doors. Everyone is invited to take part in this discussion by sharing their views, ideas, opinions, experience and information.

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2. Who was in The Doors?

James Douglas Morrison (b. December 8 1943 in Melbourne, Florida
- lead singer d. July 3 1971 in Paris, France)

Raymond Daniel Manzarek (b. February 12 1939 in Chicago, Illinois)
- keyboards

John Paul Densmore (b. December 1 1944 in Santa Monica, California)
- percussion

Robert Alan Krieger (b. January 8 1946 in Los Angeles, California)
- guitar

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3. How did The Doors get their name?

The name `The Doors' was Jim's idea and it was inspired by a quote from William Blake, "If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear as it is, infinite." Jim himself was fond of saying, "there are things known and things unknown and in between are The Doors."

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4. When and where were The Doors formed?

The Doors were formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California. Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek had known each other at UCLA where they majored in film. In the summer of 1965, Manzarek was on the beach in Venice when Morrison came walking toward him. Jim sat down and the two them started talking about what they had been doing during the summer. Jim said he had been writing some songs. Ray asked him to sing one of them. Jim sang a few lines from Moonlight Drive. Ray was very impressed with the lyrics and suggested the two of them form a rock band. Jim said that that was his idea all along.

The very first line-up of the band consisted of Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek, along with Ray's two brothers, Rick and Jim. There was no bass player or regular drummer. They just hired whomever they could whenever they landed a gig. Then Ray met John Densmore at the Third Street Meditation center in Los Angeles. Ray and John were both disciples of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who opened the center in 1965. Ray invited John to join the group and be their regular drummer. In late 1965, Rick and Jim Manzarek quit the band as they seemed to be on a fast road to nowhere. They had shopped a demo tape around with little interest until Billy James at Columbia Records signed them to a deal. However once signed, Columbia did not show much interest in actually developing the band. On top of all this, they now had to replace Rick Manzarek who had been their guitar player.

Ray remembered another guy at the Meditation center who was a guitar player. He was a friend of John Densmore, named Robby Krieger. When Robby went to audition for The Doors he fit right in. Like the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle, the band was now complete. Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, Robby Krieger and Jim Morrison were now, The Doors.

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5. What instruments did The Doors use?

Ray Manzarek started off using a Wurlitzer electric keyboard. He then switched to a Vox Continental organ. He put a Fender Rhodes Piano Bass on top of the Vox. He used the Vox for about two and a half albums and then started using a Gibson Kalamazoo.

Robby Kreiger started with a 1964 Gibson Melody Maker. This guitar was stolen so he then used a Gibson SG Special. For bottleneck playing, he used a Gibson Les Paul.

John Densmore started off with Gretsch drums. One tom-tom on the bass, one floor tom and a snare. He then switched to Ludwig for the third album. He used a basic four-piece setup of snare, bass, and two tom-toms. He used Zildjian cymbals for the first three albums and then switched to Paiste 605s.

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6. What studio albums were released on the Elektra label?

THE DOORS

(January 1967, available on CD)

Break On Through (To The Other Side) / Soul Kitchen / The Crystal Ship / Twentieth Century Fox / Alabama Song (Whisky Bar) / Light My Fire / Back Door Man / I Looked At You / End Of The Night / Take It As It Comes / The End

STRANGE DAYS

(October 1967, available on CD)

Strange Days / You're Lost Little Girl / Love Me Two Times / Unhappy Girl / Horse Latitudes / Moonlight Drive / People Are Strange / My Eyes Have Seen You / I Can't See Your Face In My Mind / When The Music's Over

WAITING FOR THE SUN

(July 1968, available on CD)

Hello, I Love You / Love Street / Not To Touch The Earth / Summer's Almost Gone / Wintertime Love / The Unknown Soldier / Spanish Caravan / My Wild Love / We Could Be So Good Together / Yes, The River Knows / Five To One

THE SOFT PARADE

(July 1969, available on CD)

Tell All The People / Touch Me / Shaman's Blues / Do It / Easy Ride / Wild Child / Runnin' Blue / Wishful Sinful / The Soft Parade

MORRISON HOTEL

(February 1970, available on CD)

Roadhouse Blues / Waiting For The Sun / You Make Me Real / Peace Frog / Blue Sunday / Ship Of Fools / Land Ho! / The Spy / Queen Of The Highway / Indian Summer / Maggie M'Gill

L. A. WOMAN

(April 1971, available on CD)

The Changeling / Love Her Madly / Been Down So Long / Cars Hiss By My Window / L. A. Woman / L'America / Hyacinth House / Crawling King Snake / The Wasp (Texas Radio And The Big Beat) / Riders On The Storm

AN AMERICAN PRAYER

(November 1979, available on CD)

Awake / Ghost Song / Dawn's Highway / To Come of Age / Black Polished Chrome Latino Chrome / Angels and Sailors / The Movie / Curses Invocations / American Night / Roadhouse Blues / Lament / The Hitchhiker / An American Prayer / + 3 bonus tracks on CD version, Babylon Fading / Bird of Prey / The Ghost Song

This album is Jim's spoken poetry with newly recorded music by The Doors playing in the background.

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7. What other Elektra albums were released?

ABSOLUTELY LIVE

(July 1970, not available on CD)

Who Do You Love / Medley: [ Alabama Song (Whisky Bar) / Back Door Man / Love Hides / Five To One ] / Build Me A Woman / When The Music's Over / Close To You / Universal Mind / Break On Through #2 / The Celebration Of The Lizard / Soul Kitchen

The liner notes say this album was recorded in New York and Philadelphia. Based on Jim's conversations with the audience, the New York material is almost certainly from the shows on January 17 & 18, 1970 at the Felt Forum. The Philadelphia show was either the one in the summer of '69 or the one at the Spectrum in April 1970. Hopkins & Sugerman's book No One Here Gets Out Alive, however, claims that this recording of The Celebration Of The Lizard was from the Aquarius Theatre in Hollywood. Who Do You Love is definitely from Philadelphia, and When The Music's Over is definitely from New York.

All the songs on this album are available on the In Concert 2-CD set.

ALIVE SHE CRIED

(November 1983, available on CD)

Gloria / Light My Fire (including Graveyard Poem) / You Make Me Real / Texas Radio And The Big Beat / Love Me Two Times / Little Red Rooster / Moonlight Drive (including Horse Latitudes)

The liner notes say these songs were recorded between 68-70 in Los Angeles, New York, Detriot, Boston and Copenhagen. The Copenhagen tracks are Texas Radio And The Big Beat and Love Me Two Times, which were recorded for a TV show in Denmark in 1968. Gloria was the sound check for one of the two Monday night performances at the Aquarius Theatre in Hollywood, July 1969. The presence of John Sebastian marks Little Red Rooster as coming from the Felt Forum, New York shows on January 17 and 18, 1970. The only concerts in Detroit and Boston that I know of are the April 9, 1970 Boston show and the 1970 Cobo Hall show in Detroit.

All the songs on this album are available on the In Concert 2-CD set.

LIVE AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL

(June 1987, available on CD)

Wake Up / Light My Fire / Unknown Soldier / A Little Game / The Hill Dwellers / Spanish Caravan / Light My Fire (edit) [CD only]

These songs were recorded on July 5th, 1969 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California.

IN CONCERT

(May 1990, available on CD)

House Announcer / Who Do You Love / Medley: [ Alabama Song (Whisky Bar) / Back Door Man / Love Hides / Five To One ] / Build Me A Woman / When The Music's Over / Universal Mind / Medley: [ Dead Cats, Dead Rats / Break On Through #2 ] / The Celebration Of The Lizard: [ Lions In The Street / Wake Up / A Little Game / The Hill Dwellers / Not To Touch The Earth / Names Of The Kingdom / The Palace Of Exile ] / Soul Kitchen / Roadhouse Blues / Gloria / Light My Fire (including Graveyard Poem) / You Make Me Real / Texas Radio And The Big Beat / Love Me Two Times / Little Red Rooster / Moonlight Drive (including Horse Latitudes) / Close To You / The Unknown Soldier / The End

This album is an encapsulation of all the material from Absolutely Live and Alive She Cried, with the live Roadhouse Blues that was issued as a single in 1979, the version of The Unknown Soldier from Live At The Hollywood Bowl, and the previously unreleased The End, also from the Hollywood Bowl concert.

The liner notes list Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Detroit and Copenhagen as being recording sites for this compilation. The material from Absolutely Live (the entire first disc and Close To You) was recorded in is from New York and Philadelphia. The tracks from Alive She Cried (from Gloria through Moonlight Drive/Horse Latitudes on the second disc) are from Los Angeles, New York, Detriot, Boston and Copenhagen. The Hollywood Bowl is in Los Angeles, so the two tracks from that concert are accounted for. Only Roadhouse Blues and Pittsburgh remain, so it is probably safe to assume that track is from that location.

13

(November 1970, not available on CD)

Light My Fire / People Are Strange / Back Door Man / Moonlight Drive / The Crystal Ship / Roadhouse Blues / Touch Me / Love Me Two Times / You're Lost Little Girl / Hello, I Love You / Wild Child / The Unknown Soldier

WEIRD SCENES INSIDE THE GOLDMINE

(January 1972, not available on CD)

Break On Through (To The Other Side) / Strange Days / Shaman's Blues / Love Street / Peace Frog / Blue Sunday / The Wasp / End Of The Night / Love Her Madly / Spanish Caravan / Ship Of Fools / The Spy / The End / Take It As It Comes / Runnin' Blue / L. A. Woman / Five To One / Who Scared You / Don't Go No Farther / Riders On The Storm / Maggie McGill / Horse Latitudes / When The Music's Over

This is the only collection to include the two b-side only tracks the Doors released: Who Scared You and Don't Go No Farther.

BEST OF THE DOORS

(August 1973, not available on CD)

Who Do You Love [live] / Soul Kitchen / Hello, I Love You / People Are Strange / Riders On The Storm / Touch Me / Love Her Madly / Love Me Two Times / Take It As It Comes / Moonlight Drive / Light My Fire

GREATEST HITS

(October 1980, available on CD)

Hello, I Love You / Light My Fire / People Are Strange / Love Me Two Times / Riders On The Storm / Break On Through (To The Other Side) / Roadhouse Blues / Not To Touch The Earth / Touch Me / L. A. Woman / + 2 bonus tracks on CD, Ghost Song / The End (from Apocolypse Now) * Not To Touch The Earth dropped from CD.

CLASSICS

(May 1985, not available on CD)

Strange Days / Love Her Madly / Waiting For The Sun / My Eyes Have Seen You / Wild Child / The Crystal Ship / Five To One / Roadhouse Blues [live] / Land Ho! / I Can't See You Face In My Mind / Peace Frog / The Wasp (Texas Radio And The Big Beat) / The Unknown Soldier

THE BEST OF THE DOORS

(June 1987, available on CD)

Break On Through (To The Other Side) / Light My Fire / The Crystal Ship / People Are Strange / Strange Days / Love Me Two Times / Alabama Song [CD/tape only] / Five To One / Waiting For The Sun / Spanish Caravan / When The Music's Over / Hello, I Love You / Roadhouse Blues / L. A. Woman / Riders On The Storm / Touch Me / Love Her Madly / The Unknown Soldier / The End

This is the only proper greatest hits collection available on CD.

THE DOORS: ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK RECORDING

(March 1991, available on CD)

The Movie / Riders On The Storm / Love Street / Break On Through / The End / Light My Fire / Ghost Song / Roadhouse Blues [live] / Heroin [Lou Reed, performed by the Velvet Underground] / Carmina Burana: Introduction [Carl Orff, performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra] / Stoned Immaculate / When The Music's Over / The Severed Garden (Adagio) / L. A. Woman

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8. What studio albums were recorded after Jim's death?

Other Voices

(November 1971, not available on CD)

In The Eye Of The Sun / Variety Is The Spice Of Life / Ships w/ Sails / Tightrope Ride / Down On The Farm / I'm Horny, I'm Stoned / Wandering Musician / Hang On To Your Life

Full Circle

(July 1972, not available on CD)

Get Up And Dance / 4 Billion Souls / Verdilac / Hardwood Floor / Good Rockin / The Mosquito / The Piano Bird / It Slipped My Mind / The Peking King And The New York Queen

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9. What is their number one selling album and single?

The number one selling single is really no surprise. It is `Light My Fire'. It was the #1 song on the National Top 40 for three weeks and in the National Top 40 for a total of fourteen weeks.

Sources point to L.A. Woman as being their best selling album. If anyone can find proof that this is true, please let us know the source of the information.

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10. Is Elektra going to release a Doors box set?

This is a very frustrating topic as any Doors fan can attest to. There has been rumour and conjecture regarding a release date for the box set. The date is always getting pushed back. All I can do is pass on what I hear from sources. As it stands now, the box set is due to be released in 1996.

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11. What books are available on The Doors?

Clarke, Ross. "The Doors. Dance On Fire". Chesington, Surrey: Castle Communications PLC, 1993.

Dalton, David. "Mr. Mojo Risin', Jim Morrison The Last Holy Fool". London: Spade & Archer, 1990.

Densmore, John. "Riders On The Storm". New York: Delacorte Press, 1990.

Doe, Andrew, and John Tobler. "The Doors in Their Own Words". London: Omnibus Press, 1988.

Hopkins, Jerry. "The Lizard King, The Essential Jim Morrison". New York: Macmillan/Collier Books, 1993.

Hopkins, Jerry and Danny Sugerman. "No One Here Gets Out Alive". New York: Warner Books, 1980.
(Also available on CD and cassette. Warner Bros. Audio Video Entertainment Copyright 1995)

Huddleston, Judy. "This Is The End, My Only Friend/Living and Dying With Jim Morrison". New York: Shapolsky Publishers, 1991.

Jahn, Mike. "Jim Morrison And The Doors". New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1969.

Jones, Dylan. "Dark Star". London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 1990 (American edition, New York: Viking, 1991)

Kennealy, Patricia. "Strange Days, My Life With and Without Jim Morrison". New York: Dutton, 1992.

Lisciandro, Frank. "An Hour for Magic". New York: Delilah Books, 1982.

Lisciandro, Frank. "Morrison, A Feast of Friends". New York: Warner Books, Inc. 1991.

Lisciandro, Frank, ed. "Wilderness: The Lost Writing of Jim Morrison, Volume 1". New York: Random House and Vintage Books, 1988.

Mooney, Jim, ed. "Light My Fire". New York: Zepplin, 1978.

Riordan, James and Jerry Prochnicky. "Break on Through, The Life and Death of Jim Morrison". New York: William Morrow/Quill, 1991.

Ruhlmann, William. "The Doors". London: Bison Books Ltd. 1991.

Seymore, Bob. "The End. The Death of Jim Morrison. London: Omnibus Press, 1990.

Sugerman, Danny. "The Doors: The Illustrated History". New York: William Morrow & Co./Quill, 1983.

Sugerman, Danny. "Wonderland Avenue". New York: William Morrow & Co., 1989.

Taylor, Derek. "It Was Twenty Years Ago Today". New York: Fireside Books, 1987.

Tobler, John and Andrew Doe. "The Doors In Their Own Words". London: Omnibus Press, 1988.

Fowlie, Wallace. "Rimbaud and Jim Morrison". Duke University Press, 1994.

Crisafulli, Chuck. "Moonlight Drive". Carlton Books Limited, 1995

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12. What books of poetry did Jim write?

Morrison, James Douglas. "The Lords". Los Angeles: Western Lithographers, 1969. Private publishing of 100 copies.

Morrison, James Douglas. "The New Creatures". Los Angeles: Western Lithographers, 1969. Private publishing of 100 copies.

Morrison, James Douglas. "An American Prayer". Los Angeles: Western Lithographers, 1970. Private publishing of 100 copies.

Morrison, James Douglas. "An American Prayer". New York: Zepplin, 1983.

Morrison, James Douglas. "The Lords & The New Creatures". New York: Simon and Schuster, 1971.

Morrison, Jim. "The American Night". New York: Villard Books, 1990.

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13. What offical videos have been released?

Forbes, Gorden, dir. "The Doors: A Tribute To Jim Morrison". Hollywood: Warner Home Video, 1981. Mono sound, 60 minutes.

Justman, Paul and Ray Manzarek, dirs. "The Doors Live in Europe 1968". New York: HBO Video, 1988. Mono sound, 58 minutes.

Leo, Malcolm, dir. "Rolling Stone Presents Twenty Years Of Rock And Roll" Hollywood: MGM/UA Home Video, 1987. VHS Hi-Fi Stereo, 97 minutes.

Manzarek, Ray, dir. "The Doors Dance On Fire Classic Performances And Greatest Hits" Universal City: MCA Universal Home Video, 1985. VHS Hi-Fi Stereo, 65 minutes.

Manzarek, Ray, dir. "The Doors Live At The Hollywood Bowl" MCA Home Video, 1990. 65 minutes.

Manzarek, Ray, dir. "The Doors The Soft Parade A Retrospective" Universal City: MCA Universal Home Video, 1991. VHS Hi-Fi Stereo, 50 minutes.

Sheppard, John, dir. "Live #2 The Doors The Doors Are Open" Hollywood: Warner Reprise Video, 1968. VHS Hi-Fi Stereo, 60 minutes.

Stone, Oliver, dir. "The Doors". Hollywood: 1991, 135 minutes.

Schmidlin, Rick, dir. "The Doors Collection". MCA Home Video Inc. 1995. Laserdisc Digital Stereo, 3 hours 38 minutes.

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14. Are there any Doors fan-clubs?

The Doors Collectors Club (WWW site: http://www.doors.com/)
c/o TDM Inc.
P.O. Box 1441
Orem, Utah
84059-1441
United States

Membership fees are $20.00 in the US, $25.00 in Canada and $30.00 for overseas. All fees are payable in US funds and entitle you to a one year membership which includes four issues of the Doors Collectors Magazine, personal membership card and a quarterly list of rare and unusual Doors memorabilia.

The Doors Appreciation Society
c/o Richard Bond
11 Telford Way
High Wycombe
Bucks HP13 5EB
England

Membership includes publication of `The Soft Parade', published quarterly. Send one IRC for information or $18.00 US for a one year subscription.

Doors Quarterly Magazine
Am Oelvebach 5
D. 4150 Krefeldatum 12
Germany
Subscription rates, BRD 25 DM; Europe 30 DM; Overseas 35 DM. (DM= deutsch mark)

The Doors Fan Club of Italy
HWY
c/o Antonio Romanazzi
Via Agucchi N 18
40131 Bologna Italy
Phone/FAX: (011) 39-5138-2680

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15. Are there any Doors tribute bands?

Yes. Look for the following bands in your area.
(All information is compiled quarterly from The Doors Collector Magazine and is subject to change.)

Soft Parade (Featuring Joe Russo)
For information call: (212) 255-0800

Wild Child (Featuring Dave Brock)
For information call: (714) 520-4801

Back Doors (Featuring Jim Hakim)
For information call: (301) 854-0888

Moonlight Drive (Featuring Bill Pettijohn)
For information call: (216) 251-5542

Riders On The Storm (Featuring Eamon Cronin)
For information call/fax: (860) 257-7500

Morrison Hotel (Featuring Ron Speck)
For information call: (216) 882-8176

Ancient Lunatics (Featuring Mike Fox)
For information write: 9737 E. 33rd, Suite 923, Tulsa, OK 74146

Morrison (Featuring Ron Montanaro) For information write: 1750 Kala Kaua Ave, #821, Honolulu, HI 96826

Break On Through (Featuring Ed Coloracci)
For information call: (516) 360-7878

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16. Where can I get Doors files on-line?

Doors lyrics are available by anonymous ftp at the following site:

ftp.uwp.edu/pub/music/lyrics/d/doors/

Doors guitar chords are available by anonymous ftp at the following site:

ftp.uwp.edu/pub/music/guitar/d/doors/

Doors pictures are available by anonymous ftp at the following site:

ftp.uwp.edu/pub/music/pictures/d/doors/

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17. Are there any Doors sites on the World Wide Web?

There exists several sites on the World Wide Web. These sites have been compiled from postings to alt.music.the-doors

The Doors Homepage:

http://www.vis.colostate.edu/~user1209/doors/

Images of Jim's grave can be found at the following:

http://antics.com/doors/jim.html

http://www.sii.com/~patrick/photos.html

Some of Jim's poetry can be found at:

http://www.utu.fi/~jounsmed/asc/jdm.html

Elektra records can be found at:

http://www.elektra.com/

Doors Collector Magazine:

http://www.doors.com/

Morrison Hotel:

http://alfa.di.uminho.pt/rufbin/home/

Lyrics, some poetry and miscellanious items:

http://www.aleph.it/andre/doors/Soulkitchen.html

Poetry and miscellanious items:

http://www.helsinki.fi/~palotie/Doors.html

Dawn's HWY:

http://www.nwmissouri.edu/~0211170/doors.html

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18. Who was Pamela Courson?

Pamela Susan Courson was born December 22, 1946 in Weed, California. She met Jim at Gazzarri's Club in L.A. while an art student at Los Angeles City College.

At the time of their meeting she was nineteen years old. She would become Jim's steady companion for the next five years until his death in 1971. Their relationship could be described as love-hate. They loved each other deeply, but they also fought often and abused each other. She was the one woman who could and did stand up to Jim. She could dish it out to him as well as he could to her. They both had flings on the side with other people but they always came back to each other in the end. Pamela was to take the name Morrison later on in their relationship even though she never actually married Jim.

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19. What is the official cause of Jim's death?

Jim Morrison was found dead in the bathtub at approximately 5:00 am on July 3, 1971. On July 2, Jim had accompanied Pamela Courson to see a movie. After watching the movie they returned to their apartment, and he went to bed. He awoke some time later coughing and complaining of chest pains. He decided to take a bath. On the morning of July 3, Pamela awoke to see Jim still in the bathtub. She went into the bathroom and discovered he was dead. The death certificate simply stated he died as a result of heart failure. It was speculated that a blood clot from a respiratory illness made its way through his bloodstream where it stopped his heart, while he took his bath. There has since been speculation that Jim died of a drug overdose, possibly taking heroin thinking that it was cocaine. However there is no proof and no autopsy was ever performed.

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20. Where is Jim buried and is his body to be moved?

Jim was buried July 8, 1971 at Pere-Lachaise cemetary in Paris, France. Pere-Lachaise is one of Paris' oldest, most prestigious cemetaries. Many famous people are buried here including, Chopin and Oscar Wilde.

Jim's plot was originally leased for a thirty year period, due to expire in 2001. This has fueled the rumour that his body is going to be removed from Pere-Lachaise during that year. This is because the relatives of the deceased at Pere-Lachaise have petitioned to have his body removed. The reason given is that many people who call themselves fans have desecrated tombs and headstones with graffiti and left behind much litter after visiting the cemetary. Recent information has come to light indicating that the French government has designated Jim's grave as a cultural heritage site and that he is staying put. I am awaiting confirmation on this information. But if Jim is to be moved, it is not known where he would go. The popular rumour is that he would be moved to Los Angeles.

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21. What do the strange letters on the headstone mean?

The following words are written in Greek on Jim's headstone.

KAWA TON /\AIMONA EAYTOY

-- I have seen more than one translation for these words. I am including more than one translation since I really don't know for sure if one is more correct than the other. They seem to have one theme in common though, and that is demons or the devil.

1. `Burn your own demon'.
2. `Against the devil himself'.
3. `Faithful to his spirit'.

Recently obtained information indicates that Jim's father is responsible for the Greek inscription. Reports suggest that there was a `better late than never' reconciliation with his late son. Back in 1991, Jim's father replaced the original headstone wtih the new one bearing the Greek inscription. It would seem that translation number 3, `Faithful to his spirit', is the true translation. When you give it some thought, it does seem appropriate. I am trying to track down the original source of this information to verify it myself but until then I'll leave it at this.

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22. How and when did Pamela Courson die?

Pamela Susan Courson Morrison died April 25, 1974 in her Hollywood apartment of a heroin overdose. Pamela's parents originally intended to have her buried with Jim at Pere-Lachaise cemetary. Pamela's father listed Pere LaChaise as the burial place on her death certificate. However, due to the enormous red- tape involved in transporting a body to a foreign country for burial, her parents had her cremated remains buried at Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana, California.

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23. Who is Patricia Kennealy and was she married to Jim?

Patricia Kennealy was editor Of "Jazz and Pop" magazine when she met Jim Morrison in 1969. She met Jim at the Plaza Hotel in New York City for an interview. Not only was Kennealy a magazine editor, but she was also a practicing witch. The question of marriage is a thorn in the side of many fans because she currently goes by the last name of Morrison. While there is no doubt that she married Jim in a pagan ceremony (handfasting), the marriage is not recognized as legal. Kennealy has admitted such but maintains that it was a spiritual committment between Jim and herself and many fans support and believe her. On the other hand, the fact that Jim did not mention the ceremony to many of his friends and that he returned consistently to Pamela Courson until his death, seems to support the opposing view that Jim participated in the ceremony for kicks and that he didn't take his relationship with Kennealy seriously.

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24. Why was Jim arrested in New Haven, Conneticut?

On December 9, 1967, the Doors were scheduled to play a concert in New Haven, Conneticut. Jim Morrison had turned 24 years of age the day before. His birthday had not been a joyous occasion because the Doors concert on December 8 in Troy, New York had been a huge disappointment. The Troy crowd did not respond well to Jim Morrison and the applause after the concert died quickly. In fact, there was no encore at this concert. The Doors departed quickly and Jim decided to take a limo all the way back to New York city instead of taking the plane. Jim was depressed and hoped that New Haven would be more receptive the next night.

The New Haven crowd seemed to be waiting in anxious anticipation of something special about to happen. Policemen provided security at the show and they lined the hallways making sure that no one could get backstage. Before the show started, Jim met a local college girl. He wanted to talk to her in private and they located a shower stall near the dressing room. Shortly after entering the stall, the young couple began making out. At this point a police officer happened upon the scene. He failed to recognize Jim as the lead singer of the Doors and ordered him and the girl to clear out. Jim refused to move. The officer repeated the order and Jim again refused, telling the officer, "Eat it!" The officer withdrew his can of mace and offered Jim one last chance. Jim responded, "Last chance to eat it!" The officer now lost his patience and fired the mace directly into Jim's face.

Jim screamed in pain from the effects of the mace. He stumbled down the hall to the dressing room with tears streaming down his face. The Doors manager Bill Siddons informed the police just who it was they maced. The officer who maced Jim, explained he hadn't known who Jim was but he still wanted to arrest him. Siddons, fearing a riot if the star attraction was hauled off to jail, pleaded with the police to let Jim take the stage. The police relented and Jim and the officer apologized to each other. Before long the Doors hit the stage. The crowd was very enthusiastic in New Haven. Jim responded by moving and jumping about the stage. The crowd was going wild and shouting along with Jim as he screamed the lyrics to "When The Music's Over." They exictedly applauded Jim's every move onstage. The last song of the night was "Backdoor Man." During the instrumental break, Jim started talking to the crowd. Policemen lined the stage and the areas just offstage. Jim began telling the people how he met a girl prior to the concert. He continued on...

"We started talking and we wanted some privacy and so we went into this shower room. We weren't doing anything you know. Just standing there and talking. And then this little man came in there, this little man in a litle blue suit and a little blue cap. And he said, "What ya' doin' there?" "Nothing." But he didn't go away. He stood there. And then he reached 'round behind him and he brought out this little black can of somethin'. Looked like shaving cream, and then he sprayed it in my eyes. I was blinded for about thirty minutes."

After this speach, Jim returned to singing the song when the lights suddenly came on. Jim asked that the lights be turned off. In a matter of seconds, Jim was flanked by two policemen. Jim offered the microphone to Lt. Kelly so he could say his thing. At this point, Ray Manzarek approached Jim. Just then, the officer grabbed the mike and the two officers started dragging Jim off the stage. The police said the concert was over and everyone was to go home. On this night, Jim Morrison had taunted and embarrassed the police. The police weren't going to stand for it. They chose to flaunt their authority by arresting Jim and making a scene. Once they had Jim out of the view of the audience, they proceeded to punch and kick him repeatedly before throwing him into a cruiser and bringing him to the station.

According to the official police report, Jim was arrested when he began using vile and filthy language while relating a sexually expicit story. This was totally false information. The police said they arrested Jim when they began receiving complaints from people in the audience. It was obvious though that the police were angry and embarrassed, so they arrested jim on trumped-up charges. It is amazing to compare the official police report to eye-witness testimony. The police allege that Jim was arrested for an indecent performance yet it is clear that he was simply telling a truthful story to the audience. Jim said nothing that was sexually obscene. The police allege Jim resisted arrest. There are plenty of witnesses who saw the police beat Jim and yet Jim did not even fight back. This charge was invented to justify the injuries that were inflicted upon Jim.

Jim Morrison had become the first rock star to be arrested while on-stage, yet the police had no grounds upon which to lay charges. They could not admit in their report that he was arrested because he had embarrassed them. They clearly invented these charges and it would be obvious to the most casual observer. The only fabric of truth in their report was a reference to the girl in the shower stall. Charges were eventually dropped but it proved to foreshadow trouble yet to come. It made Jim Morrison noticeable to the authorities and this would become painfully obvious in Miami.

Jim never forgot the New Haven incident. Recollections of the bust echo in the song, "Peace Frog" in the line, "Blood in the streets in the town of New Haven." It would appear that strange days had finally tracked Jim Morrison down.

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25. What happened in Miami, Florida in 1969?

The Doors were scheduled to play a concert at the Dinner Key Auditorium on March 1, 1969. The Doors manager, Bill Siddons had made a deal with the Miami promoter, Ken Collier to accept a flat fee of $25,0000 instead of sixty percent of the gross receipts. Collier then sold bewteen eight to nine thousand tickets at more than the agreed price. Collier also removed seats to allow more people into the auditorium. An auditorium designed to hold seven thousand people was now packed tight with about thirteen thousand.

Jim Morrison missed his scheduled flight into Miami and spent the time waiting for the next flight, drinking in the airport lounge. Once he boarded the plane he continued drinking. During a stopover in New Orleans he missed his flight again and consumed even more drinks waiting for the next flight. By the time he reached Miami he was extremely drunk. Once he took the stage he was almost falling down drunk. He was abusive towards the audience, he would start a song only to stop it after a few lines, he would bum even more drinks from members of the audience. At some point in the concert he then asked the audience, "Do you wanna see my cock?" He allegedly then exposed himself for a brief instant and continued on with the show.

The next day the Doors started a planned vacation. While out of the country, the press in Miami had a field day with the alleged exposure incident. Pressure was put on local officials to do something about it. On March 5 1969, Bob Jennings from the state attorney's office acted as complainant. A warrant was issued for the arrest of Jim Morrison on one felony count of lewd and lascivious behaviour and three misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure, open profanity and drunkenness.

Jim turned himself in to the FBI in Los Angeles on April 4, 1969. On November 9, 1969 he entered a not guilty plea in Miami. The trial did not start until August 12, 1970. Max Fink was Jim's defence lawyer, the prosecuter was Terrence McWilliams and Judge Murray Goodman presided over the case. Much evidence was heard from witnesses for both sides. Most of it was contradictory. On September 20, 1970 the jury found Jim Morrison guilty on the misdemeanor charges of indecent exposure and profanity. He was found not guilty on the felony charge and the misdemeanor for drunkenness. He was released on a $50,000 bond and returned to Miami on October 30, 1970 for sentencing.

Judge Goodman sentenced Jim to six months of hard labor and a $500 fine for public exposure and sixty days of hard labor for profanity. The sentences would run concurrently. He would be eligible for release after two months and would be on probation for two years and four months. His lawyer filed an immediate appeal. Until the appeal could be heard, Jim would be free on the $50,000 bond.

Jim Morrison was to die in Paris, France July 3, 1971 before his legal problems could be resolved.

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26. Who was 'Mr. Mojo'?

Mr. Mojo makes his appearance in the song L.A. Woman. The verse goes something like this,

Mr. Mojo Risin', Mr. Mojo Risin'
Mr. Mojo Risin', Mr. Mojo Risin'
Got to keep on risin'
Mr. Mojo Risin', Mr. Mojo Risin'

etc., etc.

One thing we know for sure is that `Mr. Mojo Risin' is a perfect anagram. Re-arrange the letters and it spells `Jim Morrison'. The only other thing we know is from John Densmore's book. In his book, John says, "Since it contained the black slang word mojo (for sexual prowess), I got the idea to steadily increase the tempo back up to the orginal speed, a la orgasm."

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27. Whats that phrase at the end of `Touch Me'?

Right at the end of this song, a phrase can be heard that many people do not quite hear correctly or else wonder where it came from. The phrase is; "Stronger than dirt". The origin of this is from a television commercial that was playing on-air in the late 1960's. The line was used as a slogan for the houshold cleanser, Ajax.

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28. Where did The Doors (with Jim) perform their last concert?

The Doors last public performance was at the Warehouse in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 12, 1970.

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29. Was the movie `The Doors' accurate?

It is generally agreed upon by Doors purists that Oliver Stone's movie was not a true representation of Jim Morrison and The Doors. While the movie had some great music in it and the actors did a fine job, (particularly Val Kilmer as Jim) it seems that Stone took some liberties with the film. The film only shows the dark, self-destructive side of Jim. He is portrayed as an out-of-control, abusive drunk. Certainly that was a part of his persona. But there was much much more to the man as any true Doors fan can tell you. And Stone for whatever reason chose not to explore the poetic and intellectual side of Jim. At least not to any great extent. Unfortunately, the movie has only reinforced the idea among the general populace that Jim Morrison was nothing but an obnoxious, pathetic rock-and-roll singing alcoholic. Ray Manzarek has gone on record as saying that several scenes in the movie never took place. Scenes like the turkey dinner, the closet fire and the song `Light My Fire' being used in a commercial. Those of you have seen the movie know which scenes these are, those of you who have yet to see the movie, keep these scenes in mind.

This writer would recommend that you see the movie for the music and Val Kilmer's portrayal of Jim. But, for someone who wants to learn more about The Doors and the `real' Jim Morrison, please read some of the books mentioned above and get your hands on some of the official video releases.

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30. What are the remaining Doors doing today?

Ray has been working in partnership with poet Michael McClure. During their performance, McClure recites his poetry and Ray accompanies Michael on the piano. They have released a CD called `Love Lion'. The CD is on the Shanachie Records label.

John has been touring with writer Michael Ventura. They do poetry and dramatic readings.

Robby is busy with his own band called, 'The Robby Kreiger Organization'. Robbie and his band have just released a new CD on One Way Records called, RKO Live! This new CD contains 4 Doors classics, Back Door Man, Spanish Caravan, Riders On The Storm and Light My Fire.

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31. Whats this about a Jim Morrison postage stamp?

I was contacted by the co-chair of the Morrison Commemorative Postage Stamp committee and asked to include in the FAQ information about how you can support the campaign to get a stamp issued. This subject has created controversy in the newsgroup, dividing people into two opposing sides. Some people are against the idea saying Jim himself would not stand for it, some people think its a great idea and say Jim would get a kick out of it. I am not taking a position either way. I am just presenting the following information and people can decide for themselves if they want to support it or not.

IF ELVIS GETS A STAMP, WHY NOT JIM?

Doors fans arise! We need your help in our international effort to put Jim Morrison on a commemorative U.S. postage stamp.

How do we accomplish that? A little background. A group called the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee comprising 12 members appointed by the U.S. Postmaster General meets four times a year to consider nominations for commemorative postage stamps. As you well know, Elvis Presley passed the Committee's muster some time ago and is featured on a stamp issued in January 1993, the first of a "Legends of American Music" series that has since included a wide range of other American musicians.

Certainly no "Legends of American Music" series would be complete without the Doors. And Jim Morrison fits the other prerequisite for getting on a stamp--he's been dead for at least 10 years. Or at least we think he has been.

So here's how you can help: Write to the individual members of the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee (names and address follow). Tell them in your own words what the music of the Doors has meant to you and why Jim Morrison should be put on a stamp. They're there to listen to you, and a representative of the Committee told us they've heard from a lot of Doors fans already. They need to hear from a lot more. Remember--they've got the guns but we've still got the numbers!

Jim Morrison would have been 50 years old on December 8, 1993. On that day the Morrison Commemorative Stamp Committee formally petitioned the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee to put the real king--the Lizard King--on a stamp. With your help and letters it can happen.

We want a stamp and we want it now. Tell all the people.

The Morrison Commemorative Stamp Committee is trying to recover its out-of-pocket expenses for this modest effort through the sale of classy commemorative T-shirts featuring a brilliant red lizard w/gold crown crawlin' across a black tee. To get your own limited edition, high-quality shirt (sizes L and XL), and to help defray the costs of our campaign, send $15 in check or money order to: Morrison Commemorative Stamp Committee, PO Box 14985, Minneapolis, MN 55414. All proceeds are plowed back into postage and other expenses--so far we're still in the hole!

FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CITIZENS' STAMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE:

Dr. Virginia Noelke, San Angelo, TX, historian and professor of history, Angelo State University. (Chairwoman)

Dr. C. Douglas Lewis, Washington, DC, curator of sculpture, National Gallery of Art. (Vice-chairman)

David Lewis Eynon, Bryn Mawr, PA, executive vice president, Amichetti, Lewis and Associates Inc.

Karl Malden, Beverly Hills, CA, actor & president of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Stephen T. McLin, San Francisco, CA, president, American First Financial Corp. Mary Ann Owens, Brooklyn, NY, international stamp show judge and topical stamp collector.

Richard "Digger" Phelps, Notre Dame, IN, former head basketball coach, Notre Dame, and stamp colector.

John Sawyer III, Laguna Niguel, CA, area market manager, Jostens Learning Corp.

Ron Robinson, Little Rock, AR, chairman and CEO, Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods.

Barbara Gardner Proctor, Chicago, IL, president, Proctor and Gardner Advertising Inc.

Michael Brock, Los Angeles, CA, designer.

Meredith Davis, Raleigh, NC, graphic design professor, North Carolina State University School of Design.

SEND ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO:

(NAME OF MEMBER)
CITIZENS STAMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE
C/O STAMP MANAGEMENT
475 L'ENFANT PLAZA SW, ROOM 5301
WASHINGTON, DC 20260-2420

COPY THIS LIST AND PASS ALONG TO OTHER DOORS FANS!

Let's put the real King--the Lizard King--on a stamp!
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"This is the end, beautiful friend".

--JDM


To contact the curator of the online version of this FAQ send email Lyle Dodge at dodgly@usa.net
Online Version of the FAQ last modified: 9-May-96

To contact the curator of the contents of the FAQ send email to Dave Thompson at ar025@freenet.carleton.ca
Text version of the FAQ last modified: 31-Mar-96

Contents of this FAQ are ©1994, 1995, 1996 Dave Thompson and Victoria Ridley
HTMLizing of this document is ©1996, 1997 Lyle E. Dodge