Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jim Morrison

How Jim Morrison built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Jim Morrison was the lead singer and lyricist of The Doors, an American rock band. Known for his captivating stage presence, poetic lyrics, and distinctive voice, he is considered one of rock's most influential frontmen. Morrison's rebellious persona and untimely death solidified his status as a counterculture icon, symbolizing the generation gap and youth rebellion. His fame has endured since his passing, making him a prominent figure in popular culture.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Legacy & Impact

1965: The Doors Founded

In 1965, Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek founded The Doors in Venice, California, marking the beginning of a successful musical career.

1965: Graduation from UCLA Film School

In 1965, Jim Morrison completed his undergraduate degree at UCLA's film school but refused to attend the graduation ceremony, choosing instead to go to Venice Beach, marking a significant milestone in his education and artistic development.

June 1966: Opening Act for Van Morrison's Band Them

In June 1966, Jim Morrison and The Doors were the opening act at the Whisky a Go Go for Van Morrison's band Them, with Van's stagecraft influencing Jim's developing performance style.

November 1966: Production of "Break On Through" Promotional Film

In November 1966, Jim Morrison and The Doors produced a promotional film for "Break On Through (To the Other Side)", their first single release, featuring the band performing the song on a darkened set.

August 1967: "Light My Fire" Reaches Number One

In August 1967, The Doors' single "Light My Fire" spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking a significant achievement in their career.

1967: Morrison considered Wild Honey one of his favorite albums

According to record producer David Anderle, in 1967 Jim Morrison considered Brian Wilson "his favorite musician" and the Beach Boys' album Wild Honey "one of his favorite albums".

1967: Morrison's Music Ascends Charts and Claims Family is Dead

In 1967, as Jim Morrison's music ascended to the top of the charts, he had not been in contact with his family for over a year and falsely claimed that his immediate family was dead.

1968: Release of 'Waiting for the Sun'

In 1968, the Doors released their third studio album, 'Waiting for the Sun', marking another milestone in their musical career.

March 1969: Morrison Records Poetry in Los Angeles

In March 1969, Jim Morrison recorded his poetry in a professional sound studio in Los Angeles.

1969: Morrison starts HWY: An American Pastoral

In 1969 Jim Morrison started the cinematic endeavor HWY: An American Pastoral. Morrison financed the venture and formed his own production company in order to maintain complete control of the project.

1969: The Soft Parade Album Release and Morrison's Physical Changes

In 1969, Jim Morrison had gained weight and changed his style, and the Doors released "The Soft Parade", their fourth album, where each band member received individual songwriting credit for the first time.

1969: Morrison Self-Publishes Two Volumes of Poetry

In 1969, Jim Morrison self-published two volumes of poetry, titled The Lords / Notes on Vision and The New Creatures, which were later combined into a single volume.

October 1970: The Doors reconvened to record final album with Morrison

In October 1970, after a break, the Doors reconvened to record their final album with Jim Morrison, titled L.A. Woman. During these sessions, producer Paul A. Rothchild left the project, and engineer Bruce Botnick took over as producer.

December 8, 1970: Morrison Records Poetry

On December 8, 1970, Jim Morrison recorded his poetry in a professional sound studio with his personal friends in attendance.

December 1970: Unreleased Poetry from Morrison's Session

In December 1970, poetry was recorded from Jim Morrison's session, which remains unreleased to this day and is in the possession of the Courson family.

1971: The Lost Paris Tapes

In 1971 (well before his time in Paris), Jim Morrison with friend Michael McClure and producer Paul Rothchild were jamming in Los Angeles, which was later falsely promoted as Morrison's final recording made with busking Parisian musicians.

1978: An American Prayer album released

In 1978, the Doors' An American Prayer album was released, featuring segments from the 1969 recording session, and reached No. 54 on the music charts.

1981: Rothchild compares Morrison to Bing Crosby in Documentary

In the 1981 documentary The Doors: A Tribute to Jim Morrison, Rothchild related his first impression of Jim Morrison as being a "Rock and Roll Bing Crosby".