Morrison, Jim (1943-1971), was the lead singer and composer for the Doors, one of the best-known rock groups of the 1960’s. The Doors, led by Morrison, gained fame for their often outrageous stage performances and their music, which frequently dealt with violence, sex, and drugs.
Morrison composed and recorded several hit songs with the Doors, including “Light My Fire” (1967), “People Are Strange” (1967), “Hello, I Love You” (1968), “Touch Me” (1969), “Love Her Madly” (1971), and “Riders on the Storm” (1971). Rock fans particularly responded to Morrison’s emotional, often screaming singing style and frenzied stage presence.
James Douglas Morrison was born in Melbourne, Florida, on Dec. 8, 1943. He attended Florida State University in 1962 and 1963 and the University of California at Los Angeles in 1964 and 1965. During this time he read heavily, especially the works of the English poet William Blake and the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. Morrison founded the Doors in 1965 with keyboard player Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and drummer John Densmore. Morrison named the group the Doors from The Doors of Perception (1954) by Aldous Huxley, an English author. Huxley had taken the name of his book, which dealt with his experiments with drugs, from a poem by Blake. The band’s first album, The Doors (1967), created an immediate sensation.
Morrison also explored other interests. He wrote two books of poetry, An American Prayer (1970) and The Lords and New Creatures (1971). Several collections of his poetry and other writings were published after his death. He also wrote a motion-picture screenplay and appeared in two films.
Morrison left the Doors in 1971. He died in Paris on July 3, 1971. The official cause of death was listed as a heart attack. After his death, he became an idol to many young rock fans. In 1993, Morrison was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Doors.
