Jim Morrison- The First Rock God

By: Greg Rector

As I wrote about previously I was overwhelmed seeing Freddie Mercury sing at Wembley Stadium in 1986. He is the best frontman I have ever seen perform live. There is one man I desperately wish I had been able to sing live though. His name is Jim Morrison, and he died at the age of 27 sorry to all those fans of Kurt Kobain and Amy Winehouse those two are not members of the “27 Club” Those people are Brian Jones (Rolling Stones) Janis Joplin Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison who died on July 3rd 1971.

No one beats Jim Morrison onstage drunk or not when Jim Morrison hit the stage his presence alone sent girls into a tizzy and his booming voice was simply incredible. From the earliest times, I can ever remember I have loved “The Doors” musically, and most importantly I have been enthralled with Jim Morrison’s voice. Oh and here’s a photograph of Jim Morrison, long before the “Preppie Look” in the 80s that people today laugh at.

I recently watched various “First Time Listening To” a song on YouTube featuring The Doors. I wasn’t shocked that so many young people had never heard of The Doors nor did they know much about Jim Morrison. One young lady from England said “Van Morrison” which makes sense since Van Morrison is much better known in the UK. Jim Morrison did learn a few things from Van Morrison like his stage presence. Didn’t matter which hit song of The Doors was being watched for the first time, in every single reaction I watched the people who reacted all were stunned by the voice of Jim Morrison.

Didn’t matter to me which song by The Doors I watched “First Reactions” I was most shocked watching the reactions to my favorite rock song ever written in my opinion “Roadhouse Blues” which was on The Doors’ album Morrison Hotel which was released in February 1970.

Nothing tops this song for me. It is so driven by Robby Kreiger on guitar John Densmore on drums and the amazing Ray Manzarek on keyboards and synthesizer. Notice there is no bass player? That part was looked after by Ray Manzarek. Yes, Jim Morrison was arrested several times on stage. This is where I call Jim Morrison the”First Rock God.” Just watch him in command of the entire audience. Mick Jagger Roger Daltrey and the rest of the 1960s singers weren’t as strong on stage as Jim Morrison was. Now this is also a rare song that wasn’t written by Jim Morrison. Every member of The Doors wrote the song and contributed to the music. The “Scat” section in the middle of the song is something I know off by heart. Please oh please never say “Passion Lady” as I’ve corrected so many folks it’s “ASHEN LADY!!!”

This couple was incredible listening to the Roadhouse Blues. Now knowing The Doors as well as I do I have been a fan since I have memories of what happened in 1968 and beyond musically. No song I have ever listened to has been as great as the Roadhouse Blues. I used to have the Roadhouse Blues played at one place I worked when we made a deal our song would play over the office. Seeing their reaction though made me very happy to see how both of them reacted to my favorite song.

Now I also witnessed on YouTube Miley Cyrus (With Robby Kreiger on guitar) doing a cover version of the Roadhouse Blues. This is one version of the song I will never ever listen to. I am a feminist from the word go except when it comes to any woman singing the Roadhouse Blues. I am putting her version in this article but with this song, no one can touch Jim Morrison and The Doors. I mean I like Miley Cyrus but there’s zero chance in hell her voice can be as strong or as powerful as Jim Morrison’s.

I urge all of you younger folks who never have listened to The Doors or know about Jim Morrison outside of the film (Yes, Val Kilmer played a great version of Jim Morrison) in the 1991 movie “The Doors”. To go out and learn why for my money Jim Morrison is the ‘First Rock God” Oliver Stone did take liberties of course as every Hollywood film does. Do not believe the Oliver Stone version of Jim Morrison.

I wrote this article in memory of my cousin by marriage Joe who passed away today. Joe was the man who turned me into a fan of The Doors and for that very reason, I am forever grateful to you Joe.