Doors 1970

Early January: Interview with Howard Smith - The Doors Office - Hollywood, CA
It's a rainy day in LA sometime before lunch. Jim is interviewed for an hour amongst the office work atmosphere. He gives Howard a hard time seemingly trying to be difficult and provoking. They talk about many topics but Jim seems to only half answer the questions in a manner that suggests he does not like something about the questions or the person asking them. Jim seems bored and attempts to entertain himself by putting Howard on throughout the interview with humor.

Early January: Elektra's New Office Party
Jim, Babe Hill, Tom Baker, and Danny Sugerman stand on Pamela's store Themis and watch people go into the party which is to show off the new office. Jim really didn't want to go to the party but finally suggests that he might as well make an appearance since he "paid for the fucking place" and "might as well see where the money went".
Tom Baker, once inside and after the crowd gives Jim a chance to get away, drags Morrison down a hallway and into the corporate office spaces. Tom antagonizes Jim by saying "you paid for all this corporate shit" "you hypocrite, Morrison, you're financing the very authority you claim interest in overthrowing." Jim tells Tom that none of it means anything to him but Tom won't stop. He knows how to get to Jim and finally he does. Jim blows up and pushes Baker over a desk and begins to destroy the office. Soon a bunch of people come in and get him back down the hallway, out the front door and into a limo out front. Vice President of Elektra hollers at the driver to "get him the hell away from here!"

Thu. Jan. 15: Luncheon Interview with Patricia Kennealy - Midtown New York Japanese Restaurant
This is Jim and Patricia's first time together since September. Talk centers around the upcoming rehearsal tomorrow afternoon. Jim has made sure Patricia was sent a backstage pass so she can come to the sound check.

Fri. Jan. 16: Rehearsal for Felt Forum Shows - Madison Square Garden - NYC
    Patricia attends and meets Pamela for the first time. Pam comes out from the depths of the dressing room and introduces herself "Hi, I'm Pam, Jim's wife?" Leon Barnard, The Doors publicist, is with them and tells Pam how Patricia writes for Jazz & Pop Magazine. Patricia checks out Pamela and is not impressed. Although she finds her pretty Patricia cannot see what Jim sees in her beyond that. She doesn't appear to offer anything else. Patricia finds her to be shallow and not very intelligent. They are total opposites.
    Pam heads back into the dressing room to watch her TV show and Patricia goes out into the forum to say hello to Jim. The Doors are in the middle of a song. After the song Jim makes eye contact with Patricia and reaches out his hand. She makes her way toward the stage and he pulls her up for a kiss on the cheek and some small talk. The band starts to make some noise and Patricia comes down off stage and takes a seat in the orchestra section.
    After a few songs at concert strength and a little moving around the hall by Patricia to hear different vantage points Jim calls for a break and they sit together in the orchestra seats. Patricia asks Jim about the "Wife" statement Pamela had made. Jim shrugs it off saying they don't even live together and they have separate lives and changes the topic to music asking about their sound and then whispers "I want to fuck you so much, right here on the floor, make love to you right here in front of everybody." "Don't tempt me", Patricia replies. The flirting continues for a while and then Jim must go back to work. He invites her to stop backstage between shows tomorrow night and to bring a friend. Patricia will be there. (Strange Days pp. 108 -111)

Sat. Jan. 17: Felt Forum - (First of 2 Nights) Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
This is the start of the "Roadhouse Blues Tour". The Doors do two shows a night both Saturday and Sunday in this 4,000-5,000 seat auditorium choosing this smaller venue over last years Madison Square Garden. The Doors are going for a more intimate setting with better sound. The concerts are being recorded for the upcoming album Absolutely Live. This crescent shaped 'forum' is located downstairs, inside the Garden, and resembles the atmosphere of last summer's successful shows at the Aquarius Theater. These performances go very well and the band is in fine form this weekend. Also performing: The Lonnie Mack Trio (Lonnie is featured on Morrison Hotel)

Early Show (Saturday):
Roadhouse Blues, Ship of Fools, Break on Through, Peace Frog, Blue Sunday, Alabama Song, Back Door Man, Five To One, Who Do You Love, Little Red Rooster, Money, Light My Fire, Soul Kitchen (encore)

Late Show (Saturday):
Roadhouse Blues, Break on Through, Ship of Fools, Crawlin' King Snake, Alabama Song, Back Door Man, Five to One, Build Me a Woman, Who Do You Love, Wild Child (after 2 false starts they forego the song and move on), When The Music's Over, Light My Fire, Soul Kitchen, "Bring Out your dead"... The End, "Across the Sea"... The End.

Review: Hofstra University Chronicle, Douglas Sizer commented:
"The Doors have gone back to their earth, their roots, way back to those 1967 Whisky moments in L.A., where singer and musicians come together in a tightly interwoven package of melodic delight. They have given up the orchestrated stuff and didn't do one song from the Soft Parade album. The closest they came to that material was when they started 'Wild Child' and couldn't get it together; the guitar wasn't harmonizing with Morrison's voice and they stopped dead, he held his nose, shook his head and groaned 'uunnh-uuhh,' meaning 'no good.' They did a haunting chant in the 'Horse Latitudes' vein where Manzarek tinkled bells, Krieger emitted eerie squeaks by playing his guitar strings below the bridge and Densmore rubbed the cymbals in scraping rasp all the while James is screaming 'Bring out your Dead. . . Bring out your Dead' like some twelfth-century flagellant. They ended their first night with 'The End' and when they left you could see they had drained all their passions out and were completely spent, like the boy who has just finished his first taste of love-making. The audience clapped and clapped, as they had been doing all night." ("Morrison, Doors at the Felt Forum: Pre-Parade Style Scores Heavily," Hofstra University Chronicle, Jan. 1970)

Review: New York Times critic Mike Jahn commented:
"Saturday, at least two dozen teen-age girls and quite a few boys had to be dragged away from the Doors' singer, Jim Morrison, by stagehands. The other three Doors played on unperturbed. Mr. Morrison has had trouble before when the police of other cities found his performances variously lewd, lascivous, indecent and profane. But by the standards of the Off-Broadway stage, Mr. Morrison's performance is fairly tame. The Doors played their familiar songs quite well, much better than in last year's concert in the Garden." (New York Times, Jan. 19, 1970)

Sun. Jan. 18: Felt Forum - (Second of 2 Nights) Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
The highlight of these four performances is the finale Sunday night where Jim and the band are in high spirits ripping through the playlist nailing song after song in an upbeat one after the next barrage but one particular piece definitely stands out... The Doors gets to do the entire 'Celebration of the Lizard', a total rarity, which is applauded enthusiastically by the crowd. The Doors finish strong with a generous finale featuring New Yorker, John Sebastian and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young drummer Dallas Taylor. This evening's performance is as good as it gets! Also performing: The Lonnie Mack Trio

Early Show: (Sunday)
Roadhouse Blues, Ship of Fools, Break on Through, Universal Mind, Peace Frog, Alabama Song (band leads off out of tune, stops and starts again), Alabama Song, Back Door Man, Five To One, Moonlight Drive, "Horse Latitudes", Moonlight Drive, Who Do You Love, Money, Light My Fire, When The Music's Over

Review: Billboard, Fred Kirby commented on the early show
"The Elektra Records artists actually were more businesslike than often has been there wont, but Morrison conveyed none of his famed eroticism. His voice, however, was distinctive whether singing or screaming. The concentration was on blues and simple rock. 'Light My Fire,' which gave organist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger good instrumental bits, was a fitting climax." (Billboard, Jan. 31, 1970)

Late Show: (Sunday)
Roadhouse Blues, Peace Frog, Alabama Song, Back Door Man, Five to One, Celebration of the Lizard, Build Me a Woman, When The Music's Over, Soul Kitchen, "When I was Back in Seminary School...", Light My Fire, Rock Me, Close To You, Ship of Fools, Goin' To New York, Maggie M'Gill, Gloria, "Coda Queen", My Eyes Have Seen You

Mon. Jan. 19: Hilton Hotel West Penthouse Suite - New York, NY - West 54th Street
The doors host a press party at the New York Hilton arranged by Elektra president Jac Holzman. The guests arrive by private elevator to the spacious suite with windows overlooking Central Park. In attendance are news and press people, musicians that are in town, assorted Warhol superstars, Pam and Patricia and of course The doors. Patricia attends dressed unbelievably excessive even for this room and with cocaine.

Jim is with Pam tonight but runs into Patricia alone for some face to face. Jim teases Patricia about her attire "Why are you dressed like Genghis Khan's favorite wife? Jim likes it but has not seen her dressed like this before. Jim then mentions Jac is playing Hitchcock's The Thirty-nine Steps at midnight. Jim then pulls her aside a little away from the party and whispers in her ear. (Strange Days p. 113-114)

Tue. Jan. 20: Jim Calls Patricia
    Patricia has been up since 10 am working. Jim calls in the afternoon and asks to come over. An hour later they are making love in her bed as Jim arrives and almost immediately rips off her clothes. After making love they cuddle and talk about family and Jim's parents. He replies they were bullies and did worse than beat him. Jim asks to not talk about them anymore and Patricia goes on about her solid relationship with her sister and parents. Jim says she is lucky to have such a relationship. Later this afternoon Jim does two interviews and then attends Elektra President Jac Holzman's party in the early evening. (Strange Days pp. 114-116)

Tue. Jan. 20: Jac Holzman's Party - Butterfield House West 12th Street, NYC
    The party is for Jac's girlfriend critic Ellen Sander and begins at 7 pm. Patricia arrives promptly at 7 pm with friend David Walley. Many of the faces from the concert and Hilton party are in attendance. The Doors are already here. Dinner is served shortly after 7 pm and Jac plays the original Phil Spector mix of Let It Be on his unbelievably high tech sound system afterwards over plum pudding dessert.
    Jim sees Patricia after dinner and offers her a sherry. Jim asks about David, Patricia's guest, and jokes if they are married. Jim invites Patricia to his hotel later. Patricia figures Pam will be around and declines the offer.
    Later at the party, Pam comes over and sits amongst Patricia's circle. Pam almost immediately begins talk about Jim. She says that Jim's soul is gone from his body and although he can still write songs they're just not the same - not all about her anymore. She talks about how when they met it was fate but that Jim outgrew her and it's a cosmic mistake that they're still together. People slowly excuse themselves from the circle but Patricia sticks around long enough to receive an invitation to dinner tomorrow night with Pam, Jim, Leon and Raeanne Rubenstein who photographed Pamela and Jim at Themis just recently with some others at the shop.
    Jim sees Patricia later in the party and finds out about the invitation to dinner. He suggests that Patricia must like to live dangerously. Patricia feels that nobody has any idea about them but people are beginning to notice. She is about the only person Jim has gone out of his way to talk to tonight - and it is obvious to everybody but Patricia. (Strange Days pp. 117-121)

Wed. Jan. 21: Raeanne's Apartment - Third Avenue, NYC
    Patricia arrives with David out of the snowstorm as Jim, Pam and Leon are all in the kitchen with Raeanne looking at the Themis pictures which are intended for a fashion magazine layout. They all soon decide to walk to dinner in the now ankle deep snow to the fabulous Cafe Il Faro on East 14th street. Jim must be drunk as he falls a few times on the way to the restaurant trying to catch snowflakes on his tongue. Dinner is awkward with visible vibes between Jim and Patricia. After dinner Patricia and David say goodbye to the group as Jim, Pam and Leon catch a cab under the canopy outside on way to a midnight showing of Hitchcock's Topaz. Everybody exchanges farewell hugs - even Pam and Patricia! This is the first, last, and only time they embrace amicably. (Strange Days pp. 121-123)

Late January: Bitter End - John Sebastian Show - Bleecker Street - Greenwich Village, NYC
    Jim stops by to see John Sebastian play a late night show. John has just played with the band a few days earlier at The Forum. John is a local artist who played with the Lovin' Spoonful and recorded on Morrison Hotel with The Doors.

"Those who recognizes Jim standing in the back of the club, in a wool shirt and Frye boots, were shocked at his glazed eyes, dead expression, and bloated affect. The Village Voice, which had so championed the Doors, now lowered the boom: "[Morrison] has become a shadow of himself, with his face grown chubby, his body showing flab, his once-shoulder length hair receding into his forehead." (Jim Morrison - Life, Death, Legend p. 365)

Fri. Jan. 23: Patricia's Apartment
Jim bursts in the apartment and hands Patricia a little box. He drags her into the living room and begs her to open it. It's an expensive beautiful antique ring. Patricia can't believe how serious Jim is and tries it on a few fingers until she finds the one it fits best. Amongst the snow falling outside, Jim and Patricia sit on pillows and he asks her to sing. She finally gets up the courage and sings him a medieval love lyric:

They sing back and forth for some time with Patricia teaching him a Goddess chant. Jim is impressed with her singing and it reminds him of a year earlier when he forced Ellen to sing him a song during an interview and terribly embarrassed her in front of Patricia and others. They joke about her inviting him to her birthday party and he says he should have made Patricia sing instead. Jim spends the night. (Strange Days pp. 123-124)

Sat. Jan. 24: Patricia's Apartment

Sun. Jan. 25: Honolulu Int'l Center Arena - Honolulu, HI (CANCELLED)

Thu. Feb. 5 - Fri. Feb. 6: Winterland Arena - San Francisco, CA
The Doors final performances in San Francisco go exceptionally well. Some of the songs played tonight are "When the Music's Over", "Five to One" and a rare performance of "Roadhouse Blues". Also performing: Doug Kershaw; Cold Blood; Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen.

Sat. Feb. 7: Long Beach Sports Arena - Long Beach, CA

Fri. Feb. 13: Allen Theatre - Cleveland, OH

Sat. Feb. 14: Allen Theatre - Cleveland, OH

Sun. Feb. 15: Chicago Auditorium Theatre - Chicago, IL

Fri. Mar. 10: Aardvark Cinematheque - Chicago, IL

March 15 - April 4: Proposed Tour of Japan

Thu. Mar. 26: Federal Court - Phoenix, AZ

Fri. Mar. 27: Queen Elizabeth and Orpheum Theatres - Vancouver, Canada

Tue. Apr. 7: The Lords and The New Creatures

Fri. Apr. 10: Boston Arena -Boston. MA

Sat. Apr. 11: The Salt Palace - Salt Lake City, UT (Not confirmed on Doors official site)

Sun. Apr. 12: Univ. of Denver Arena - Denver, CO

Sat. Apr. 18: Honolulu Conv. Center - Honolulu, HI

Mon. Apr. 20: Testimony Reversed

Fri. May 8: Cobo Arena - Detroit, MI

Sat. May 9: Veterans Memorial Auditorium - Columbus, OH

Sun. May 10: Baltimore Civic Center - Baltimore, MD

Fri. June 5: Seatle Center Coliseum - Seattle, WA

Sat. June 6: P.N.E. Coliseum - Vancouver, Canada

Tue. June 9: Outside Police Jurisdiction

Sat. June 27: Georges V Hotel - Paris, France

Sat. Aug. 1: The Now Explosion - WPIX-TV (Channell 11) New York, NY

Thu. Aug. 6 - Fri. Aug. 14: Miami Trial

Fri. Aug. 14: The Hump - Marco Polo Resort Hotel - Miami, FL

Mon. Aug. 17 - Thu. Aug. 20: The State of Florida v. James Douglas Morrison

Fri. Aug. 21: Bakersfield Civic Auditorium - Bakersfield. CA

Sat. Aug. 22: San Diego Int'l Sports Arena - San Diego, CA

Tue. Aug. 25 - Thu. Aug. 27: The State of Florida v. James Douglas Morrison

Fri. Aug. 28: Plane Flight to Isle of Wight

Sat. Aug. 29: Isle of Wight Festival - Isle of Wight, England

Sun. Aug. 30 Second European Tour (CANCELLED)

Mon. Aug. 31: Montreux Festival - Switzerland (CANCELLED)

Wed. Sept. 2: K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark

Wed. Sept. 2: Miami Trial

Thu. Sept. 3: Miami Trial

Thu. Sept. 10: Bremen, Germany

Fri. Sept. 11: Rome, Italy

Sat. Sept. 12: Milan, Italy

Mon. Sept. 14: Olympia, Paris, France

Mon. Sept. 14; Miami Trial

Thu. Sept. 17: Mami Trial

Fri. Sept. 18: Miami Trial

Fri. Sept. 18: Jimi Hendrix Dies in London

Sat. Sept. 19: Miami Trial

Sun. Sept. 20: Miami Trial

This is what the letter read sent by Jim to the artist T.E Breitenbach suggesting a theme for the painting featured above - letter is dated 10/9/70
The painting is called a triptych or "paneled painting" and was done in the winter of 1970 into 1971

Dear Mr. Breitenbach,
        Thank you for your interest. Maybe we can do something.
        Try doing a triptych. The left panel depicting a radiant moon-lit beach and an endless stream of young naked couples running silently along the water's edge.
On the beach, a tiny infant grins at the universe and around its crib stand several ancient, old people.
        The center -- a modern city or metropolis of the future at noon, insane with activity.
        The last panel -- a view through a car windshield at night on a long straight desert highway.
        If you come up with something related to these themes within the next four or five months I'm sure I can use it.
        Thanks again.
                                     Sincerely,
                                     James Morrison

ABOUT THE ARTIST

In his high school years, T. E. Breitenbach played all of the Doors' tunes in his rock and roll band. (He played lead guitar and still has his Fender Jaguar guitar.) He admired the colorful, surrealistic lyrics of Jim Morrison, and wrote to tell him so, offering at the same time to paint an album cover. Jim Morrison replied favorably and sent his ideas for the painting, along with two autographed, private-editions of his poetry, The New Creatures and An American Prayer.
          Breitenbach set to work immediately, painting it in his college dorm room, and drawing on images from the books for the center panel. Morrison was pleased with the results and asked if he could use the painting on the cover of an album of poetry he was working on.
         The final contact with Morrison was a note from his secretary Katherine Lisciandro, indicating that Mr. Morrison had taken up residence in Paris for a while.
He died there, July 3, 1971 at age 27.
         The project Jim Morrison was working on was the An American Prayer album, released well after his death.
Unfortunately, his intention to use the painting was not known by the record's producers.
         In 1990 Breitenbach showed the painting to Oliver Stone, while he was filming the movie The Doors. Stone forwarded the information to Morrison biographer Jerry Hopkins who explained the meaning of the painting: The left panel represents a recurring dream that Jim Morrison had. The center panel reflects his interest in chaos and madness. The right panel refers to an incident in his childhood, when he and his father came upon a road accident in the desert. It was the first time he experienced fear. This is also referred to in the Doors' song Peace Frog, "Indians scattered on dawn's highway bleeding."
         Breitenbach later turned an idea from Morrison's poem The Lords into an illustrated fantasy novel, Grumparar's the New Creatures: An Adventure and Field Guide.

Tue. Dec. 8: Jim's 27th Birthday

Fri. Dec. 11: State Fair Music Hall - Dallas, TX

Mid December: The Doors Break From Touring
After New Orleans The Doors decide to take a break from playing live and focus on their remaining studio fulfillments with Elektra records.