Happy 40th Death Anniversary, Jim Morrison

By Mark Lorenz on July 3rd, 2011

40 years ago, Jim Morrison died under circumstances that were mysterious. Aliens were probably involved. Aliens who spoke in fluid elegies and administered hits of heroin.

This day, we celebrate his death by living the way he lived – extraordinarily and consistently drunk. I’m almost Morrisoned right now, six beers in and singing lyrics to the greatest hits of Frank Sinatra. To celebrate the anniversary of his death and his life, band members from The Doors placed flowers at his gravesite in France….no doubt the most tasteful thing people have placed at his grave. Seriously, have you seen it? It looks like a wall in Brooklyn. And not a tasteful wall after gentrification, the kind that people smear their lunches on as a ‘tribute’.

The Doors were one of the most influential and dominant bands of the 60’s, fueled by Morrison’s shamanic persona, jazz-tinged riffs from Robbie Krieger, and the demon hands of Ray Manzarek, tearing up the keyboards. They sold millions of albums, and continue to sell millions of albums to this day, complete with documentaries narrated by Johnny Depp, and books written about their heyday.

They just won’t die — because the music’s still good. So RIP, Jim Morrison….you would’ve been 68.

Comments

  1. Brandt Hardin

    July 3rd, 2011 - 1:47:18 PM

    Jim’s writing and lyrics have been with me since I was a teenager and influenced by own art. I drew a very surreal portrait of him for the 40th anniversary of his passing on my artist’s blog at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2011/07/celebration-of-lizard-king-jim-morrison.html Drop by and visit Jimbo AND his Shaman!

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  2. Zadoc Paet

    July 4th, 2011 - 1:32:45 AM

    Time to listen to some Doors albums! :) POLL: After being dead for 40 years, is Jim Morrison still influential on music today? Vote: http://www.wepolls.com/r/1032323

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