Jim Morrison (1943-1971)

Jim Morrison (1943-1971)

Jim Morrison was an American singer-songwriter and poet, best remembered as the lead vocalist of the Doors. Due to his poetic lyrics, distinctive voice, wild personality, performances, and the dramatic circumstances surrounding his life and early death, Morrison is regarded by music critics and fans as one of the most iconic and influential frontmen in rock music history. Morrison co-founded the Doors during the summer of 1965 in Venice, California. The band spent two years in obscurity until shooting to prominence with their #1 single in the United States, "Light My Fire", taken from their self-titled debut album. Morrison recorded a total of six studio albums with the Doors, all of which sold well and received critical acclaim.

Accomplishments: 

The Doors achieved national recognition after signing with Elektra Records in 1967. The single "Light My Fire" spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in July/August 1967. This was a far cry from the Doors playing warm up for Simon and Garfunkel and playing at a high school as they did in Connecticut that same year. Later, the Doors appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, a popular Sunday night variety series that had introduced the Beatles and Elvis Presley to the United States.

The Doors achieved national recognition after signing with Elektra Records in 1967. The single "Light My Fire" spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in July/August 1967. This was a far cry from the Doors playing warm up for Simon and Garfunkel and playing at a high school as they did in Connecticut that same year. Later, the Doors appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, a popular Sunday night variety series that had introduced the Beatles and Elvis Presley to the United States.

• In 1993, the Doors were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

• In 1998, "Light My Fire" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame under the category Rock (track).

• In 1998, VH-1 compiled a list of the 100 Greatest Artists of Rock and Roll. The Doors were ranked number 20 by top music artists while Rock on the Net readers ranked them number 15.

• In 2000, the Doors were ranked number 32 on VH1's 100 Greatest Hard Rock Artists, and "Light My Fire" was ranked number seven on VH1's Greatest Rock Songs.

• In 2002, their self-titled album' was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame under the category Rock (Album).

• In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked the Doors 41st on their list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

• Also in 2004, Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time included two of their songs: "Light My Fire" at number 35 and "The End" at number 328.

• In 2007, the Doors received a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement.

• In 2007, the Doors received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

• In 2010, Riders On The Storm was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame under the category Rock (track).

• In 2011, the Doors received a Grammy Award in Best Long Form Music Video for the film When You're Strange, directed by Tom DiCillo.

• In 2012, Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time included three of their studio albums; the self-titled album at number 42, L.A. Woman at number 362, and Strange Days at number 407.

• In 2014, the Doors were voted by British Classic Rock magazine’s readers to receive that year’s Roll of Honour Tommy Vance "Inspiration" Award.

• In 2014, The Doors - R-Evolution was nominated for Film of the Year at 2014 Classic Rock Roll Honour Awards.

• In 2015, the Library of Congress selected The Doors for inclusion in the National Recording Registry based on its cultural, artistic or historical significance.

• The Doors were honored for the 50th anniversary of their self-titled album release, January 4, 2017, with the city of Los Angeles proclaiming that date "The Day of the Doors."  At a ceremony in Venice, Los Angeles Councilmember Mike Bonin introduced surviving members Densmore and Krieger, presenting them with a framed proclamation and lighting a Doors sign beneath the famed 'Venice' letters.