Wiki Spotlight: Jim Morrison
James Douglas "Jim"
Morrison, (December 8, 1943
– July 3, 1971) was a singer,
songwriter, writer, and
poet. Born in Melbourne,
Florida, he was the lead
singer and lyricist of the
popular American rock band
The Doors, and is considered
to be one of the most charismatic
frontmen in the history
of rock music. He was also
an author of several poetry
books, a documentary, short
film and an early music
video ("The Unknown
Soldier"). Morrison's
death at the age of 27 in
Paris, France stunned his
fans; the circumstances
of his death and secret
burial have been the subject
of endless rumors and play
a significant part in the
mystique that continues
to surround him.
Morrison remains one of
the most popular and influential
singers in rock history,
as The Doors' catalogue
has become a staple of classic
rock radio stations. To
this day, he is widely regarded
as the prototypical rock
star: surly, sexy and mysterious.
The leather pants he was
fond of wearing both onstage
and off have since become
stereotyped as rock star
apparel.
Morrison's performances
have influenced many, including
Richard Ashcroft, Patti
Smith, Ian Curtis, David
Gahan, Henry Rollins, Ian
Astbury, Perry Farrell,
Scott Weiland, Trent Reznor,
Scott Stapp, Eddie Vedder,
Jude Rawlins, Siouxsie Sioux
and Marilyn Manson.
The legendary punk prototypes
Iggy and the Stooges are
said to have formed after
lead singer Iggy Pop was
inspired by Morrison while
attending a Doors concert
in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
One of his most popular
songs, "The Passenger,"
was based on one of Morrison's
poems.[citation needed]
Beat poet Michael McClure
has written a poem, For
Jim Morrison, in honor of
their friendship. He recites
this work at his poetry
readings with some regularity,
often to the accompaniment
of Manzarek's keyboards.
On a more cerebral level,
Wallace Fowlie, professor
emeritus of French literature
at Duke University and internationally
recognized expert on the
poet Arthur Rimbaud, wrote
Rimbaud and Jim Morrison,
subtitled "The Rebel
as Poet – A Memoir."
In this book, Fowlie recounts
his surprise at receiving
a fan letter from Morrison
who, in 1968, thanked him
for his latest translation
of Rimbaud's verse into
English. "I don't read
French easily," he
wrote, "...your book
travels around with me."
Fowlie went on to give lectures
on numerous campuses comparing
the lives, philosophies
and poetry of Morrison and
Rimbaud...
More: Wikipedia about Jim
Morrison |
