My Personal Opinion Of Jim Morrison

Jim Morrison was the obvious catalyst of The Doors, the web weaver who could swing the tides of the music with his every word or action. It was he who commanded the band's sound and energy, without ever having to verbally order or demand the sound he needed behind him. He was a beat poet who never really received the recognition he deserved. He wasn't the greatest Modern poet by any means, but did write some quality material. Some of his material is pretty vulgar and purposefully lewd, as he sought a combination of shock value and artistry in his words. Of course, many Doors songs revolve around his poetic strings pulling the mood and energy of the music.

As a vocalist, just a sheer singer, he had a wide range of soul and feel in his tenor and baritone. His voice evolved through the the band's short, seven year span as a quartet. Morrison went from having a smooth, powerful, but warm sound to eventually a more gruff, dry, bluesy growl. Listen to The Doors and then L.A. Woman to hear this significant difference. His change in tone had a lot to do with heavy drinking and cigarette smoking. No matter which voice he had, the man surely, especially when sober and interested, sang with great purpose and displayed a soulfulness within the context of usually very moody music.

Outside of his life as a musician and poet, Morrison was generally a disgraceful yet highly intelligent person, who could hold sway over a crowd of people (friends, fans) with humor and charm. But he was also known to become so intoxicated that he became repulsive, and people would avoid him or just walk away from him. These episodes happened more towards his drinking period. He'd walk into a club in L.A., talk to a woman, embarrass her with verbal abuse, and end up getting into a fight and kicked out to the street. When Morrison wasn't drinking, he was by all accounts a sharp, funny person who had a wordy sense of humor and was accommodating to his bandmates and friends. It is unfortunate that he became a victim to drinking. He had tried other substances (early on he regularly used LSD, usually in more powerful doses than what was considered normal back then), but didn't become attached to anything in particular. His constant drinking weakened his heart, and in Paris, in July 1971, after apparently trying heroin, he succumbed to heart failure, most likely, at the age of twenty-seven. This isn't official, but is widely believed. Morrison died a talented artist who couldn't shake certain demons, a wasted life and an ephemeral existence.

After having read and researched The Doors over the past 16 years, I believe it was a miracle that they were able to record six studio albums and tour for as long as they did. By 1968, their second year as a successful band, they had three albums out, and Morrison was already spinning out of control ever so gradually. It was around this time and after when he'd routinely miss rehearsals and recording sessions, sometimes going missing for a week or so. He was adopting a vagrant, almost transient lifestyle, all while being very wealthy. It seems clear that Morrison was psychopathic, or manic depressive, but was never diagnosed by a professional. He followed his muse to the end, not seeking or wanting any assistance from anyone. His narcissistic and nihilist behavior was countered by an ability to think deeply, interact productively, and display kindness. It is unfortunate that he never received the help he needed, to not only rehab his alcoholism, but to stabilize his mental welfare. Thankfully, somehow, The Doors were able to keep things together enough to release a strong body of work between 1967 and 1971.