How Jim Morrison Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

How the contributions of Jim Morrison continue to shape the world today.

Jim Morrison was the lead singer and lyricist of the Doors, a highly influential rock band. Known for his captivating stage presence, poetic lyrics, and distinctive voice, he became a cultural icon representing rebellion and the counterculture. His life and early death contributed to his enduring fame, solidifying his place as a legendary figure in rock music history.

Sections (4)

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

October 17, 1947: Car Accident on Indian Reservation

On October 17, 1947, a truck accident occurred on an Indian reservation, leading to one fatality of a non-Indian passenger on his way home after his last day of work. Jim Morrison's recollection of the event was later amplified and dramatized.

1947: Witnessing a Car Crash

In 1947, when Jim Morrison was between three and four years old, he allegedly witnessed a car crash in the desert involving a truck and injured Native Americans, an event he later described as formative.

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

On September 18, 1967, photographer Joel Brodsky took a series of black-and-white photos of Jim Morrison, shirtless, known as "The Young Lion" photo session. These images became iconic.

December 1970: Unreleased Poetry from the December 1970 Session

As of December 1970, some of the poetry recorded during the December 1970 session remains unreleased and is in the possession of the Courson family.

1971: The Lost Paris Tapes recording date

Contrary to the story advanced by Philippe Dalecky that The Lost Paris Tapes were Jim Morrison's final recording made with Parisian musicians, experts determined the recordings were instead Morrison, Michael McClure, and Paul Rothchild jamming in Los Angeles well before Paris in 1971.

1971: Alice Cooper's Tribute Song

In 1971, Alice Cooper's song "Desperado", from the album Killer, was a tribute to Jim Morrison.

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1973: Shield Stolen from Morrison's Grave

In 1973, the shield placed over Jim Morrison's grave by French officials was stolen.

1974: Courson's death and inheritance

In 1974, Pamela Courson, Jim Morrison's girlfriend, died and was buried as Pamela Susan Morrison. Her parents petitioned the court for inheritance of Morrison's estate, and the court judged their relationship as a common-law marriage.

1978: Release of "An American Prayer" album

In 1978, The Doors released the album "An American Prayer", which included segments from Jim Morrison's 1969 recording session. The album reached No. 54 on the music charts.

1981: Placement of Marble Bust and Gravestone

In 1981, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Jim Morrison's death, Croatian sculptor Mladen Mikulin voluntarily placed a marble bust and a new gravestone with Morrison's name at his grave, with the approval of the cemetery curators.

1981: Rothchild describes his first impression of Morrison

In the 1981 documentary "The Doors: A Tribute to Jim Morrison", Paul Rothchild described his first impression of Jim Morrison as being a "Rock and Roll Bing Crosby", highlighting Morrison's vocal style.

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1988: Release of "The Lost Writings of Jim Morrison Volume I"

In 1988, "The Lost Writings of Jim Morrison Volume I", titled "Wilderness", was released and became an instant New York Times Bestseller.

1988: Theft of Marble Bust

In 1988, the marble bust of Jim Morrison that was placed at his grave in 1981 was stolen after having been defaced through the years by vandals.

1989: Mikulin Creates Another Bust of Morrison

In 1989, Mladen Mikulin created another bust of Jim Morrison, but this piece was not placed at the gravesite.

1990: Release of "The American Night"

In 1990, "The American Night", Volume II of "The Lost Writings of Jim Morrison", was released and became a success.

The American Night: The Writings of Jim Morrison, Vol. 2

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1990: Placement of Flat Stone on Grave

In 1990, Jim Morrison's father, George Stephen Morrison, placed a flat stone on his grave after consulting with E. Nicholas Genovese. The bronze plaque bears a Greek inscription that translates to "true to his own spirit" or "according to his own daemon."

1991: Oliver Stone's Biopic Film Release

In 1991, Oliver Stone directed a biopic film about Jim Morrison, with actor Val Kilmer portraying him. The film's depiction of Morrison was heavily criticized by many who knew him personally.

1993: Posthumous Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 1993, Jim Morrison, along with the other members of The Doors, was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy as a rock icon.

2001: Mikulin Creates Bronze Portrait of Morrison

In 2001, Mladen Mikulin created a bronze portrait (death mask) of Jim Morrison; this piece was also not placed at the gravesite.

2005: Werbelow interview with St. Petersburg Times

In 2005, Mary Werbelow revealed in an interview with the St. Petersburg Times that Jim Morrison had told her the first three albums by The Doors were about her, but that she was not a fan of the band and never attended their concerts.

2007: References in "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story"

In 2007, the film "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" included numerous references to Jim Morrison.

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December 8, 2010: Posthumous Pardon

On December 8, 2010, the 67th anniversary of Jim Morrison's birth, Florida Governor Charlie Crist and the state clemency board unanimously granted him a complete posthumous pardon regarding the 1969 Miami indecent exposure incident.

2011: Rolling Stone Readers' Pick: Best Lead Singers

In 2011, a Rolling Stone readers' pick placed Jim Morrison in fifth place of the magazine's "Best Lead Singers of All Time".

2011: Inspiration for Bollywood Film "Rockstar"

In 2011, the lead character of a Bollywood film, "Rockstar" starring Ranbir Kapoor, was inspired by Jim Morrison.

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2012: Skrillex Releases "Breakn' a Sweat" with Morrison Vocals

In 2012, electronic music producer Skrillex released "Breakn' a Sweat," which contained vocals from an interview with Jim Morrison.

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2013: Morrison's Notebook Sells at Auction

In 2013, another of Jim Morrison's notebooks from Paris, found alongside the Paris Journal in the 127 Fascination box, sold for $250,000 at auction. The box also contained a home movie of Pamela Courson and older notebooks and journals.

2019: Agnès Varda's last interview

In 2019, film director Agnès Varda gave her last media interview before her death, where she confirmed that she was one of only four mourners to attend Jim Morrison's burial.

May 2025: Recovery of Stolen Bust by Paris Police

In May 2025, the Paris police recovered Mladen Mikulin's original bust of Jim Morrison. The discovery was made by chance while the police were investigating another matter.