Early Life and Education of Jim Morrison: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Jim Morrison. From birth to education, explore key events.

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

December 8, 1943: Jim Morrison Born in Melbourne, Florida

On December 8, 1943, James Douglas Morrison was born in Melbourne, Florida, to Clara Virginia and George Stephen Morrison.

December 8, 1943: Jim Morrison Born

On December 8, 1943, James Douglas Morrison was born. He became the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of The Doors, achieving fame for his energetic persona, poetic lyrics, distinctive voice, and unpredictable performances.

1947: Birth of Sister Anne Robin

In 1947, Jim Morrison's younger sister, Anne Robin, was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

1947: Witnessing Car Crash in the Desert

In 1947, at around three or four years old, Morrison allegedly witnessed a car crash in the desert involving injured Native Americans, an event he considered formative and repeatedly referenced in his works.

1948: Birth of Brother Andrew Lee

In 1948, Jim Morrison's younger brother, Andrew Lee, was born in Los Altos, California, adding to the Morrison family.

1952: Attending Elementary School in Kingsville, Texas

In 1952, Jim Morrison attended Charles H. Flato Elementary School in Kingsville, Texas, while his father was stationed at NAS Kingsville.

1957: Attending Alameda High School

In 1957, Jim Morrison began attending Alameda High School in Alameda, California for his freshman year and the first semester of his sophomore year.

1959: Return to Northern Virginia

In 1959, Jim Morrison's family moved back to Northern Virginia, impacting his high school years.

June 1961: Graduation from George Washington High School

In June 1961, Jim Morrison graduated from George Washington High School in Alexandria, Virginia, achieving high grades and demonstrating a high IQ.

1962: Transfer to Florida State University

In 1962, Jim Morrison transferred to Florida State University in Tallahassee, expanding his educational experiences.

1962: Morrison meets Mary Werbelow

In the summer of 1962, Jim Morrison met Mary Werbelow on the beach in Clearwater, Florida, marking the beginning of their relationship when they were teenagers.

September 28, 1963: Arrest at Football Game

On September 28, 1963, Jim Morrison was arrested for disturbing the peace and petty larceny while drunk at a Florida State Seminoles football game, marking a challenging moment in his college years.

August 1964: Admiral Morrison Commands Forces During Gulf of Tonkin Incident

In August 1964, Admiral Morrison, Jim's father, commanded U.S. naval forces during the Gulf of Tonkin incident, a pivotal event in escalating the Vietnam War.

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.

1965: Bohemian Lifestyle in Venice Beach

In 1965, after graduating from UCLA, Jim Morrison lived a bohemian lifestyle in Venice Beach, writing lyrics for early Doors songs and living on canned beans and LSD, according to Ray Manzarek.

1965: Gulf of Tonkin Incident Justifies Vietnam War Engagement

In 1965, the Gulf of Tonkin incident, previously overseen by Jim Morrison's father, became a leading justification for U.S. engagement in the Vietnam War.

1965: Werbelow ends relationship with Morrison

In the summer of 1965, Mary Werbelow ended her relationship with Jim Morrison in Los Angeles, a few months before the Doors began rehearsals.

May 1966: Attending Velvet Underground Concert

In May 1966, Jim Morrison reportedly attended a concert by the Velvet Underground at The Trip in Los Angeles, where he may have been influenced by the "black leather" look of Gerard Malanga.

September 18, 1967: "The Young Lion" Photo Session

On September 18, 1967, photographer Joel Brodsky took iconic black-and-white photos of a shirtless Jim Morrison in a photo shoot known as "The Young Lion", creating images frequently used for Morrison and Doors memorabilia.

December 9, 1967: Arrest Onstage in New Haven

On the evening of December 9, 1967, Jim Morrison was arrested onstage during a concert in New Haven, Connecticut, for indecency and public obscenity after an incident with a police officer backstage, adding to his rebellious image.

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".

1968: Morrison Expresses Appreciation for Rimbaud Translation

In 1968, Jim Morrison wrote a fan letter to Wallace Fowlie, thanking him for his translation of Rimbaud's verse into English, stating that the book "travels around with me."

1968: First European Performances and Growing Alcohol Dependency

In 1968, The Doors played their first European shows in London, while Jim Morrison's alcohol dependency began to affect his performances and studio recordings.

March 1, 1969: Miami Concert Incident

On March 1, 1969, during a concert at the Dinner Key Auditorium in Miami, an intoxicated Jim Morrison attempted to incite a riot and was later charged with indecent exposure, causing numerous cancellations of upcoming Doors' concerts.

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 explains distancing from family to Rolling Stone

In 1969 Jim Morrison told Hopkins during an interview for Rolling Stone magazine, that he falsely claimed his family was dead to protect them from the influence of his musical career.

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.

September 20, 1970: Conviction in Miami Trial

On September 20, 1970, Jim Morrison was convicted of indecent exposure and profanity in Miami, receiving a sentence of six months in prison and a $500 fine, though he remained free on bond while appealing the verdict.

October 2, 1970: Admiral Morrison Acknowledges Breakdown in Family Communications

On October 2, 1970, Admiral Morrison acknowledged the breakdown in family communications as the result of an argument over his assessment of his son's musical talents. He said he could not blame his son for being reluctant to initiate contact and that he was proud of him.

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: Interview with Los Angeles Free Press

In December 1970, Jim Morrison conducted an in-depth interview with Bob Chorush and Andy Kent of the Los Angeles Free Press, showcasing his involvement with counterculture media.

March 1971: Morrison takes leave and moves to Paris

In March 1971, Jim Morrison took a leave of absence from The Doors and joined his girlfriend Pamela Courson in Paris. During this time, he went on long walks, shaved his beard, lost weight, and called John Densmore to inquire about the commercial success of L.A. Woman. This was the last time Morrison spoke to a band member.

1971: Morrison's Death in Paris

In 1971, Jim Morrison died unexpectedly in a Paris apartment at the age of 27, amid conflicting witness reports, with the cause of his death remaining disputed due to the lack of an autopsy.

1971: Planned Visit Before Paris

In 1971, Jim Morrison was planning to visit the headquarters of the Los Angeles Free Press shortly before leaving for Paris, highlighting his continued support for the publication.

2005: Death of Clara Virginia Morrison

In 2005, Clara Virginia Morrison, Jim Morrison's mother, passed away, marking the end of an era for the Morrison family.

2008: Death of George Stephen Morrison

In 2008, George Stephen Morrison, Jim Morrison's father, passed away, marking the end of an era for the Morrison family.

2016: Morrison's Celtic Ancestry Revealed

In 2016, Celtic Family Magazine revealed that Jim Morrison's Morrison clan was originally from the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, and the Clelland clan (his Irish side) were from County Down in Northern Ireland.