The Doors

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Formed 1965. Disbanded 1972.

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In Search of Jim Morrison

Suzi Quatro searches for the real Jim Morrison, the man behind the image. Contributors include Doors keyboard player Ray Manzarek and Jim's friend Alice Cooper.

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Biography

The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robby Krieger. The band took its name from the title of Aldous Huxley's book The Doors of Perception, which itself was a reference to a William Blake quotation: "If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, infinite." They were among the most controversial rock acts of the 1960s, due mostly to Morrison's wild, poetic lyrics and charismatic but unpredictable stage persona. After Morrison's death in 1971, the remaining members continued as a trio until finally disbanding in 1973.

They were signed to Elektra Records in 1966. The 1967 release of The Doors was the first in a series of top ten albums in the US, followed by Strange Days (1967), Waiting for the Sun (1968), The Soft Parade (1969), Morrison Hotel (1970), Absolutely Live (1970) and L.A. Woman (1971), with 19 Gold, 14 Platinum and 5 Multi-Platinum album awards in the United States alone. Although The Doors' active career ended in 1973, their popularity has persisted. According to the RIAA, they have sold 32.5 million certified units in the US. The band has sold over 100 million albums worldwide. Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger toured as "Manzarek–Krieger" or "Ray Manzarek & Robby Krieger of The Doors" for legal reasons, performing Doors songs exclusively. The Doors were the first American band to accumulate eight consecutive gold LPs. In 1993, The Doors were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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Links & Information

Latest News Stories

News from the BBC

  1. When You're Strange

    Thu 1 Jul 2010 15:38

    Unseen footage of The Doors in new documentary

BBC Reviews

  1. Live at the Bowl ‘68 2012

    Review of Live at the Bowl ‘68

    Reviewed by Chris Roberts

    Love or loathe The Doors, this will polish the windows of your perception.
  2. L.A. Woman – 40th Anniversary Edition 2012

    Review of L.A. Woman – 40th Anniversary Edition

    Reviewed by David Quantick

    One of the band’s best, and their final fling with erratic frontman Morrison.
  3. When You’re Strange: Songs From the Motion Picture 2010

    Review of When You’re Strange: Songs From the Motion Picture

    Reviewed by Paul Whitelaw

    A concise best-of in all but name, albeit with added Johnny Depp.
  4. Live At The Matrix 1967 2008

    Review of Live At The Matrix 1967

    Reviewed by Sid Smith

    Quite literally in the case of The Doors, the stuff of legend.
  5. Strange Days 1967

    Review of Strange Days

    Reviewed by Chris Jones

    Morrison's blitzed lounge singer act.
  6. The Doors 1967

    Review of The Doors

    Reviewed by Sean Egan

    Took popular music into areas previously thought impossible.

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