The Doorways is among the best-selling music acts of all time, however the psychedelic rock group’s rise to fame was hardly assured. In a brand new interview on CBS Information Sunday Morning, surviving members John Densmore and Robby Krieger shared reminiscences from their early days, together with Densmore’s preliminary reservations about lead singer Jim Morrison.
“He was so shy, it was ridiculous,” the drummer stated. “And I assumed, ‘This isn’t the following Mick Jagger! However I like taking part in music, so I’ll idiot round right here.’”
However as Krieger defined, it was Morrison’s lyrics that gave them confidence. “They had been so completely different than something that was on the market,” the guitarist stated.
“Gifted,” Densmore added, earlier than quoting “Moonlight Drive” lyrics. “‘Let’s swim to the moon. Let’s climb by means of the tide…’ A psychedelic love track. Wow!”
The group, which additionally included late keyboardist Ray Manzarek, shaped within the Los Angeles neighborhood of Venice 60 years in the past and obtained their begin at a now-defunct nightclub referred to as the London Fog in close by West Hollywood. Then got here gigs on the still-extant Whisky a Go Go nightclub, only a few doorways down, and airplay on L.A.] deejay Dave Diamond’s radio present.
“He would name us on a regular basis and say, ‘Hey, man. Each time I play “Mild My Hearth,” folks go nuts!’” Krieger stated.
The songs “Mild My Hearth” and “Whats up, I Love You” hit No. 1, and The Doorways finally offered greater than 100 million data worldwide. However behind the scenes, Morrison struggled with medicine and alcohol, and he died in 1971 at age 27.
Within the interview, Densmore recalled feeling that possibly Morrison was “only a capturing star that’ll be a fast impression.”
And the reality of Morrison’s substance abuse was arduous for his bandmates to simply accept, Densmore stated. “I imply, we miss his artistry like loopy,” he stated. “We don’t miss his self-destruction.”
Today, Krieger continues to be taking part in Doorways music on the Whisky a Go Go each month, and Densmore not too long ago joined him for one of many concert events.
“Nicely, these two geezers are nonetheless respiration,” Densmore, 80, stated of him and Krieger, 79. “Keith [Richards] and Mick [Jagger] are 80, and so they’re on the market pumpin’. There’s different roads.”
“We’re nonetheless right here,” Krieger added with fun.
CBS Information Sunday Morning, Sundays, 9/8c, CBS