Biography - Jim Morrison

Published by edjulya

Born in Florida to a US Marine father, James Douglas Morrison led a nomadic childhood. He moved to the West Coast in 1964 to study drama at UCLA, and it was here that he discovered poetry and philosophy. His studies soon took second fiddle to the works of William Blake, Rimbauld and Nietzche, which he absorbed with the aid of copious amounts of LSD.

The following year he founded 'The Doors' with Ray Manzerek, Robbie Krieger and John Densmore. The band's name drew inspiration from Aldous Huxley's book, 'The Doors of Perception' and their first album was released in 1967. 'The Doors' became an overnight success, Morrison conveying his poetry through iconic hits, including 'Light my Fire'' and 'Break on Through (to the other side)'.

His life was one of rock and roll excess, fuelled by drugs, alcohol and lurid on-stage behavoiur. In 1971 he moved to Paris with his wife, Pamela and his self-abuse spiralled out of control. On 3 July of that year, Jim Morrison was discovered dead in his bath from a heart attack, he was 27 years old. He is buried in Paris' famous Pére Lachaise cemetery, where he continues to draw thousands of fans every year.