By Kerrick Shaw 

Photo by: Kerrick Shaw

The Doors, officially formed in 1965, are one of the most quintessential Rock and Roll bands of all time. With the frontman, Jim Morrison, being one of Rock’s mythic figures, it is nearly impossible to avoid his troubled life and where it led the band. 

Ray Manzarek (keyboardist), then frontman of Rick & the Ravens, immediately wanted Morrison in the band after hearing a poem of his, which later became “Moonlight Drive.” After one month of Morrison’s overshadowing role in the group, drummer John Densmore joined as well. Before the year’s end, the remaining two members of Rick & the Ravens had left, then being replaced by guitarist Robbie Krieger.  

“The Doors,” their debut album, released in 1967, immediately gave the band their reputation for pushing the boundaries of what rock was, both musically and lyrically. With his poetic nature, alluring voice and the popularity that came from his traits, Morrison embraced his role of the wild artist. 

With the continuous spotlight on him during live performances, the other members leaned back and watched the magic happen. However, with no precautions to help him, “Mr. Mojo Risin” quickly succumbed to misfortunes of his own making.  

After leading them through fire and ice over their six-year drive, Morrison joined the infamous 27 club in 1971. This “club” consists of celebrities, such as Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain, who all coincidentally passed at the early age of 27.  

His many troubles with the law and his blackout concert performances stemmed from intense drinking and drug habits, one particularly famous event leading to no less than five misdemeanor charges and a felony charge to boot for public profanity and exposure during a show in 1969. He unashamedly lived the reckless rock ’n’ roll lifestyle until the end. 

“The Doors” is, in my opinion, their strongest album. Filled from start to finish with absolutely iconic songs, some of which being their most popular, I’d consider it one of the greatest debut albums of all time. It managed to reach the number two spot on the Billboard 200, beat by The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” 

The opening track, “Break on Through (To the Other Side),” has consistently been my favorite Doors song since my first time listening. Other songs off the album, such as “Light My Fire” and “The Crystal Ship,” hold high rankings as well. 

The sound varies from the Chicago Blues, with “Back Door Man,” to German Opera, with “Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar).” A majority of the songs were birthed from poems written by Morrison, bringing an unmatched, almost mesmerizing feeling to each one.  

If you’re looking for not just an entrance into the world of The Doors, but also a lead into Classic Rock as a whole, “The Doors” is the perfect place to start.