-
Period: to
The Doors
-
Jim & Ray
Jim and Ray come together for the first time. Jim tells Ray he wants to call the band The Doors, with reference to the William Blake line: "If the doors of perception were cleansed man could see things as they truly are, infinite". The idea of using the name is also in association to Aldous Huxley and his book The Doors of Perception which Ray digs as both of them are experimenting with drugs and expanding their consciousness. -
Moving Day
Jim moves in with Ray and Dorothy to their home in Ocean Park, California. -
Ray Introduces Jim to the Band
After staying with Ray for a few weeks Jim is introduced to Ray's band "Rick and The Ravens" who rehearse at Ray's parents home. Members include Ray's two brothers Rick and Jim Manzarek. The lyrics Jim sings to the fellas soar over their heads but they agree to work with the new singer and new material. -
John Densmore Joins The Doors
John Densmore, while attending college and uncertain of his major, is given a call from Ray Manzarek to come to his parents house to play drums with the band. John and Ray know each other somewhat from a meditation class they both attend regularly. John is currently working with a band called the "Psychedelic Rangers" with friend Robby Krieger. John meets a shy Jim Morrison and likes the originals more than the covers the band is practicing. -
Soul Kitchen
After and during rehersals the guys frequently run off to Olivia's for some food and drink - the place that inspired the song "Soul Kitchen". The southern style diner reminds Jim of southern cooking and is frequented by all kinds of artists and students who come for the good cheap food cooked by a large black southern woman, Olivia. She loves to cook for the kids but doesn't put up with any messing around in her place. -
The Doors Sign With Columbia Records
The Doors members are taking the demos around, individually and as a band, to local record companies but are repeatedly shown the door for being too different. The band sees a picture of Billy James from Columbia Records in a trade magazine wearing a beard and think he looks hip. The band meets with Billy and two days later are notified by his secretary that he wants to sign the band. The Doors are offered a five-and-a-half year deal with Columbia Records with a six month initial term. -
First Gig
@ Pioneer Club Boat Ride in Los Angeles, CA. This is one of The Doors earliest engagements outside of frat parties and playing for friends. -
Jim's 22nd Birthday
Jim turns 22 and is beginning to sing with more authority and confidence. Everyday or so he brings a few crumpled pieces of paper to rehearsals or coffee stained napkins with incredible lyrics formulating them into songs as the band continuously gets tighter and tighter. -
Audition for House Band
The Doors audition to be the house band at the London Fog. -
Mini Gigs
The Doors start their run as the house band at the Whisky à Go Go. -
Concert: New York
The Doors perform in New York for the first time. -
Aulbum Release
The Doors release their debut album, "The Doors". -
The Doors on TV
The Doors make their first live television appearance lip-synching their first single "Break on Through". The show is hosted by Casey Kasem and produced by Dick Clark. -
Concert: San Francisco
The Doors perform at The Matrix in San Francisco. -
First Major Gig
The Doors play their first major gig at the Cheetah in Santa Monica -
The Ed Sullivan Show
The Doors appear on The Ed Sullivan Show. The band was asked to change the lyrics in "Light My Fire" because it wasn't deemed appropriate to say "higher" on national television, due to the drug reference. The band agrees, however Jim sings the original lyrics and they are told they are not allowed to play on the show again. -
Album Release
"Strange Days" is the second studio album by The Doors. It was a commercial success, initially earning a gold record and reaching No. 3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. -
Iggy Pop Attends a Doors Concert
A young Iggy Pop sees The Doors in concert for the first time. -
Jim & Jimi
Jim Morrison joins Jimi Hendrix at The Scene in New York. -
Album Release
"Waiting for the Sun" is the third studio album by The Doors, recorded from February to May 1968. -
Concert: Hollywood Bowl
The Doors perform at the Hollywood Bowl. -
Concert @ The Singer Bowl
The Who opened for The Doors at The Singer Bowl Long Island. -
Album Release
"The Soft Parade" is the fourth studio album by The Doors, and was released by Elektra Records. It saw the group totally departing from the material that encompassed their past three albums. -
Album Release
"Morrison Hotel" is the fifth studio album by The Doors, recorded from between August 1966 and November 1969 and released by Elektra in February 1970. -
Album Release
"L.A. Woman" is the sixth studio album by The Doors, and was released by Elektra Records. -
Jim Morrison's Death
Jim died from a heart attack while in the bath tub at his Paris appartment. -
Jim's Burial
Jim was buried at Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris, France. He had passed and been buried before his family had even found out about his death. -
Album Release
"Full Circle" is the eighth studio album by The Doors, released in August 1972. It is the second album after Jim Morrison's death, and would be the last album they would compile until 1978's "An American Prayer".