...I gotta split, so, I'll keep it short....Prince & The Revolution's "Let's Go Crazy"'s guitar Solo, towards the end.....EVERYBODY rocks out to that part...even CHICKS! ...ha-HAAA!!
When I was in the Marine Corps in 1989, I went to a beach bonfire in La Jolla. Round 1230 in the am, these two guys wander up and ask for a beer. It was Ray Manzarek And Robby Krieger. It was a Holly S#!t moment for me for sure. I spent the next few hours listening to Rays deep voice telling stories about hanging out on the beach and making a few jokes. I had to resist the urge to ask about Jim Morrison because I figured everyone did that and I didn't want to be "that guy". An amazing and never forget moment for sure.
@@jamesburkjr2803 we do it for you. Regardless of your politics or nationality, freedom and liberty requires sacrifice. Love one another, do right and be good.
I remember in the high school, in the '80s, you had all the different cliques of kids (those that listen to pop, the metalheads, the rockers, etc). If/when the teachers let us put on music in class, the Doors were the one band that everyone could agree to listen to. There was something magical and universal about the Doors.
I’d say even more so now that everything has come full circle. Jim Morrison does doom and gloom just as well as any metal band, and they’ve made their way into electronic music now. Even with the great bands of the era, they still manage to stand above
@@codymccormick7317 My understanding is that Jim Morrison thought death was nothing to fear, but something to embrace when it comes. I guess his thinking was close to that of Mark Twain: "I do not fear death. I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it."
🤔 Although I was a "hard rock"(metal head) as a high school kid in the mid 80s, I liked The Doors. However, they certainly weren't popular across all cliques in my high school. The band who's song ended up being chosen to represent our 1986 graduating class, was 'Boston'. The vast majority of our class surprisingly voted for "Don't Look Back", when it was put on the ballot. Anyway, back to the Doors. I read (the now largely discredited) Jim Morrison "biography" called "No One Here Gets Out Alive" in 1985. It actually turned me against Jim Morrison, until just a few years ago, when I realized it's author had completely misrepresented Morrison as a selfish, uncaring, cold hearted, tripped out narcissist. Turns out he was a completely different person than how he was portrayed there. Turns out he seemed like a good guy, which is illustrated by his LONG, respectful, kind, intelligent interviews, which are still available here on RUclips.
Ray Manzarek is one of the most impressive and genius keyboard players in Rock history. I was always impressed by the fact that he played the bass lines on a keyboard with his left hand while coloring the guitar and drums with his right hand. Brilliant!
Great video! We can thank John Densmore for keeping The Doors songs out of commercials. He is still holding strong knowing that Jim would never consent to their art being used in such a way. Truly one of the greatest rock bands ever.
Can you imagine how much that would devalue the music. It happens everyday now. A song that meant something to me my whole life now just makes me think about buying a car that i don't want or reminds me that i should get insurance from some other company. So sad
AND you can thank their current business manager Jeff Jampol for keeping their music out of commercials. I had the opportunity to interview him extensively on that very subject.
The Rock and Roll at one time had a display about Morrison. It is heartbreaking. His mother donated his Cub Scout uniform and beautiful cards and hand written poetry from JM to his mother. He was a total artist from the beginning. Even as an old man I still listen to their music. The organ music in Light My Fire and Riders on the Storm haunt me 50 years later. Great episode! Gotta go! Sudden impulse to play some Doors!!
I am an early "Boomer" born in April 1947. I was in Army Basic Training in February and March of 1967 at Fort lewis, WA. There was lots of good memorable music then. Later in April and May, I went to Advanced Individual Training at Fort Ord, CA. "Light my Fire" was really hot then and while at Fort Ord, that was the first time that I heard the uncut version. I was hooked on the Doors and I still am a big fan. I was one of those people Jim Morrison was talking about when he said that people won't know what a "funeral pyre' is. Actually, I didn't even know what word was after "funeral" for a while. After buying the album and reading the lyrics, I then understood the meaning of the song. Another favorite song on that first album is "Chrystal Ship."
Reminds me of the Dead Milkmans song Bitchin Camaro where they reference the doors cover band Chrystal Ship. Also singing some of love me 2 times while asking that they dont get sued.
After 50 years, "Light My Fire" still gives me visceral chills. Amazing 1st album with so many hits. Lucky enough to have lunch with John Densmore at my restaurant. He has an incredible wide and deep knowledgeable of music and philosophy.
Couple little points: Ray Manzarek was not happy with how the Doors movie portrayed Jim in that moment on the Ed Sullivan show. In both parts of the song where that line is, he was using exactly the same thrust that he'd used on the recording. There was no attempt, according to Manzarek, by Jim to put a point on that word. As the producer at Ed Sullivan yelled at them after the performance saying they'd never play Ed Sullivan again, Jim's response (again according to Manzarek) was "we already played the Ed Sullivan show!" Both of these are in Ray's book on his time with the Doors.
Oliver Stone did that a handful of times in the movie The Doors. That famous video of them introducing themselves when they first got to Europe, Stone got it completely wrong. In the real video, after being asked his name and occupation, Morrison says, “uhhh..Jim” and then looks into the camera with a sly grin, as if to say, I have no idea what my occupation is at the moment. He’s funny in that moment and you can tell he’s just amazed by this crazy ride he’s on. Stone had Kilmer say “Jim” but then lose all the humanity when he looked into the camera, he looks arrogant. Such a bummer.
I saw Ray and Robbie on tour in 2012 and was lucky to have a backstage meet n greet. Ray unfortunately was ill at that time and only was available for a few minutes. He was to pass away just months later. Robby was great however, and took time to hang out with everyone and sign stuff. Super humble guy.
Thank you, Professor! I'm 72 and I remember how The Doors burrowed into our souls in the late '60s and remained there forever. I loved your history of the iconic, unforgettable, unimpeachable, irrefutable, unreproachable, ineluctable superhit 'Light My Fire'.
In 1984 I was 18 and took a trip to Paris, after seeing the usual tourist attractions like Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower, and Notre-Dame. I was a huge Doors fan and I sought out his resting place. I forget the name but it was the largest cemetery in Paris, it was raining lightly that day and I remember this because I brought what I called my mini-boombox, which was a walkman with a set of speakers and a carrying case. I remember as I got closer to his grave I noticed an increase of graffiti, various things but lots of lines from his songs, the one that sticks out to me was "We live, we die and death not ends it". I found the grave which was easy to spot because the head stone was a bust of his head and there was about 10 other people there standing around his grave just soaking it all in I suppose. Then the song Waiting for the Sun came on my little mini-boombox and I kid you not it stopped raining for the duration of the song. Now I never believed in mysticism not then or now but its right up there with the weirdest coincidence of my life. That was 37 years ago and I remember it so vividly and yet cant tell you what I had for lunch last week.
There's something sacred in that. No need for any mystical gods or demons, just the sensation of experience being felt by a storytelling ape. We call ourselves homo sapiens, the wise man, but really we are pan narrans, a storytelling ape. We are the point where the falling angel meets the rising ape. We all live these stories every day, and that's true experience. "Enchantment is the means through which we may gain access to sacredness. Entertainment is the means through which we distance ourselves from it." - Neil Postman
Interesting comment but! What. you witnessed is common. No not a coincidence, or mystical. It's energy , what we are, and where we come from. Our solar system thrives from it. Our planet would not function without it/ magnetic force/ gravity. And it also takes in telepathy. Our brains are wired with neurons, both electrical charges and chemicals, called ions to communicate with each other. We say that neurons have an electrochemical charge, and these charges change depending on whether the neuron is at rest, or is sending a signal. Our bodies would never function without our brainwaves sending electrical pulses to keep us alive. Those pulses don't die. They travel to the next journey. When our body dies we disperse our electrical brainwave energy back to were it derived. To travel the universe with the rest of the energy. Here is a poem to put into a poetic understanding that sounds, and feels more humanly acceptable . Poem. I am not there; I'm not asleep. I am the thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on the snow, I am the sun on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quite birds in circle flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I'm not there, I did not die.
@@kirknelson156 It was not like it is today there wasn't the black stone with the greek saying. Someone wrote some greek words i don't remember what. My brother and his friend are fanatic with The Doors so they drove from Germany to visit Paris. I want to visit Paris and go to Morrison's grave not Louvre etc. I hope i make it.
I'm sure I've listened to "Light My Fire" more than any other song in my life. "Try now we can only lose" is probably one of my favorite twist of words lyrically. Nothing captures that time and place that must have been the Sunset Strip in the mid 60s quite like it to me. Every time I hear it I am transported. Luckily I had the chance to meet Ray once and tell him what this song and the Doors' music meant to me.
I created, years ago, a CD devoted to various versions of "Light My Fire". Doors LP cut, multiple 45 edits, various live, Jose Feliciano, Ventures (Underground Fire is a terrific LP), and Woody Herman Live in Rome. It swings! I think Light My Fire has been my favorite song since I first heard it when I was 10. It just grabbed me and never let go.
@@bundiniy I don't have a playlist, but I've collected different versions over the years. Jose Feliciano's cover is probably my favorite but others are Mike Flowers Pop, Astrud Gilberto & Thievery Corporation, George Winston and Isaac Hayes. Got to check out the Woody Herman version!
I never met any Doors, but I did see Robby in concert in a cafeteria at SUNY Buffalo (North Campus), circa 1991. Also, in 2006 I spoke with John Sebastian, who played harmonica on Roadhouse Blues. I asked him why he wasn't credited in those liner notes. He explained that the Doors band (management?) didn't want to look like they were bringing in famous ringers.
I was eleven years old when the Doors released Light My Fire. The song instantly captured my mind. The sound was mystical. Yes I remember 1966 well and the music of the 60s hasn't ever been surpassed nor will it ever be IMO.
Search you tube ...for Ray doing a breakdown of Light My Fire.....my brother in law interviewed him 15 years ago...and someone posted a snippet on you tube where Ray explains how the into came from his Bach studies as a child, and later on in the middle of the sing ...you chord changes inspired by his. love of Coltrane....
Loved the doors then and still do today. Years later the music is still relevant. I can play any doors song in a bar juke box and even the kids born decades after the death of Jim Morrison are amazed by the music.
I met Ray Manzarek at his house in Beverly Hills, one day back in the early 80's. I asked him what he was best known for, and he promptly sang the melody of his intro to the song, Light My Fire. I asked him if Jim Morrison was really dead. He sadly answered 'Yes, he is'. Ray was a really nice person, I found out that day. The Doors music is being newly discovered by each new generation of music fans, Ray told me. The Doors unique music will always be timeless. RIP, Ray and Jim. You will both never be forgotten...
With their musical virtuosity, brilliant poetry, and wide-ranging influences, styles and genres tackled successfully, I argue The Doors may be the GREATEST American rock & roll band ever.
For sure! If someone asked me to introduce them to the Doors sound by showing them one of thier hit songs, I'd be hard pressed to find any one song that defined them. Roadhouse Blues, The End, People are Strange, Light my Fire, Break on Through, Touch Me, When the Music's Over, Love me Two Times, Love her Madly, Riders on the Storm, LA Woman....and that's just their popular songs and doesn't even begin to tip the top of the lesser known and B-Sides like L'America, The Crystal Ship, Strange Days, Spanish Caravan, Love Street....all SO different. And no one else sounds even remotely like them to this day, nor can anyone else mirror their unbelievable diversity of style. I always wondered what songs may have been created if not for Jim's membership to the 27 club
After 55 years, "Light My Fire" still brings to mind the trip my family took to Expo '67, in my parent's Opel Kadett station wagon. The car had no radio, so I probably heard the song playing from the radio in another car, but for some reason it stuck in my head, along with the search lights we saw in the sky on the way up, the huge amount of construction, including the demolition of some beautiful, castle-like old buildings, going on in Montreal at the time, and all the strange sights and sounds of the national exhibits at the fair. I remember the headphones at a film exhibit, each with a rotary switch to select the language, a room full of stainless steel tubes that dispensed odors from the plants of various places, and a machine that dispensed free candies that were composed of many layers, to change the flavor as each one dissolved. I even remember us being asked on the way back into Vermont if we had anything purchased from the Cuban exhibit, which would have been promptly confiscated. Considering that I was a few months shy of 6 years-old, both the song and the world's fair left a pretty detailed impression on me.
You finally found the #1 best song of the rock era. Good catch. I saw the Doors live twice, 1968 and 1970 in Chicago. I was 14 & 16 yrs old. Those two concerts live in my heart and mind.
Me. Jealous. Much. I guess it won't do any good to brag about seeing Led Zeppelin & The Who in 1973 & 1974, lol! I'm three years younger than you, only saw the '60's bands on television.
There was magic in this quartet. Jim's powerful lyrics, and the many musical influences of the musicians was undeniably unique. Robby's fretwork was masterful. He instinctively knew what notes needed to be played and combined all that he knew into surreal tempos. They pack a powerful punch in there small time in the recording studio.
@@lockedin60 No it is not correction. I am Greek and amazes me when i read Greek words i didn't know used in English. Plus you don't have to be bitter.
@@fotis1964 Ok sorry. Usually when people are correcting something that I use it is in a negative light. I thought I used the term correctly. I did not realize it was a Greek derivative word. I did take Koine Greek in Graduate school about 40 years ago. Sorry if I came off condescending.
From her teen years on, my daughter, now 33, has loved The Doors, and especially Jim Morrison. She had a picture of Jim on the wall in her bedroom for many years. They are one the best bands ever, no doubt!
I remember in the 90s a friend of mine was complaining that his son had discovered the Doors. When I asked why he was annoyed, he said, "That's my music!"
@@e-curb ha ha ha so funny! I thought it was wonderful that she appreciated the music of the 1960's. She can sing their songs, and she's good at singing hard rock and grunge too, which I think is wonderful! My son will be 28 in September this year, and he also has a great appreciation of classic rock.
I remember first hearing the radio edit, of course, and I really loved it. Having heard "Break on Through" previously I was already a big fan of the Doors. When I was finally exposed to the full version not long after hearing the radio edit I was totally blown away. Robby Krieger's solo was so snakey, sinuous and exotic. So many decades have past but I still get the same feeling every time I listen to that song.
That's exactly how I got into the Doors music. First heard the radio version, here in South Africa where I live. Was intrigued, went down to a record shop, was blown away by the full version, and the album. Over next couple of yrs bought all their albums which were available here.
I remember when it first came out- everyone was just blown away, especially by Jim Morrison's voice. His incredible ability to scream in key was something never heard before, he had the most powerful and unique voice that I and just about everyone else had ever heard- it was mesmerizing. The band itself was perfect together.
Love Densmore's contribution. From the snap of the drum opening the song to supporting and keeping it together in the background (especially during Manzarek and Krieger's solo). All round great song.
In Dec 1967 Ronny Krieger, Robby's twin brother was a friend of me and my 1st husband. On the night of the Ed Sullivan Show he invited us and our friend Rich to come watch the show at his parents house in Pacific Palisades. We watched the with him and his parents. After the show his parents went in another room and put on their sons album just for the enjoyment of it. I was 18yr old and what a great memory.
@@kelvinkloud I did not know Jim or any of the Doors personally, but i did have a encounter with Jim on one day. This was probably around march 1971. My ex husband and Bill Siddons manager of the Doors and friends would get together to play football at Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach. On the one peculiar day Jim showed up to play. I was shock when I saw him he had gained alot of weight and his face looked bloated. He was no longer the good looking guy I remembered from the concerts from a few years before. When they started to play Jim could hardly run, he was huffing and puffing. I thought he might fall over on the field. When the game was over Bill asked Jim if he would like to come to his house with the rest of us. Jim declined, and said his goodbye's and left. He was really kind of quite and showed no rock star persona on that day , just a guy coming out to play football with some friends. Several months later I heard he had died in Paris. I wasn't completely shocked because of how he had looked . What a wasted of such a talented person at such a young age. RIP Jim
I remember how shocked I was when I learned that Robby Krieger had written Light My Fire because it has Jim Morrison stamped all over it. Had the same reaction about Touch Me and Wishful Sinful. What a great lyricist-- it seemed like he had as much or more talent as a poet as Morrison did.
@@rtbarnes4893 yeah that's part of what I mean too. I'm about to go check and see what else he wrote. If he wrote Crystal Ship I'm probably going to die 🐵
"Light My Fire" was (and is) an amazing song! I hope that you do more songs from The Doors. Truly, one of the greatest bands of all times. Thank you, Professor!
@@ProfessorofRock Interviews-wise, John Sebastian is still around; harmonica player on Roadhouse Blues. I saw him in concert, and he likes to tell stories, like how he transformed "Dancing' in the Streets" into one of his biggest hits ( can't remember which one - Summer in the City?).
I was 17 the summer of 1967 on vacation from an Alaska bush village to Bellingham, Washington. In my cousin Roy and his friend in a hot rod 55 Chevy when I heard this song the first time. We were jumping the car over speed bumps at the drive though buying root beers. The song came on and the friend in back said “turn that up, it’s the long version!” I’ll never forget. Two years later in 1969 after graduating my best freind and I flew to Seattle, bought a 67 Mustang convertible and went to a 3 day outdoor concert in Seattle and saw The Doors live on stage. This was the west coast version of Woodstock. Some of the bands we saw were; Bo Diddly, Ike & Tina, The Guess Who, Lonnie Mack, It’s a Beautiful Day, Flying Burrito Brothers and more. I saw Jose’ F. Live in Fairbanks Alaska while in college about a year later and again in Anchorage a few years after. Light My Fire and The Doors is still one of my wife’s favorite groups and mine.
You, Sir Adam Reader, are truly The Professor of Rock! I've been watching and listening to your videos with interviews and music for some time now. Thank you for reigniting the soundtrack of my youth and the only music that turns me on...keep on Rockin'
No doubt, Light My Fire is a timeless classic, although my favorite is Riders on the Storm. Would be thrilled if you also do a video on Riders. Ray Manzarek's keyboard/piano/organ playing though is so exceptional and brilliant.
@@roybean7166 I've seen that, played it half a dozen times. When he plays the "raining" part and goes down the keys with his right hand it's just like OH YEAH!
He could do almost ANY Doors song and its a winner :). Both of these you suggest are great suggestions, too. LA Woman - that song is HUMMIN, I mean that song is MOVIN! So full - it fills up so much space with so much color. That would be a good one to do.! :)
As a 9-year old, I was in the Catskills on vacation with my parents when this song was new and saw the hotel's rock band perform it live for the teens. It was the first time that I saw live musicians of any type. It inspired me to want to play - and some day play in the Catskills with a band. Fast forward to 1976, as a bass player for a band that played as the house teen band at Kutcher's Country Club. We didn't play Light My Fire, but being the house band was a dream come true.
The End and Riders On The Storm were my favorites of the Doors. Saw the movie about their life.....great movie and puts into perspective the 27 club.....poor heart finally gave out I'm sure. The organ/synthesizer/piano just made them top notch along with Morrison's voice.
Hey Professor, are you aware that White Clover, which later became KANSAS, were playing at the Roach in New Orleans on June 24, 1969 (it was one of their earliest performances) and Jim Morrison joined them onstage and read some poetry and did a version of Light My Fire with them. Rather ironically, KANSAS opened for the Doors concert at the Warehouse in New Orleans on December 12, 1970 and they joined the Doors(with or without Morrison on stage, according to different accounts) for Light My Fire. This became Morrison's last performance with the Doors. Of any of the bands of this era, who would imagine KANSAS having a connection with the Doors like this. #StrongerThanDirt
Great information! As a musician and music history guy thank you. Not every band's complete history is always noted in reference books or on their websites.
Without question, my favorite Doors song. I first heard it around 10 years of age. Never had I heard a song that had a break that lasted for around 3 minutes, which is, to this day, a sublime, transitory, hypnotic experience, no matter how many times I've heard it. The ONLY WAY to play this song on the radio, is to play the whole, damn thing. To play the radio edit, RUINS the whole point to the epic piece. As always, Adam, thank you.
You are correct and that could be said for countless songs. That being said, it's the job of the radio producer to create a profitable radio program, not to pay proper homage to this or any song. So keep that in mind. You want the full piece? Go buy it.
@@jamesbarrick3403 For a short while in the later ‘60s into early ‘70s there was a local radio station that operated on both AM and FM bands. The FM version specialized in playing full length album cuts and occasionally full sides non stop in the later evenings. I think it might have been In-a-Gadda-Vida that was the first time I heard a shorter version on AM when borrowing my mom’s car after hearing the album cut the night before, on headphones, with herbal assistance, and thinking “where TF is the rest of the song” . Firesign Theatre was like Monty Python’s Flying Circus on acid. To this day there are some albums I find almost impossible to listen to a single track from; Sgt Pepper’s, Wheels of Fire, Wish You Were Here, Dreamboat Annie. Ah, good times. Thanks Adam, for all you do here.
Even a song like My Sharona. To me the instrumental break is the best element of the song, and shortening it on the 45 ruined it for me. (Single was 3:45 compared with 4:52 for the album version.)
For some reason this just made me smile. An awesome dude speaking about my favorite band with such enthusiasm and sincerity about him which you would only expect from a university professor speaking about some dull stuff.
When I was 17, I had this song cranked up loud. My dad came home from work early that day. He started yelling at me to 'turn that shit down... oh... wait, that's the Doors... Never mind." That's when I stopped listening to them all the time. I had the chance to tell Ray Manzerik that story, he thought it was funny.
Jim was the original, "dead man walking," or should I say dead man wailing. A lot of the Doors' songs are downer type songs, brilliantly written. O have their entire collection and listen to them now and then. This song always takes me back to 1966 when I lived in Long Beach, CA at the time. It was a different time back then. Had it's problems but also had it's nicer days.
Jim suffered from serious mental health issues that he self medicated with alcohol. His friends that are still alive in Clearwater, FL can verify that and if you can find her, the love of his life Mary Werbelow
@@therealfronzilla I appreciate you being honest about Jim's mental health issues and his self medication with alcohol. From my research, including his music/interview videos, I have been able to conclude that the poor boy had been abused in all kind of ways from an early age, probably as early as being in his mother's womb. His father was part of C. I. A. and MK u l t r a program. Plus, his grandparents lived in Clearwater, FL (headquarters of Scientology) where Jim had spent a lot of his early years with with them. His grandparents and his parents probably had some connections/involvement with that organization, so draw your own conclusion. I do not think that this is all a coincidence. People just need to connect the dots, but all the information is out there for us to read and find out. This is an open secret so do speak. I can only imagine what horrible experiences Jim had to go through as being a member of an occultic family, they are blue-- blooded royals, and they have to practice some of the most evil things, and so when you are being used, abused, tortured early in your life, a person's mental health will fall apart. I can tell that he was one sad, angry, depressed, love-hungry person. When I watch Jim's videos, it weights so heavy on my heart; his spiritual heaviness of his darkness is unbearable. The poor boy/guy was so mistreated and understood there is no wonder he felt so tormented and depressed. Even the band was taking advantage of his mental and spiritual issues, which drove him even more into the darkness. Jim needed help and fame was the last thing that he needed to be in as that destroyed him totally to the point where he was not able to handle it anymore, too much pressure and constant stress and exposure. I look at his face and I can see his torments of all kinds, it is scary sometimes to look at him. It is truly just sad and tragic how Jim's life ended. But, that is the occult world and secret societies, full of evil and wickedness; Jim's whole environment (people around him) was evil, so he never stood a chance to live a better life. Those evil spirits were always around him, and he never was able to get away from them.
@@Dzanarika1 when he was there, scientology was not even there. To much conspiracy stuff here man. Look up the story of him and Mary Werbelow and everything makes sense. His grandparents were good people, took Jim in, gave him his space, but Jim has issues, basically an alcoholic and had problems with doing making bad decisions, like flashing people or on a Christmas Mass in Clearwater with Mary's family, he sees one of his friends there and flips him off, with everyone looking right at him. Ask all his friends in Clearwater and they will all day, Jim was the last person you'd ever suspect of being a rock star. He was not into music at all when here, just a writer. Actually he had been in contact with his friends here just before he died. Jim had planned to rent a bunch of bungalows on Clearwater Beach and get the, "Gang" together. This place was very special to him. Mary said that Jim had moved around so much, being a military kid, Clearwater, was the first place where he got to make deep meaningful friendships and also fall madly in love. Again, there were no scientologist here...sorry man, you're overthinking it.
How well I remember the first time I heard Light My Fire. It was during my 7th grade art class in 1970. Our teacher, Mrs. Villareal, played it for inspiration during one of our projects. I later acquired both The Doors and Waiting For The Sun albums. They both still get play from my music library.
I remember listening to the Doors' Light my Fire on a little crystal radio on top of a rock at night at Canyon de Chelly in Arizona from the clear channel station from Oklahoma City, KOMA. Beyond magical...
"The Doors" album with "Light My Fire" was in the group of the first six 8-track tapes I bought when I got back out into the world after six months in the hospital at Ft. Knox in July of 1969. I really enjoyed hearing the history behind it. Thanks!
I’ve been a Doors fan since I was a kid growing up in the ‘60’s. Their debut album was one of the first records I bought with chore and neighborhood lawn-mowing money I scraped together. The record’s STILL in my collection fifty plus years later, as well as every subsequent Doors release. They’ve never left my personal playlist rotation ever, and I suspect they never will... Long live the 🦎🤴🏻... He can do ANYTHING!
They all mostly collaborated on all the songs... but I do know what you mean ... My own very favorite songs were penned by Jim though. End of the Night, Crystal Ship Strange Days You're Lost, Little Girl But, really I love most of their songs.
I could talk about songwriters all day. Who wrote what, when, and why. It’s just fascinating. But I think The Doors were a culmination of something special. Everyone contributed to that unique sound. I would have gone to my grave thinking Morrison had written them because of the power in his strange performances. Like all great bands, any member missing would have changed the recipe. Morrison’s charisma was strong indeed! Oh, and the 27 club sucks! So much wasted talent.
Coltrane's modal jazz and world music concepts with long involving solos was a often unrecognised influence on the hip culture in the mid '60s. Highlighting it here could be something which might reinvigorate people's imagination today. Great job.
Awesome episode Professor! Love the Doors! Learned some things from this episode I never knew! Thanks for sharing the history of these great groups with us!
Robbie Krieger must have indeed loved "My Favorite Things", as he would often throw out a few lines in concert during his solo on "Light My Fire". Looking forward to his book. I hope some day Bruce Botnick will get the urge to write as well. People forget that one of the early members of the "27 Club" was Alan "The Owl" Wilson from Canned Heat. By all accounts, he was a magnificent guitarist and harp player.
My 20 yo son has loved The Doors since he was a youngen. He sat and listened to this episode with me. Arguably the best American band of that era. Thank you Professor.
Really enjoyed your video. I love The Doors. I've seen the Ed Sullivan footage many times over the decades, and it still packs a punch. Just knowing that the shows producers and Ed Sullivan were left there standing in shock, it makes me smile from ear to ear. "Love Her Madly" is my personal fave, but "Light My Fire" started it all. What a sad, and heartbreaking finale for Jim, and who knows what works he would of accomplished? Thanks. Great content.
I was born in 1964. This song, and really many of the Doors songs, take me back to being a young child and dancing with my mom on our green shag carpet. Such a warm nostalgia runs through me. We also listened to the Feliciano album over and over. Even now, I can put on the Feliciano album and get all kinds emotion. Thanks for always bringing me back to where I came from.
I seen the doors live twice in Montreal Soft Parade album concert. I think 68, and the their first album in 67. They did light my fire. Jim introduced the songs name in french, it was so cute him trying to pronounce " Allume Mon Feu" I think it sounded more like "Um-A Mo Fu" the crowd roared with an ovation for his attempt. I've seen all the greats. The doors concert seem to be so intimate. Just a red light, them playing. It was like sitting in the living room listing to tunes with all your friends.
@@joeyank2451 man wait until you get to 70, you'll look back at your photos at 59 and you will look like a kid. Believe me being 60 is not old. I still don't feel old. Thank you for your reply, and yes I do feel privileged, and having an adventurous personality,, I was at Woodstock 69 me and a buddy biked down on our Norton commandos,. What an adventure of love and music.
I was four when my dad was a disc jockey in southern Maryland. I would wait for the daily call from his am station to let me know he was about to play my favorite song "Light My Fire", giving me at least five minutes to pull on my white go-go boots and get my mom to turn on the radio. Over a half century later I still love the Doors and especially this song. Thank you for your wonderful videos!
In the 90's I was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of a band that wrote and played it's own music. I was a huge Doors fan and Jim was a major influence on my songwriting to the point that my drummer actually thought I was a reincarnation of Morrison. The Doors music is timeless. Such an awesome band.
@@thedys70 Unfortunately no. We recorded on tape and demoed on minidisc, which was cool at the time. I left the band after a long standing disagreement with the lead guitarist. Our agreement was I kept the music and lyrics for the songs I wrote. If they wrote the music they would keep it. Basically I would write all the lyrics and quite often the melodies. Building upon their rhythm patterns I would complete the song. Always did regret not taking tapes with me.
@@RuthlessMojo Thanks for the prompt reply bro; sorry things fizzled out for you. Ever contemplate trying to contact the other fellow via social media to see what happened to the tapes?
I share your memory of an eye-opening experience upon first hearing this. I couldn’t have been older than 5, but I was born at the right time. Between this, The Who’s “I Can See For Miles,” and “Purple Haze” by the JHE, the door to embracing a wide variety of art swung wide open. Thanks for this video, and for all the work you do.
It is always annoying when my local radio station cuts out the whole long middle part of the song. Without it, it just sounds more repetitive considering that there is just one verse repeated three times.
That’s the single version, created in the 60s, when anything over three minutes didn’t get airplay. But I agree; I hate when they play that, instead of the full cut.
I think I was 6 or 7 when I first listened Light My Fire, and I was completely hypnotized by the sound of the keyboard, and Jim's voice was absolutely haunting. The Doors became right there, at that very moment, one of the most influential bands in my life. Thanks for making this video.
@@JB-ti7bl It appears that he was one of those guys that never put the guitar down unless it was absolutely necessary. Like, changing a shirt. Or using toilet paper. Purportedly, McCartney is like that. Hendrix was. Only stands to reason you'll dance well together if you're always practicing.
Professor you nailed it. As a 16 year old in 1967 listening to the guitar / organ midsection with headphones in the dark - hypnotizing, losing track of time and transportation to a mystic high level.
I thought Jim was especially inspired on the Ed S show. Such incomparably powerful and passionate singing. In my view, there's never been a singer as good at what he did as Jim Morrison. And he looked like a classic Greek god while doing it. ;)
I was in High School back in 71 and was going through a dark period in my life. I was in the library listening to the Doors first album with headsets and the song "The End" completely resonated with my feelings at that time. I would go on to buy all their albums and the band became a favorite of mind.
I was truly fortunate to be old enough to recall early childhood memories of hearing this captivating track on AM radio along with others era defining music like The Beatles (SPLHCB/MMT), The Stones, The Mommas & The Poppas, Tom Jones, Motown, etc.. Truly an amazing yet tumultuous time (as a young child) to be immersed in and influenced by such a diverse confluence of world events (Viet Nam/ MLK / RFK / Apollo etc.) interspersed with such a wide range of popular music.
Dude, amazing post! Don't tell anyone I listen to Bread while Doordashing at night. I didn't know Coltrane was behind Manzarek's playing and for that I can praise you as the Professor of Rock 👌
It does not matter, because he wrote the songs, but Jim's voice really brought them to life. Without his voice and his presence on stage, those songs would have been nothing.
THANK YOU!! Finally a Doors story - the most unique band in rock history. So many great anecdotes, and this is definitely one of them. I am a MASSIVE Doors fan (for 40 years) and this was very well researched, as always.
Professor. I saw the Doors live back in the day. The bass at concerts was the keyboardist. Marenzak (or however you spell his name) playing a Fender/Rhodes bass "piano". He played the keyboard with one hand and the Rhodes with the other that was mounted directly in front of him on top of the his full keyboard. I played bass myself back in the day so I know the sound. If you listen closely to the sound and to the progression, it is a keyboard bass on the song. Additionally the keyboard parts a nothing a good keyboardist couldn't play with one hand
You, with your dad, are so fortunate to have had the wonderful bond of music between you. I love how you talk about him in most all of your videos. And I love your videos!!
Some Hot Wheels trivia: a hopped up version of a ‘68 Pontiac Firebird convertible was released in 1970 as part of the Spoilers Series. The name of the model was called “Light My Firebird”. As an avid HW collector, I’ve always liked this name!
Thanks for the video! Just wanted to point out that Robbie Krieger was 20, not 18, when he wrote "Light My Fire". He was born in January 1946 and wrote the song in early 1966. But even so, writing a classic like that at age 20 is quite an accomplishment! "Light My Fire" is one of the greatest songs of all time.
I remember Walking to my girl friend"s house, with my awesome GE transistor radio, and this amazing unique song came on. I tried to explain it, but to no avail. So we went to the record shop heard it and bought it. Wore that record out!
Robbie Kreiger seems like such a down to earth fun guy. On his RUclips channel he even gives guitar lessons on how to play some of the Doors classics. Thanks for this great video.
If you can find it, Robbie Kreiger released an instrumental CD on the IRS subsidiary label NO SPEAK. You will .likely enjoy it. The series is really good.
1967. I'm starting 6th grade. It was an amazing experience for me because I helped to integrate the lower school the year before being one of the first black students on full scholarship at a prestigious private school in the Bronx New York. It was brimming with innovation and I say this to preface the fact that the doors helped bring my art class to State of the art psychedelic expression. Long story short an entire role of 16 mm film with bleached clear and we were instructed along rows of 6-ft tables to use colorful oil paint and to paint little dots into each frame that were then assembled through splicing back to the full row of motion picture film. The music soundtrack for the visual psychedelic presentation that accompanied the visual projection, was the entire side one of the doors first album which featured "light my fire". Something like that you never forget and the music that was so innovative and unique brought great synergy to this art project. I'll never forget the sounds coming off of that record in particular "light my fire". Right out of the gate, from the first drum strike you know you're in for the ride of your life sonically speaking until the last note. It brings me back magically to this time and every time I hear it I'm grateful for the childhood memory that this song allows me to have.
18:49 I like Elvis Costello on SNL, when he suddenly changed the planned song, live, to Radio Radio, the lyrics of which rather bit the hands of the broadcasters (NBC, RCA, GE) feeding him, as well as being a great song, of course.
Well you have done it again…….. how do you keep dragging these songs up from my past……. I forgot how much influence this music had on me at the time… my cousin Robert gave me a copy of this song back in the sixties. I was hooked from there on in. Light my fire was the spark. After that music changed me forever. I have never recovered. I hope that I never do. Other than myself I have never seen anyone till you who shows so much passion for classic rock songs…… you keep pulling them up and blowing me away. Your background info is simply amazing. Please keep up the good work. And thank you from the bottom of my heart for reminding me of all these fond memories.
I remember being just out of high school when a mutual friend invited me and my best friend to his college campus in Chico California. We took a ride into the mountains that black starry night that we will never forget in a newly purchased Convertible Corvette Stingray. I remembered my best friend and I were perched on the back seat with the top down in this stingray sports car. The driver began telling my friend and I a frighting story about "Big Foot" who according to his account was spotted somewhere in the woods nearby. When the driver of the corvette turned the dial up on the radio I remember practically jumping off the roof of the car listening the sound. it was the Jim Morrison, Doors and the song light my fire. The music cut through the night air like a laser and with the frighting story of “Big Foot” will be an experience we have never forgotten and as it turnout was an iconic ride that lasted my best friend and I a lifetime.
I used to live in Nocal, back in the 60's & 70's...way south of Chico on I80... & still listening to the Doors in my Corvette convertibleS...but out in the Desert...in Az.
Man, the 1960s and 1970s... Two amazing decades for rock music they were the best time to be a rock music fan to be honest. Us baby boomers were spoilt.
While I agree the 60's and 70's were amazing mostly because rock was so young and those decades were explorations never heard before so everything was ground breaking. I will always say that the 90's had the most excellent music. Rock was in full beast mode and there were so many really good bands pumping out countless albums. The sheer volume was so good looking back now.
@@jamesbarrick3403 damn dude. I stopped listening to new music all together in 94. Everything was getting so boring and reused. Had to start going backwards to see what i missed and get new inspiration. I think i have only heard about 5 new songs that i like since 94.
@@lgv3051 hmmm okay to each their own. I have been enjoying great music to this day incl Foo fighters, Shinedown, black country communion, Jack white, black keys,etc. Many more
Jim Morrison and the Doors were so cool to me. They did their own thing and were not afraid to experiment (literally lol) and see where it took them. Sadly Jim had his demons and passed away far too early but his desire to challenge life and see what was on the other side was so captivating and inspirational to me. A great group who were willing to break down doors in life to see what was on the other side. Great music!
Poll: What is the greatest solo (any instrument) in a classic song that blows you away every time?
Both Comfortably Numb's guitar solo, and Tom Sawyer's drum solo.
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Voodoo Child(Slight Return) during Double Trouble’s performance on Austin City Limits in 1983.
...I gotta split, so, I'll keep it short....Prince & The Revolution's "Let's Go Crazy"'s guitar Solo, towards the end.....EVERYBODY rocks out to that part...even CHICKS! ...ha-HAAA!!
@@gravityisgone2539 You stole my answer. Take my upvote.
Randy Rhoads guitar on "Crazy Train"
When I was in the Marine Corps in 1989, I went to a beach bonfire in La Jolla. Round 1230 in the am, these two guys wander up and ask for a beer. It was Ray Manzarek And Robby Krieger. It was a Holly S#!t moment for me for sure. I spent the next few hours listening to Rays deep voice telling stories about hanging out on the beach and making a few jokes. I had to resist the urge to ask about Jim Morrison because I figured everyone did that and I didn't want to be "that guy". An amazing and never forget moment for sure.
Semper Fi, Sir....
Cpl Stott. USMC
@@thecollective1584 semper fi
Now that is a true fan. Someone that has respect with it. Thank you for your service
@@jamesburkjr2803 we do it for you. Regardless of your politics or nationality, freedom and liberty requires sacrifice. Love one another, do right and be good.
Haaaaave a holly jolly Shitmas, it's the best time of the year!!
I remember in the high school, in the '80s, you had all the different cliques of kids (those that listen to pop, the metalheads, the rockers, etc). If/when the teachers let us put on music in class, the Doors were the one band that everyone could agree to listen to. There was something magical and universal about the Doors.
I’d say even more so now that everything has come full circle. Jim Morrison does doom and gloom just as well as any metal band, and they’ve made their way into electronic music now. Even with the great bands of the era, they still manage to stand above
@@codymccormick7317 My understanding is that Jim Morrison thought death was nothing to fear, but something to embrace when it comes. I guess his thinking was close to that of Mark Twain: "I do not fear death. I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it."
@@codymccormick7317 A+AQAhi
🤔 Although I was a "hard rock"(metal head) as a high school kid in the mid 80s, I liked The Doors. However, they certainly weren't popular across all cliques in my high school. The band who's song ended up being chosen to represent our 1986 graduating class, was 'Boston'. The vast majority of our class surprisingly voted for "Don't Look Back", when it was put on the ballot.
Anyway, back to the Doors. I read (the now largely discredited) Jim Morrison "biography" called "No One Here Gets Out Alive" in 1985. It actually turned me against Jim Morrison, until just a few years ago, when I realized it's author had completely misrepresented Morrison as a selfish, uncaring, cold hearted, tripped out narcissist. Turns out he was a completely different person than how he was portrayed there. Turns out he seemed like a good guy, which is illustrated by his LONG, respectful, kind, intelligent interviews, which are still available here on RUclips.
Sad ending to a great talent.
Ray Manzarek is one of the most impressive and genius keyboard players in Rock history. I was always impressed by the fact that he played the bass lines on a keyboard with his left hand while coloring the guitar and drums with his right hand. Brilliant!
Very under appreciated true talent of the band. Sang lyrics most nights because Jim was too drunk to do his duty.
Also deserves much credit as the moderating force that kept the band together
Totally agree. I never was a real doors fan but always loved the keyboard work
Ever hear Manzarek's Carmina Burana album? Chants in Latin!
Indeed!
Great video! We can thank John Densmore for keeping The Doors songs out of commercials. He is still holding strong knowing that Jim would never consent to their art being used in such a way. Truly one of the greatest rock bands ever.
Very cool.
Can you imagine how much that would devalue the music. It happens everyday now. A song that meant something to me my whole life now just makes me think about buying a car that i don't want or reminds me that i should get insurance from some other company. So sad
@@lgv3051 I think Neil Young keeps his songs off commercials, too.
AND you can thank their current business manager Jeff Jampol for keeping their music out of commercials. I had the opportunity to interview him extensively on that very subject.
@@JB-ti7bl This note's for you!
The Rock and Roll at one time had a display about Morrison. It is heartbreaking. His mother donated his Cub Scout uniform and beautiful cards and hand written poetry from JM to his mother. He was a total artist from the beginning. Even as an old man I still listen to their music. The organ music in Light My Fire and Riders on the Storm haunt me 50 years later. Great episode! Gotta go! Sudden impulse to play some Doors!!
I am an early "Boomer" born in April 1947. I was in Army Basic Training in February and March of 1967 at Fort lewis, WA. There was lots of good memorable music then. Later in April and May, I went to Advanced Individual Training at Fort Ord, CA. "Light my Fire" was really hot then and while at Fort Ord, that was the first time that I heard the uncut version. I was hooked on the Doors and I still am a big fan. I was one of those people Jim Morrison was talking about when he said that people won't know what a "funeral pyre' is. Actually, I didn't even know what word was after "funeral" for a while. After buying the album and reading the lyrics, I then understood the meaning of the song. Another favorite song on that first album is "Chrystal Ship."
Thank you for your service Randall. You never got that when you came back stateside. A shameful episode in American history.
Reminds me of the Dead Milkmans song Bitchin Camaro where they reference the doors cover band Chrystal Ship. Also singing some of love me 2 times while asking that they dont get sued.
After 50 years, "Light My Fire" still gives me visceral chills. Amazing 1st album with so many hits. Lucky enough to have lunch with John Densmore at my restaurant. He has an incredible wide and deep knowledgeable of music and philosophy.
Indeed. First album was like Best of with so many hits.
Couple little points:
Ray Manzarek was not happy with how the Doors movie portrayed Jim in that moment on the Ed Sullivan show. In both parts of the song where that line is, he was using exactly the same thrust that he'd used on the recording. There was no attempt, according to Manzarek, by Jim to put a point on that word.
As the producer at Ed Sullivan yelled at them after the performance saying they'd never play Ed Sullivan again, Jim's response (again according to Manzarek) was "we already played the Ed Sullivan show!"
Both of these are in Ray's book on his time with the Doors.
Oliver Stone did that a handful of times in the movie The Doors. That famous video of them introducing themselves when they first got to Europe, Stone got it completely wrong. In the real video, after being asked his name and occupation, Morrison says, “uhhh..Jim” and then looks into the camera with a sly grin, as if to say, I have no idea what my occupation is at the moment. He’s funny in that moment and you can tell he’s just amazed by this crazy ride he’s on. Stone had Kilmer say “Jim” but then lose all the humanity when he looked into the camera, he looks arrogant. Such a bummer.
I saw Ray and Robbie on tour in 2012 and was lucky to have a backstage meet n greet. Ray unfortunately was ill at that time and only was available for a few minutes. He was to pass away just months later. Robby was great however, and took time to hang out with everyone and sign stuff. Super humble guy.
Thank you, Professor! I'm 72 and I remember how The Doors burrowed into our souls in the late '60s and remained there forever. I loved your history of the iconic, unforgettable, unimpeachable, irrefutable, unreproachable, ineluctable superhit 'Light My Fire'.
The #1 song of the 60s!
I’m 72 and totally agree…
In 1984 I was 18 and took a trip to Paris, after seeing the usual tourist attractions like Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower, and Notre-Dame. I was a huge Doors fan and I sought out his resting place. I forget the name but it was the largest cemetery in Paris, it was raining lightly that day and I remember this because I brought what I called my mini-boombox, which was a walkman with a set of speakers and a carrying case. I remember as I got closer to his grave I noticed an increase of graffiti, various things but lots of lines from his songs, the one that sticks out to me was "We live, we die and death not ends it". I found the grave which was easy to spot because the head stone was a bust of his head and there was about 10 other people there standing around his grave just soaking it all in I suppose. Then the song Waiting for the Sun came on my little mini-boombox and I kid you not it stopped raining for the duration of the song. Now I never believed in mysticism not then or now but its right up there with the weirdest coincidence of my life. That was 37 years ago and I remember it so vividly and yet cant tell you what I had for lunch last week.
There's something sacred in that. No need for any mystical gods or demons, just the sensation of experience being felt by a storytelling ape. We call ourselves homo sapiens, the wise man, but really we are pan narrans, a storytelling ape. We are the point where the falling angel meets the rising ape. We all live these stories every day, and that's true experience.
"Enchantment is the means through which we may gain access to sacredness. Entertainment is the means through which we distance ourselves from it." - Neil Postman
Interesting comment but! What. you witnessed is common. No not a coincidence, or mystical. It's energy , what we are, and where we come from. Our solar system thrives from it. Our planet would not function without it/ magnetic force/ gravity. And it also takes in telepathy.
Our brains are wired with neurons, both electrical charges and chemicals, called ions to communicate with each other. We say that neurons have an electrochemical charge, and these charges change depending on whether the neuron is at rest, or is sending a signal. Our bodies would never function without our brainwaves sending electrical pulses to keep us alive. Those pulses don't die. They travel to the next journey.
When our body dies we disperse our electrical brainwave energy back to were it derived. To travel the universe with the rest of the energy. Here is a poem to put into a poetic understanding that sounds, and feels more humanly acceptable .
Poem.
I am not there; I'm not asleep.
I am the thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on the snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quite birds in circle flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I'm not there, I did not die.
My brother been there in 1981. I have a photo of Morrison's grave.
@@fotis1964 sadly I didn't own a camera back then, and I didn't think to borrow my folks camera before heading out.
@@kirknelson156 It was not like it is today there wasn't the black stone with the greek saying. Someone wrote some greek words i don't remember what. My brother and his friend are fanatic with The Doors so they drove from Germany to visit Paris.
I want to visit Paris and go to Morrison's grave not Louvre etc. I hope i make it.
I'm sure I've listened to "Light My Fire" more than any other song in my life. "Try now we can only lose" is probably one of my favorite twist of words lyrically. Nothing captures that time and place that must have been the Sunset Strip in the mid 60s quite like it to me. Every time I hear it I am transported. Luckily I had the chance to meet Ray once and tell him what this song and the Doors' music meant to me.
I created, years ago, a CD devoted to various versions of "Light My Fire". Doors LP cut, multiple 45 edits, various live, Jose Feliciano, Ventures (Underground Fire is a terrific LP), and Woody Herman Live in Rome. It swings!
I think Light My Fire has been my favorite song since I first heard it when I was 10. It just grabbed me and never let go.
@@bundiniy I don't have a playlist, but I've collected different versions over the years. Jose Feliciano's cover is probably my favorite but others are Mike Flowers Pop, Astrud Gilberto & Thievery Corporation, George Winston and Isaac Hayes. Got to check out the Woody Herman version!
I never met any Doors, but I did see Robby in concert in a cafeteria at SUNY Buffalo (North Campus), circa 1991.
Also, in 2006 I spoke with John Sebastian, who played harmonica on Roadhouse Blues. I asked him why he wasn't credited in those liner notes. He explained that the Doors band (management?) didn't want to look like they were bringing in famous ringers.
What does PFM stand for, please?
Same . Mostly because of the solo
I was eleven years old when the Doors released Light My Fire. The song instantly captured my mind. The sound was mystical. Yes I remember 1966 well and the music of the 60s hasn't ever been surpassed nor will it ever be IMO.
Yes the Doors were amazing and definitely unique sounding at that time, that was very distinctive and ear catching! Top 5 of the 60s
I was 13 when light my fire came out and I ran out to buy that first album! Loved it so much!
Search you tube ...for Ray doing a breakdown of Light My Fire.....my brother in law interviewed him 15 years ago...and someone posted a snippet on you tube where Ray explains how the into came from his Bach studies as a child, and later on in the middle of the sing ...you chord changes inspired by his. love of Coltrane....
Loved the doors then and still do today. Years later the music is still relevant. I can play any doors song in a bar juke box and even the kids born decades after the death of Jim Morrison are amazed by the music.
I met Ray Manzarek at his house in Beverly Hills, one day back in the early 80's. I asked him what he was best known for, and he promptly sang the melody of his intro to the song, Light My Fire. I asked him if Jim Morrison was really dead. He sadly answered 'Yes, he is'. Ray was a really nice person, I found out that day. The Doors music is being newly discovered by each new generation of music fans, Ray told me. The Doors unique music will always be timeless. RIP, Ray and Jim. You will both never be forgotten...
This song is just PFM and stellar work by all four performers. The long versions of Light My Fire and LA Woman are absolutely incredible.
What is PFM
premiata forneria marconi?
@@moldybongwater3808
No.....try again.
Pure fucking magic?
I like Billy Idol version of LA Woman too- hopefully this doesn’t trigger anyone lol. The video has some cool sets.
With their musical virtuosity, brilliant poetry, and wide-ranging influences, styles and genres tackled successfully, I argue The Doors may be the GREATEST American rock & roll band ever.
I think you may be right.
Angel WERE the GREATEST!!!
Always subjective, but hard to think who else it would be.
For sure! If someone asked me to introduce them to the Doors sound by showing them one of thier hit songs, I'd be hard pressed to find any one song that defined them. Roadhouse Blues, The End, People are Strange, Light my Fire, Break on Through, Touch Me, When the Music's Over, Love me Two Times, Love her Madly, Riders on the Storm, LA Woman....and that's just their popular songs and doesn't even begin to tip the top of the lesser known and B-Sides like L'America, The Crystal Ship, Strange Days, Spanish Caravan, Love Street....all SO different. And no one else sounds even remotely like them to this day, nor can anyone else mirror their unbelievable diversity of style. I always wondered what songs may have been created if not for Jim's membership to the 27 club
But Morrison's voice is a signature sound.
After 55 years, "Light My Fire" still brings to mind the trip my family took to Expo '67, in my parent's Opel Kadett station wagon. The car had no radio, so I probably heard the song playing from the radio in another car, but for some reason it stuck in my head, along with the search lights we saw in the sky on the way up, the huge amount of construction, including the demolition of some beautiful, castle-like old buildings, going on in Montreal at the time, and all the strange sights and sounds of the national exhibits at the fair. I remember the headphones at a film exhibit, each with a rotary switch to select the language, a room full of stainless steel tubes that dispensed odors from the plants of various places, and a machine that dispensed free candies that were composed of many layers, to change the flavor as each one dissolved. I even remember us being asked on the way back into Vermont if we had anything purchased from the Cuban exhibit, which would have been promptly confiscated. Considering that I was a few months shy of 6 years-old, both the song and the world's fair left a pretty detailed impression on me.
Cool memories!
You finally found the #1 best song of the rock era.
Good catch.
I saw the Doors live twice, 1968 and 1970 in Chicago. I was 14 & 16 yrs old.
Those two concerts live in my heart and mind.
Me. Jealous. Much. I guess it won't do any good to brag about seeing Led Zeppelin & The Who in 1973 & 1974, lol! I'm three years younger than you, only saw the '60's bands on television.
God You’re Lucky
At age 16, I saw the Doors at the Hollywood Bowl in 1968. First song: "When the Music's Over.”
Most under rated song by The Doors : " When The Music's Over "
The idea of a butterfly screaming haunts me
The Crystal Ship is up there too.
The Changeling
Peace Frog too!
Maggie McGill... superb
There was magic in this quartet. Jim's powerful lyrics, and the many musical influences of the musicians was undeniably unique. Robby's fretwork was masterful. He instinctively knew what notes needed to be played and combined all that he knew into surreal tempos. They pack a powerful punch in there small time in the recording studio.
"Myriad" is greek word. Myriad is equal to a million.
@@fotis1964 thanks for the correction. I know you will sleep well tonight. You must be proud of yourself.
@@lockedin60 No it is not correction. I am Greek and amazes me when i read Greek words i didn't know used in English. Plus you don't have to be bitter.
@@fotis1964 Ok sorry. Usually when people are correcting something that I use it is in a negative light. I thought I used the term correctly. I did not realize it was a Greek derivative word. I did take Koine Greek in Graduate school about 40 years ago. Sorry if I came off condescending.
@@lockedin60 It wasn't correction sorry for made you feel bad.
The Doors' music never gets old. They were music geniuses. Light my Fire is definitely one of my favorites.
From her teen years on, my daughter, now 33, has loved The Doors, and especially Jim Morrison. She had a picture of Jim on the wall in her bedroom for many years. They are one the best bands ever, no doubt!
I remember in the 90s a friend of mine was complaining that his son had discovered the Doors. When I asked why he was annoyed, he said, "That's my music!"
@@e-curb ha ha ha so funny! I thought it was wonderful that she appreciated the music of the 1960's. She can sing their songs, and she's good at singing hard rock and grunge too, which I think is wonderful! My son will be 28 in September this year, and he also has a great appreciation of classic rock.
I remember first hearing the radio edit, of course, and I really loved it. Having heard "Break on Through" previously I was already a big fan of the Doors. When I was finally exposed to the full version not long after hearing the radio edit I was totally blown away. Robby Krieger's solo was so snakey, sinuous and exotic. So many decades have past but I still get the same feeling every time I listen to that song.
Robby's guitar playing reminds me of Andy Summers' playing. They both fill out a lot of territory without much strumming of chords.
That's exactly how I got into the Doors music. First heard the radio version, here in South Africa where I live. Was intrigued, went down to a record shop, was blown away by the full version, and the album. Over next couple of yrs bought all their albums which were available here.
I remember when it first came out- everyone was just blown away, especially by Jim Morrison's voice. His incredible ability to scream in key was something never heard before, he had the most powerful and unique voice that I and just about everyone else had ever heard- it was mesmerizing. The band itself was perfect together.
Love Densmore's contribution. From the snap of the drum opening the song to supporting and keeping it together in the background (especially during Manzarek and Krieger's solo). All round great song.
I presume you seen the vid of Doors playing it live, at Hollywood Bowl. Watch Densmore there, he is incredible.
Professor, its great to see you do an episode on The Doors. "Light My Fire" is one of classic rock's greatest songs.
In Dec 1967 Ronny Krieger, Robby's twin brother was a friend of me and my 1st husband. On the night of the Ed Sullivan Show he invited us and our friend Rich to come watch the show at his parents house in Pacific Palisades. We watched the with him and his parents. After the show his parents went in another room and put on their sons album just for the enjoyment of it. I was 18yr old and what a great memory.
did you meet morrison? ... if so, what was he like behind the scenes & not in front of the media?
@@kelvinkloud I did not know Jim or any of the Doors personally, but i did have a encounter with Jim on one day. This was probably around march 1971. My ex husband and Bill Siddons manager of the Doors and friends would get together to play football at Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach. On the one peculiar day Jim showed up to play. I was shock when I saw him he had gained alot of weight and his face looked bloated. He was no longer the good looking guy I remembered from the concerts from a few years before. When they started to play Jim could hardly run, he was huffing and puffing. I thought he might fall over on the field. When the game was over Bill asked Jim if he would like to come to his house with the rest of us. Jim declined, and said his goodbye's and left. He was really kind of quite and showed no rock star persona on that day , just a guy coming out to play football with some friends. Several months later I heard he had died in Paris. I wasn't completely shocked because of how he had looked . What a wasted of such a talented person at such a young age. RIP Jim
In the early 80's, I became obsessed with the Doors, and of course Light My Fire was a huge part of that.
I remember how shocked I was when I learned that Robby Krieger had written Light My Fire because it has Jim Morrison stamped all over it. Had the same reaction about Touch Me and Wishful Sinful. What a great lyricist-- it seemed like he had as much or more talent as a poet as Morrison did.
Robbie wrote the amazing chords and melodies also!...
@@rtbarnes4893 yeah that's part of what I mean too. I'm about to go check and see what else he wrote. If he wrote Crystal Ship I'm probably going to die 🐵
Robby wrote all but one of the hits (Hello I love You was Jim's)
@@kenlieberman4215 Robby wrote one song and one song only !
Robbie wrote "Touch Me" and "Love her Madly" as well as several lesser known songs from their catalog.
"Light My Fire" was (and is) an amazing song! I hope that you do more songs from The Doors.
Truly, one of the greatest bands of all times.
Thank you, Professor!
Planning to do more. Thanks for watching. my friend.
@@ProfessorofRock Excellent! I'm looking forward to them.
Ditto here. Rush, Pink Floyd and the Doors, in any order you like. The play list could be complete.
@@daviddillion5189 👍🏿😉
@@ProfessorofRock Interviews-wise, John Sebastian is still around; harmonica player on Roadhouse Blues. I saw him in concert, and he likes to tell stories, like how he transformed "Dancing' in the Streets" into one of his biggest hits ( can't remember which one - Summer in the City?).
I was 17 the summer of 1967 on vacation from an Alaska bush village to Bellingham, Washington. In my cousin Roy and his friend in a hot rod 55 Chevy when I heard this song the first time. We were jumping the car over speed bumps at the drive though buying root beers. The song came on and the friend in back said “turn that up, it’s the long version!” I’ll never forget. Two years later in 1969 after graduating my best freind and I flew to Seattle, bought a 67 Mustang convertible and went to a 3 day outdoor concert in Seattle and saw The Doors live on stage. This was the west coast version of Woodstock. Some of the bands we saw were; Bo Diddly, Ike & Tina, The Guess Who, Lonnie Mack, It’s a Beautiful Day, Flying Burrito Brothers and more.
I saw Jose’ F. Live in Fairbanks Alaska while in college about a year later and again in Anchorage a few years after. Light My Fire and The Doors is still one of my wife’s favorite groups and mine.
You, Sir Adam Reader, are truly The Professor of Rock! I've been watching and listening to your videos with interviews and music for some time now. Thank you for reigniting the soundtrack of my youth and the only music that turns me on...keep on Rockin'
the band was balanced by the talent of ALL FOUR members
And, all four so different: Jim = wildman poet; Densmore = jazz/marching band; Krieger = natural genius; Manzarek = trained and solid.
Also....Led Zeppelin, and Pantera. ?
The exact right four guys at the exact right time.
Totally agree
All great comments
No doubt, Light My Fire is a timeless classic, although my favorite is Riders on the Storm. Would be thrilled if you also do a video on Riders. Ray Manzarek's keyboard/piano/organ playing though is so exceptional and brilliant.
On internet is a vid of Manzarek explaining how the band wrote the song, Riders On the Storm. Not sure if you seen it, if not have a look.
L.A woman..
@@roybean7166 I always used to sing it “Riders on the Bus”
@@TP-om8of haha !
@@roybean7166 I've seen that, played it half a dozen times. When he plays the "raining" part and goes down the keys with his right hand it's just like OH YEAH!
Brother, I have been waiting for you to do The Doors FOREVER! Thanks, man! Should do Roadhouse Blues or LA Woman sometime.
Will do!
Yes LA woman, what a great parting gift to the world from the guys.
He could do almost ANY Doors song and its a winner :). Both of these you suggest are great suggestions, too. LA Woman - that song is HUMMIN, I mean that song is MOVIN! So full - it fills up so much space with so much color. That would be a good one to do.! :)
As a 9-year old, I was in the Catskills on vacation with my parents when this song was new and saw the hotel's rock band perform it live for the teens. It was the first time that I saw live musicians of any type. It inspired me to want to play - and some day play in the Catskills with a band. Fast forward to 1976, as a bass player for a band that played as the house teen band at Kutcher's Country Club. We didn't play Light My Fire, but being the house band was a dream come true.
The End and Riders On The Storm were my favorites of the Doors. Saw the movie about their life.....great movie and puts into perspective the 27 club.....poor heart finally gave out I'm sure. The organ/synthesizer/piano just made them top notch along with Morrison's voice.
Hey Professor, are you aware that White Clover, which later became KANSAS, were playing at the Roach in New Orleans on June 24, 1969 (it was one of their earliest performances) and Jim Morrison joined them onstage and read some poetry and did a version of Light My Fire with them. Rather ironically, KANSAS opened for the Doors concert at the Warehouse in New Orleans on December 12, 1970 and they joined the Doors(with or without Morrison on stage, according to different accounts) for Light My Fire. This became Morrison's last performance with the Doors. Of any of the bands of this era, who would imagine KANSAS having a connection with the Doors like this. #StrongerThanDirt
Now that is amazing! I love the music of Kansas too!
Great information! As a musician and music history guy thank you. Not every band's complete history is always noted in reference books or on their websites.
Wow. Every time I think I know everything there is to know about The Doors.... Thanks for sharing, I hadn't heard this before. Kansas rocks.
That's pretty cool, Kansas is one of the best US bands for sure, no where near as popular as they should be
I've seen many concerts at the Warehouse... but unfortunately missed that one. Thanks for the cool info. 👍
Without question, my favorite Doors song. I first heard it around 10 years of age. Never had I heard a song that had a break that lasted for around 3 minutes, which is, to this day, a sublime, transitory, hypnotic experience, no matter how many times I've heard it. The ONLY WAY to play this song on the radio, is to play the whole, damn thing. To play the radio edit, RUINS the whole point to the epic piece. As always, Adam, thank you.
You are correct and that could be said for countless songs. That being said, it's the job of the radio producer to create a profitable radio program, not to pay proper homage to this or any song. So keep that in mind. You want the full piece? Go buy it.
You're welcome. Thank you for watching.
Iron Butterfly had similar breaks. I'll always remember my dad saying "here come the elephants," when listening to In a Gadda Da Vida.
@@jamesbarrick3403 For a short while in the later ‘60s into early ‘70s there was a local radio station that operated on both AM and FM bands. The FM version specialized in playing full length album cuts and occasionally full sides non stop in the later evenings. I think it might have been In-a-Gadda-Vida that was the first time I heard a shorter version on AM when borrowing my mom’s car after hearing the album cut the night before, on headphones, with herbal assistance, and thinking “where TF is the rest of the song” . Firesign Theatre was like Monty Python’s Flying Circus on acid.
To this day there are some albums I find almost impossible to listen to a single track from; Sgt Pepper’s, Wheels of Fire, Wish You Were Here, Dreamboat Annie.
Ah, good times.
Thanks Adam, for all you do here.
Even a song like My Sharona. To me the instrumental break is the best element of the song, and shortening it on the 45 ruined it for me. (Single was 3:45 compared with 4:52 for the album version.)
I love this song. This song always gives me the goosebumps. Such a masterpiece. LIGHT MY FIRE🎸
For some reason this just made me smile. An awesome dude speaking about my favorite band with such enthusiasm and sincerity about him which you would only expect from a university professor speaking about some dull stuff.
I heard that Jim's response to "You'll never play the Sullivan Show again!" was "So what? we were just on Sullivan!" :)
That line is from the Doors movie. Real??
Anecdotally, he said, "Hey man, we just DID the Sullivan Show!"
@@kennethlatham3133 Yep😏
Yes, that's right Ray Manzarek confirmed it when he appeared in a documentary I saw.
Yes, a been there done that vibe, ha!
All their hits put me right back in High School...wouldn't want to go back but glad to have been there.
Half million subs coming soon, Prof! Every one of them deserved. Thank you for these episodes - each one is like opening a time capsule. All the best.
Saw the Doors in Toronto in 1970. Stunning. I remember it like it was yesterday.
Saw the Electric Prunes open for the Doors many many years ago The musicianship of the Doors plus Morrison persona is unforgettable
I remember the Prunes and still, at 72, listen to them and the Doors daily! Keeps me rocking!
@@kentfuqua9634 73 here!! Keep on Rollin’
That must have been an amazing show…love em both
@@kentfuqua9634 I had too much to dream last night, only prunes song I remember.
When I was 17, I had this song cranked up loud. My dad came home from work early that day. He started yelling at me to 'turn that shit down... oh... wait, that's the Doors... Never mind." That's when I stopped listening to them all the time.
I had the chance to tell Ray Manzerik that story, he thought it was funny.
Jim was the original, "dead man walking," or should I say dead man wailing. A lot of the Doors' songs are downer type songs, brilliantly written. O have their entire collection and listen to them now and then. This song always takes me back to 1966 when I lived in Long Beach, CA at the time. It was a different time back then. Had it's problems but also had it's nicer days.
Jim suffered from serious mental health issues that he self medicated with alcohol. His friends that are still alive in Clearwater, FL can verify that and if you can find her, the love of his life Mary Werbelow
I have their collection as well, after hearing Light my Fire.
@@therealfronzilla I appreciate you being honest about Jim's mental health issues and his self medication with alcohol. From my research, including his music/interview videos, I have been able to conclude that the poor boy had been abused in all kind of ways from an early age, probably as early as being in his mother's womb. His father was part of C. I. A. and MK u l t r a program. Plus, his grandparents lived in Clearwater, FL (headquarters of Scientology) where Jim had spent a lot of his early years with with them. His grandparents and his parents probably had some connections/involvement with that organization, so draw your own conclusion. I do not think that this is all a coincidence. People just need to connect the dots, but all the information is out there for us to read and find out. This is an open secret so do speak.
I can only imagine what horrible experiences Jim had to go through as being a member of an occultic family, they are blue-- blooded royals, and they have to practice some of the most evil things, and so when you are being used, abused, tortured early in your life, a person's mental health will fall apart. I can tell that he was one sad, angry, depressed, love-hungry person. When I watch Jim's videos, it weights so heavy on my heart; his spiritual heaviness of his darkness is unbearable. The poor boy/guy was so mistreated and understood there is no wonder he felt so tormented and depressed. Even the band was taking advantage of his mental and spiritual issues, which drove him even more into the darkness. Jim needed help and fame was the last thing that he needed to be in as that destroyed him totally to the point where he was not able to handle it anymore, too much pressure and constant stress and exposure. I look at his face and I can see his torments of all kinds, it is scary sometimes to look at him. It is truly just sad and tragic how Jim's life ended. But, that is the occult world and secret societies, full of evil and wickedness; Jim's whole environment (people around him) was evil, so he never stood a chance to live a better life. Those evil spirits were always around him, and he never was able to get away from them.
@@Dzanarika1 when he was there, scientology was not even there. To much conspiracy stuff here man. Look up the story of him and Mary Werbelow and everything makes sense. His grandparents were good people, took Jim in, gave him his space, but Jim has issues, basically an alcoholic and had problems with doing making bad decisions, like flashing people or on a Christmas Mass in Clearwater with Mary's family, he sees one of his friends there and flips him off, with everyone looking right at him.
Ask all his friends in Clearwater and they will all day, Jim was the last person you'd ever suspect of being a rock star. He was not into music at all when here, just a writer.
Actually he had been in contact with his friends here just before he died. Jim had planned to rent a bunch of bungalows on Clearwater Beach and get the, "Gang" together. This place was very special to him. Mary said that Jim had moved around so much, being a military kid, Clearwater, was the first place where he got to make deep meaningful friendships and also fall madly in love. Again, there were no scientologist here...sorry man, you're overthinking it.
How well I remember the first time I heard Light My Fire. It was during my 7th grade art class in 1970. Our teacher, Mrs. Villareal, played it for inspiration during one of our projects. I later acquired both The Doors and Waiting For The Sun albums. They both still get play from my music library.
When I first heard "Break on through to the other side" I thought it was the ANIMALS.
Light my fire was one of my favorites in the late 60's. Only to be replaced by Riders on the Storm in 1971. I sure miss those days and the music.
Man does that bring back memories! Outstanding presentation again Professor! Greatly appreciated.
Thanks for watching.
I remember listening to the Doors' Light my Fire on a little crystal radio on top of a rock at night at Canyon de Chelly in Arizona from the clear channel station from Oklahoma City, KOMA. Beyond magical...
"The Doors" album with "Light My Fire" was in the group of the first six 8-track tapes I bought when I got back out into the world after six months in the hospital at Ft. Knox in July of 1969. I really enjoyed hearing the history behind it. Thanks!
I’ve been a Doors fan since I was a kid growing up in the ‘60’s. Their debut album was one of the first records I bought with chore and neighborhood lawn-mowing money I scraped together. The record’s STILL in my collection fifty plus years later, as well as every subsequent Doors release. They’ve never left my personal playlist rotation ever, and I suspect they never will...
Long live the 🦎🤴🏻...
He can do ANYTHING!
I found out tonight that my favorite songs by the Doors, were all written by Robby Krieger!💫
They all mostly collaborated on all the songs... but I do know what you mean ... My own very favorite songs were penned by Jim though.
End of the Night,
Crystal Ship
Strange Days
You're Lost, Little Girl
But, really I love most of their songs.
I could talk about songwriters all day. Who wrote what, when, and why. It’s just fascinating. But I think The Doors were a culmination of something special. Everyone contributed to that unique sound. I would have gone to my grave thinking Morrison had written them because of the power in his strange performances. Like all great bands, any member missing would have changed the recipe. Morrison’s charisma was strong indeed! Oh, and the 27 club sucks! So much wasted talent.
He also wrote Do You Love Her Madly
Coltrane's modal jazz and world music concepts with long involving solos was a often unrecognised influence on the hip culture in the mid '60s. Highlighting it here could be something which might reinvigorate people's imagination today. Great job.
Awesome episode Professor! Love the Doors! Learned some things from this episode I never knew! Thanks for sharing the history of these great groups with us!
Robbie Krieger must have indeed loved "My Favorite Things", as he would often throw out a few lines in concert during his solo on "Light My Fire". Looking forward to his book. I hope some day Bruce Botnick will get the urge to write as well.
People forget that one of the early members of the "27 Club" was Alan "The Owl" Wilson from Canned Heat. By all accounts, he was a magnificent guitarist and harp player.
I went to school with Bruce .
Holzman wrote a book
My 20 yo son has loved The Doors since he was a youngen. He sat and listened to this episode with me.
Arguably the best American band of that era.
Thank you Professor.
Really enjoyed your video. I love The Doors. I've seen the Ed Sullivan footage many times over the decades, and it still packs a punch. Just knowing that the shows producers and Ed Sullivan were left there standing in shock, it makes me smile from ear to ear. "Love Her Madly" is my personal fave, but "Light My Fire" started it all.
What a sad, and heartbreaking finale
for Jim, and who knows what works he would of accomplished? Thanks. Great content.
I was born in 1964. This song, and really many of the Doors songs, take me back to being a young child and dancing with my mom on our green shag carpet. Such a warm nostalgia runs through me. We also listened to the Feliciano album over and over. Even now, I can put on the Feliciano album and get all kinds emotion. Thanks for always bringing me back to where I came from.
I seen the doors live twice in Montreal Soft Parade album concert. I think 68, and the their first album in 67. They did light my fire. Jim introduced the songs name in french, it was so cute him trying to pronounce " Allume Mon Feu" I think it sounded more like "Um-A Mo Fu" the crowd roared with an ovation for his attempt. I've seen all the greats. The doors concert seem to be so intimate. Just a red light, them playing. It was like sitting in the living room listing to tunes with all your friends.
You Are So Lucky And Yes I’m An Old Man 59 But You Are So Lucky
@@joeyank2451 man wait until you get to 70, you'll look back at your photos at 59 and you will look like a kid. Believe me being 60 is not old. I still don't feel old. Thank you for your reply, and yes I do feel privileged, and having an adventurous personality,, I was at Woodstock 69 me and a buddy biked down on our Norton commandos,. What an adventure of love and music.
I was four when my dad was a disc jockey in southern Maryland. I would wait for the daily call from his am station to let me know he was about to play my favorite song "Light My Fire", giving me at least five minutes to pull on my white go-go boots and get my mom to turn on the radio. Over a half century later I still love the Doors and especially this song. Thank you for your wonderful videos!
In the 90's I was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of a band that wrote and played it's own music. I was a huge Doors fan and Jim was a major influence on my songwriting to the point that my drummer actually thought I was a reincarnation of Morrison. The Doors music is timeless. Such an awesome band.
A bit late to the party here, but are any of your 90s recordings listenable/viewable on the internet?
@@thedys70 Unfortunately no. We recorded on tape and demoed on minidisc, which was cool at the time. I left the band after a long standing disagreement with the lead guitarist. Our agreement was I kept the music and lyrics for the songs I wrote. If they wrote the music they would keep it. Basically I would write all the lyrics and quite often the melodies. Building upon their rhythm patterns I would complete the song. Always did regret not taking tapes with me.
@@RuthlessMojo Thanks for the prompt reply bro; sorry things fizzled out for you. Ever contemplate trying to contact the other fellow via social media to see what happened to the tapes?
I share your memory of an eye-opening experience upon first hearing this. I couldn’t have been older than 5, but I was born at the right time. Between this, The Who’s “I Can See For Miles,” and “Purple Haze” by the JHE, the door to embracing a wide variety of art swung wide open. Thanks for this video, and for all the work you do.
It is always annoying when my local radio station cuts out the whole long middle part of the song. Without it, it just sounds more repetitive considering that there is just one verse repeated three times.
That’s the single version, created in the 60s, when anything over three minutes didn’t get airplay. But I agree; I hate when they play that, instead of the full cut.
I think I was 6 or 7 when I first listened Light My Fire, and I was completely hypnotized by the sound of the keyboard, and Jim's voice was absolutely haunting. The Doors became right there, at that very moment, one of the most influential bands in my life. Thanks for making this video.
Good grief Charlie Brown… about time you spoke about one of the greatest bands of their era!
As a SUPER Doors fan for 54 years, some of your facts are wrong, but the spirit is still right on. Good job!...
Trying to figure out Robbie's crazy guitar work is how i learned to play guitar. Awesome stuff man
Robby always depressed me as a budding guitar player myself. How could a self-taught guy do all that stuff at age 20?
@@JB-ti7bl It appears that he was one of those guys that never put the guitar down unless it was absolutely necessary. Like, changing a shirt. Or using toilet paper. Purportedly, McCartney is like that. Hendrix was. Only stands to reason you'll dance well together if you're always practicing.
Professor you nailed it. As a 16 year old in 1967 listening to the guitar / organ midsection with headphones in the dark - hypnotizing, losing track of time and transportation to a mystic high level.
I thought Jim was especially inspired on the Ed S show. Such incomparably powerful and passionate singing. In my view, there's never been a singer as good at what he did as Jim Morrison. And he looked like a classic Greek god while doing it. ;)
I was in High School back in 71 and was going through a dark period in my life. I was in the library listening to the Doors first album with headsets and the song "The End" completely resonated with my feelings at that time. I would go on to buy all their albums and the band became a favorite of mind.
I was truly fortunate to be old enough to recall early childhood memories of hearing this captivating track on AM radio along with others era defining music like The Beatles (SPLHCB/MMT), The Stones, The Mommas & The Poppas, Tom Jones, Motown, etc.. Truly an amazing yet tumultuous time (as a young child) to be immersed in and influenced by such a diverse confluence of world events (Viet Nam/ MLK / RFK / Apollo etc.) interspersed with such a wide range of popular music.
Dude, amazing post! Don't tell anyone I listen to Bread while Doordashing at night. I didn't know Coltrane was behind Manzarek's playing and for that I can praise you as the Professor of Rock 👌
It's amazing to me that Krieger ended up writing 4 of the bands biggest hits. Most writers would give up everything just to write Light My Fire.
It does not matter, because he wrote the songs, but Jim's voice really brought them to life. Without his voice and his presence on stage, those songs would have been nothing.
This band was so rounded, every band member was equally impactful. All these years I still am moved by the music and I play them.
The “Alive She Cried” concert rehearsal album is my fave of theirs..
THANK YOU!! Finally a Doors story - the most unique band in rock history. So many great anecdotes, and this is definitely one of them. I am a MASSIVE Doors fan (for 40 years) and this was very well researched, as always.
Professor. I saw the Doors live back in the day. The bass at concerts was the keyboardist. Marenzak (or however you spell his name) playing a Fender/Rhodes bass "piano". He played the keyboard with one hand and the Rhodes with the other that was mounted directly in front of him on top of the his full keyboard. I played bass myself back in the day so I know the sound. If you listen closely to the sound and to the progression, it is a keyboard bass on the song. Additionally the keyboard parts a nothing a good keyboardist couldn't play with one hand
You, with your dad, are so fortunate to have had the wonderful bond of music between you. I love how you talk about him in most all of your videos. And I love your videos!!
Some Hot Wheels trivia: a hopped up version of a ‘68 Pontiac Firebird convertible was released in 1970 as part of the Spoilers Series. The name of the model was called “Light My Firebird”. As an avid HW collector, I’ve always liked this name!
Thanks for the video! Just wanted to point out that Robbie Krieger was 20, not 18, when he wrote "Light My Fire". He was born in January 1946 and wrote the song in early 1966. But even so, writing a classic like that at age 20 is quite an accomplishment! "Light My Fire" is one of the greatest songs of all time.
I remember Walking to my girl friend"s house, with my awesome GE transistor radio, and this amazing unique song came on. I tried to explain it, but to no avail. So we went to the record shop heard it and bought it. Wore that record out!
Exactly what happened to me. Heard it on radio, went out and bought the album .
Love the song, love the Doors and loved seeing what went into making it...
Thanks Professor!
Robbie Kreiger seems like such a down to earth fun guy. On his RUclips channel he even gives guitar lessons on how to play some of the Doors classics. Thanks for this great video.
If you can find it, Robbie Kreiger released an instrumental CD on the IRS subsidiary label NO SPEAK. You will .likely enjoy it. The series is really good.
I've seen those and really enjoy them. Thanks for watching!
Didn't know this, will check it out. Thanks
1967. I'm starting 6th grade. It was an amazing experience for me because I helped to integrate the lower school the year before being one of the first black students on full scholarship at a prestigious private school in the Bronx New York. It was brimming with innovation and I say this to preface the fact that the doors helped bring my art class to State of the art psychedelic expression. Long story short an entire role of 16 mm film with bleached clear and we were instructed along rows of 6-ft tables to use colorful oil paint and to paint little dots into each frame that were then assembled through splicing back to the full row of motion picture film. The music soundtrack for the visual psychedelic presentation that accompanied the visual projection, was the entire side one of the doors first album which featured "light my fire". Something like that you never forget and the music that was so innovative and unique brought great synergy to this art project. I'll never forget the sounds coming off of that record in particular "light my fire". Right out of the gate, from the first drum strike you know you're in for the ride of your life sonically speaking until the last note. It brings me back magically to this time and every time I hear it I'm grateful for the childhood memory that this song allows me to have.
18:49 I like Elvis Costello on SNL, when he suddenly changed the planned song, live, to Radio Radio, the lyrics of which rather bit the hands of the broadcasters (NBC, RCA, GE) feeding him, as well as being a great song, of course.
Wow! The Doors, Coltrane and Zenni ... three favorites all in one professorial episode!
haha happy to deliver my friend!
Spanish Caravan is my favorites of theirs with 🔥 as a close 2nd and Riders on the Storm a close 3rd.
My top 3 favorite bands of the 60’s.
The Hammond B-3 is one of the signature sounds of the 60s!
Vox continental
I have a Hammond B-3 for sale
Well you have done it again…….. how do you keep dragging these songs up from my past……. I forgot how much influence this music had on me at the time… my cousin Robert gave me a copy of this song back in the sixties. I was hooked from there on in. Light my fire was the spark. After that music changed me forever. I have never recovered. I hope that I never do. Other than myself I have never seen anyone till you who shows so much passion for classic rock songs…… you keep pulling them up and blowing me away. Your background info is simply amazing. Please keep up the good work. And thank you from the bottom of my heart for reminding me of all these fond memories.
My favorite Doors song will always be "The End".
I remember being just out of high school when a mutual friend invited me and my best friend to his college campus in Chico California. We took a ride into the mountains that black starry night that we will never forget in a newly purchased Convertible Corvette Stingray. I remembered my best friend and I were perched on the back seat with the top down in this stingray sports car. The driver began telling my friend and I a frighting story about "Big Foot" who according to his account was spotted somewhere in the woods nearby. When the driver of the corvette turned the dial up on the radio I remember practically jumping off the roof of the car listening the sound. it was the Jim Morrison, Doors and the song light my fire. The music cut through the night air like a laser and with the frighting story of “Big Foot” will be an experience we have never forgotten and as it turnout was an iconic ride that lasted my best friend and I a lifetime.
I used to live in Nocal, back in the 60's & 70's...way south of Chico on I80... & still listening to the Doors in my Corvette convertibleS...but out in the Desert...in Az.
Man, the 1960s and 1970s... Two amazing decades for rock music they were the best time to be a rock music fan to be honest. Us baby boomers were spoilt.
While I agree the 60's and 70's were amazing mostly because rock was so young and those decades were explorations never heard before so everything was ground breaking. I will always say that the 90's had the most excellent music. Rock was in full beast mode and there were so many really good bands pumping out countless albums. The sheer volume was so good looking back now.
THere's no question. Once in a universe time in music.
@@jamesbarrick3403 damn dude. I stopped listening to new music all together in 94. Everything was getting so boring and reused. Had to start going backwards to see what i missed and get new inspiration. I think i have only heard about 5 new songs that i like since 94.
@@lgv3051 hmmm okay to each their own. I have been enjoying great music to this day incl Foo fighters, Shinedown, black country communion, Jack white, black keys,etc. Many more
Jim Morrison and the Doors were so cool to me. They did their own thing and were not afraid to experiment (literally lol) and see where it took them. Sadly Jim had his demons and passed away far too early but his desire to challenge life and see what was on the other side was so captivating and inspirational to me. A great group who were willing to break down doors in life to see what was on the other side. Great music!
Please consider Iron Butterfly ‘In A Gadda Da Vida’ in your podcast. Thanks 🌸💕