Global InformationThe Doors information
The Doors | |
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 The Doors in 1966: Jim Morrison (left), John Densmore (center), Robby Krieger (right) and Ray Manzarek (seated) | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California |
| Genres |
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| Discography | The Doors discography |
| Years active |
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| Labels |
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| Spinoffs |
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| Spinoff of | Rick & the Ravens |
| Past members |
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| Website | thedoors |
The Doors were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore. They were among the most influential and controversial rock acts of the 1960s, primarily due to Morrison's lyrics and voice, along with his erratic stage persona and legal issues. The group is widely regarded as an important figure of the era's counterculture.[4]
The band took its name from the title of English writer Aldous Huxley's book The Doors of Perception, itself a reference to a quote by English poet William Blake. After signing with Elektra Records in 1966, the Doors with Morrison recorded and released six studio albums in five years, some of which are generally considered among the greatest of all time,[5][6] including their debut The Doors (1967), Strange Days (1967), and L.A. Woman (1971). Dubbed the "Kings of Acid Rock",[7] they were one of the most successful bands of their time and by 1972, the Doors had sold over 4 million albums domestically and nearly 8 million singles.[8]
Morrison died in uncertain circumstances in 1971. The band continued as a trio, releasing three more albums in the 1970s, one of which featured earlier recordings by Morrison, until disbanding in 1973.[9][10] They reunited briefly in 1993 when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and for several one-off projects in the 21st century. In 2002, Manzarek, Krieger, and Ian Astbury of the Cult on vocals started performing as "The Doors of the 21st Century". Densmore and the Morrison estate successfully sued them over the use of the band's name. After a short time as Riders on the Storm, they settled on the name Manzarek–Krieger and toured until Manzarek's death in 2013.
The Doors were the first American band to accumulate eight consecutive Gold LPs.[nb 1] According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), they have sold 34 million albums in the United States[12] and over 100 million records worldwide,[13] making them one of the best-selling bands of all time.[14] The Doors have been listed as one of the greatest artists of all time by magazines including Rolling Stone, which ranked them 41st on its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".[15] In 1993, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- ^ Debolt & Baugess 2011, pp. 544–.
- ^ Wallace 2010, pp. 68–.
- ^ Einarson 2001, p. 8.
- ^ Weil, Martin (May 20, 2013). "Ray Manzarek, Keyboardist and Founding Member of the Doors, Dies at 74". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 16, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
- ^ "500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. May 31, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
- ^ "NME Writers All Time 100 Albums - 1974". Rocklistmusic.com. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
- ^ Cosgrove, Ben. "With the 'Lizard King': Jim Morrison and the Doors, 1968". Life. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
- ^ "'Doors Sold 4,190,457 Albums': Court Report". Billboard. December 18, 1971. p. 7.
- ^ Ruhlmann, William; Unterberger, Richie. "The Doors – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
- ^ Futterman, Erica (March 16, 2012). "The Doors Biography". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 11, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
- ^ Dance on Fire. Event occurs at 49:46. Retrieved February 20, 2019 – via OK.ru.
- ^ "Top Selling Artists". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
- ^ Kelsey, Eric (May 20, 2013). "Keyboardist Ray Manzarek of The Doors dies at age 74". Reuters. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
- ^ Quan, Denise (June 25, 2013). "The Doors plan tribute concert for Ray Manzarek". CNN. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
- ^ Manson, Marilyn (April 15, 2004). "The Immortals – The Greatest Artists of All Time: No. 41 The Doors". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 21, 2006.
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