1. The Doors
Members – Jim Morrison (vocals), Ray Manzarek (keyboards), Robby Krieger (guitar), John Densmore (drums)
Formed in 1965, after Morrison met Manzarek at UCLA film school
Morrison suffered from stage fright so badly that he had to face the band
Recorded a demo in 1966 & became the house band at the Whisky-A-Go-Go.
Fired after four months for performing the explicit The End
This was just the type of exaggerated drama that Electra records signed them for 1966

2. Their debut, The Doors (#2, 1967) led to immediate success
Light My Fire (#1, 1967)
The End got playtime on “progressive” FM radio
Morrison was known for his dark psychological imagery, even as he was being featured on teen magazines like 16
The albums Strange Days (#3, 1967) & Waiting For the Sun (#1, 1968) both spawned hit singles and were best selling albums

3. August 1968 – Morrison arrested aboard a plane en route to Phoenix
March 1969 – Morrison arrested for “lewd and lascivious behavior” during a performance in Miami, FL
His behavior began to have serious affects on the band
His court proceedings kept him in or around Miami for most of 1969
No recording or touring possible
His drinking and drug use was affecting his performance
Concert promoters were hesitant to book The Doors, because of Morrison’s erratic behavior

4. 1993 – inducted into the RRHoF
Some began to speculate whether Morrison was out of control or just conflicted about his own celebrity
After recording L.A. Woman (#9, 1971), Morrison takes a leave of absence from the band
The band never officially broke up; but most believed this was the end of The Doors
March Morrison moves to Paris w/ his wife in and lived in seclusion
July 3, 1971 – Jim Morrison found dead in his bathtub, due to heart failure (no autopsy, it is suspected that he died of a heroin overdose)
1993 – inducted into the RRHoF
Ranked #41 on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of Rock & Roll
2 songs on the 500 Greatest Songs in Rock & Roll