It is on this, the 40th anniversary of Jim Morrison’s death, that we choose to share with you our finest Doors-related sightseeing photos. Why? Because they trod upon some pretty cool parts of Los Angeles when it was the coolest place in the world… and it’s a hell of a lot better than streaming together a bunch of tired puns built around “The End”, “When The Music’s Over”, “Riders On The Storm”, “The Changeling”, Mr. Mojo Risin’, slipping into unconsciousness, remembering when we were in Africa, and waking up this morning and getting ourselves a beer. OK – that last one is pretty solid, actually.
And if you’re wondering why we’ll travel 3,000 miles in either direction to photograph this stuff but can’t be bothered to check out the cover of Strange Days which is practically in our own backyard… well, hey – Murray Hill just kind of sucks.
So grab yourself a Bud Tallboy, put on some Doors (ideally their debut, which very well may be the best album ever recorded… or if you really want to be bold, Other Voices), and enjoy our little salute to Love/Death/Travel in honor of Jim. This is the best part of the trip. This is the trip, the best part…
Venice Beach, CA
Northstar & Speedway, Venice, the former site of Manzarek's apartment and an early Doors rehearsal space
Some chief in a "Born To Rock & Roll" t-shirt channeling his inner Val Kilmer on Venice Beach. We have no idea who this could be.
8911 Sunset Blvd. Former home of the London Fog, where the Doors got their first Strip residency and cut their teeth as a live act. It's now The Cat Club, which is owned by Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats. Clever.
Maybe The People Would Be The Times Or Between Clark And Hilldale
The Whisky and 9000 Sunset, where Jim edited 'HWY' and shot the last scene balancing on a rail on the roof.
Rothdell Trail, just behind the Laurel Canyon General Store. The inspiration behind "Love Street". The brown house was Jim's address for most of 1967.
The Riot House, Sunset Strip. Jim was fond of hanging off the 10th floor balcony. Shocking he's dead, really...
Barney's Beanery on Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. Jim liked to get loaded here. For what it's worth, their beer is very, very cold.
Ray Ray, Robby, & The Denz commemorate the spot on the Barney's bar where Mr. Lizard King took a leak.
The former Doors office and rehearsal space (and makeshift studio for the L.A. Woman album) on Santa Monica Blvd. Sorry for the lousy photo but we were in a rush to get to Barney's.
We saw "When You're Strange" when we were actually IN L.A., maaaaaan!
This Is Paris, Not L.A.
Jim's, um, doors...
17 Rue Beautrellis, site of the last bath 40 years ago today. Jim lived - and died - on the 4th floor.
OK, for making it through that, here’s your reward. R.I.P, Jim!
