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Love Her Madly: Jim Morrison, Mary, and Me
A riveting memoir that works its magic like a slow-acting drug, revealing the story of Jim Morrison’s first love, a long-lost friendship, and the man who existed before the Doors.
In the spring of 1965, Bill Cosgrave was smuggled across the border into the United States after receiving an irresistible invitation from his captivating friend Mary Werbelow. When he made it to her apartment in Los Angeles, Mary introduced Bill to her boyfriend, Jim Morrison. The two young men quickly bonded.
When Jim and Mary’s relationship faltered, Jim headed for Venice beach with his notebook. Bill and Jim spent endless days together, enjoying the aimlessness of their youth and the freedom of the times, fuelled by Jim's unlimited supply of dope.
Jim’s writing would morph into iconic hit songs, rocketing him to international fame as the hypnotic lead singer of the Doors. Beautiful Mary would set off on her own journey. After years of futile searching, Bill finally tracks down the woman he had secretly loved. He’s dying to know where her life has taken her and stunned by what he discovers.
In the spring of 1965, Bill Cosgrave was smuggled across the border into the United States after receiving an irresistible invitation from his captivating friend Mary Werbelow. When he made it to her apartment in Los Angeles, Mary introduced Bill to her boyfriend, Jim Morrison. The two young men quickly bonded.
When Jim and Mary’s relationship faltered, Jim headed for Venice beach with his notebook. Bill and Jim spent endless days together, enjoying the aimlessness of their youth and the freedom of the times, fuelled by Jim's unlimited supply of dope.
Jim’s writing would morph into iconic hit songs, rocketing him to international fame as the hypnotic lead singer of the Doors. Beautiful Mary would set off on her own journey. After years of futile searching, Bill finally tracks down the woman he had secretly loved. He’s dying to know where her life has taken her and stunned by what he discovers.
224 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2020
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November 10, 2020
3.5 rounded up to 4 Stars
I am a big fan of rock biographies, a child of the sixties, and my big brother's band used to rock out to several of The Doors hits back in the late seventies. I never bought a single Doors record, but this twist on Jim Morrison's story prompted me to read this.
Billy Cosgrove was a teenager with a huge and enduring crush on Mary Frances Werbelow, an older girl in high school. Billy was Canadian, but he finagled his way into his parents allowing him to finish up high school in Florida. Mary noticed Billy and they became good friends. One day Mary told Billy she was dating a nice guy named Jim who was planning to transfer to UCLA to study film. She was going to follow Jim to LA, where they hoped to eventually marry. Billy briefly returned to Canada after Mary left, but ultimately decided to take Mary up on the offer to visit. Billy was a hitchhiker and at the point of crossing the US border was questioned and not allowed to enter. However, another sympathetic trucker hid Billy in his cargo and he successfully made it into California.
Mary had her own apartment and allowed Billy to camp out on her sofa whenever he wanted. One day he met Mary's boyfriend Jim, and they too became fast friends. He was nothing like the famous version people think of when they remember The Doors. Jim was a very kind, gentle, soft-spoken and extremely intelligent young man. His passion was writing poetry. His favorite thing to do was to go to Venice beach and sit under the Santa Monica pier, watching the waves and the passerby, getting inspiration to write in his trusty notebook. On many occasions Billy would join him, and they would even sleep under the pier when the financial situation dictated such natural lodgings.
Billy was one of those personalities who would be able to befriend people in high places. He could talk his way into letting a doorman allow him into the back of a theatre to watch celebrities rehearse shows. On a bet, he even crashed The Academy Awards for awhile before getting thrown out. It was obvious that Mary and Jim were made for each other, so Billy was shocked one day when he found out that Mary kicked Jim out, saying that he needed to get serious with his life before perhaps one day they would get back together. They never stopped loving each other. Everyone (including myself) only seemed to know about the red-headed girlfriend Pam who Jim was with when he died. But he never stopped loving Mary or keeping in touch with her. Billy never stopped loving her from afar either. In the last days that Billy shared with Jim as carefree vagabonds living on the beach, Billy saw Jim hook up with a friend named Ray who had also graduated from UCLA. Ray was living with his wife (who was supporting him financially) while he concentrated on getting a band together. Jim never had any intention of his poetic writings lending themselves to be transformed into famous songs, and certainly had no inclination towards singing, but there you have it- he and Ray Manzarek formed the core of what would become The Doors.
At this point Billy felt like he had to get some serious direction in his life, and decided to go back to Canada. He tearfully and lovingly said goodbye to his best friends Jim and Mary, who saw Billy off. Just a couple of years later Billy was thriving in Canada in a new job involving the travel industry, with a great apartment and serious girlfriend. Imagine his utter shock when one day he saw his friend Jim Morrison's face on the cover of a rock magazine!
Billy would ultimately get in touch with both Jim, and much later Mary, whom Jim had lost track of. Of course we know that Jim died at the age of 27 from a heart attack in a Paris hotel bathroom, but what happened to Mary? I found this story intriguing because I never knew Jim Morrison pre-fame, nor about his first serious girlfriend Mary Werbelow who stayed under the radar all these years. This was definitely a slice of history that Billy shared, of idyllic days in beautiful, sunny California with a future rock icon. A very interesting, touching and nostalgic read.
Thank you to Dundurn Press who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
I am a big fan of rock biographies, a child of the sixties, and my big brother's band used to rock out to several of The Doors hits back in the late seventies. I never bought a single Doors record, but this twist on Jim Morrison's story prompted me to read this.
Billy Cosgrove was a teenager with a huge and enduring crush on Mary Frances Werbelow, an older girl in high school. Billy was Canadian, but he finagled his way into his parents allowing him to finish up high school in Florida. Mary noticed Billy and they became good friends. One day Mary told Billy she was dating a nice guy named Jim who was planning to transfer to UCLA to study film. She was going to follow Jim to LA, where they hoped to eventually marry. Billy briefly returned to Canada after Mary left, but ultimately decided to take Mary up on the offer to visit. Billy was a hitchhiker and at the point of crossing the US border was questioned and not allowed to enter. However, another sympathetic trucker hid Billy in his cargo and he successfully made it into California.
Mary had her own apartment and allowed Billy to camp out on her sofa whenever he wanted. One day he met Mary's boyfriend Jim, and they too became fast friends. He was nothing like the famous version people think of when they remember The Doors. Jim was a very kind, gentle, soft-spoken and extremely intelligent young man. His passion was writing poetry. His favorite thing to do was to go to Venice beach and sit under the Santa Monica pier, watching the waves and the passerby, getting inspiration to write in his trusty notebook. On many occasions Billy would join him, and they would even sleep under the pier when the financial situation dictated such natural lodgings.
Billy was one of those personalities who would be able to befriend people in high places. He could talk his way into letting a doorman allow him into the back of a theatre to watch celebrities rehearse shows. On a bet, he even crashed The Academy Awards for awhile before getting thrown out. It was obvious that Mary and Jim were made for each other, so Billy was shocked one day when he found out that Mary kicked Jim out, saying that he needed to get serious with his life before perhaps one day they would get back together. They never stopped loving each other. Everyone (including myself) only seemed to know about the red-headed girlfriend Pam who Jim was with when he died. But he never stopped loving Mary or keeping in touch with her. Billy never stopped loving her from afar either. In the last days that Billy shared with Jim as carefree vagabonds living on the beach, Billy saw Jim hook up with a friend named Ray who had also graduated from UCLA. Ray was living with his wife (who was supporting him financially) while he concentrated on getting a band together. Jim never had any intention of his poetic writings lending themselves to be transformed into famous songs, and certainly had no inclination towards singing, but there you have it- he and Ray Manzarek formed the core of what would become The Doors.
At this point Billy felt like he had to get some serious direction in his life, and decided to go back to Canada. He tearfully and lovingly said goodbye to his best friends Jim and Mary, who saw Billy off. Just a couple of years later Billy was thriving in Canada in a new job involving the travel industry, with a great apartment and serious girlfriend. Imagine his utter shock when one day he saw his friend Jim Morrison's face on the cover of a rock magazine!
Billy would ultimately get in touch with both Jim, and much later Mary, whom Jim had lost track of. Of course we know that Jim died at the age of 27 from a heart attack in a Paris hotel bathroom, but what happened to Mary? I found this story intriguing because I never knew Jim Morrison pre-fame, nor about his first serious girlfriend Mary Werbelow who stayed under the radar all these years. This was definitely a slice of history that Billy shared, of idyllic days in beautiful, sunny California with a future rock icon. A very interesting, touching and nostalgic read.
Thank you to Dundurn Press who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
November 3, 2020
A big thanks to NetGalley and Dundurn Press for an advanced digital copy of this book. This is a vivid, nostalgic portrait of the 1960s, and an affectionate memoir of the author's friendship with the young Jim Morrison before his fame as the lead singer of the Doors.
There is a much-quoted saying to the effect that if one remembers the 60s they never truly experienced them. Bill Cosgrave definitely lived that experience and gives the reader the feeling of what those mad hippy days of drugs, free love, dropping out, never trusting anyone over 30, flower power, Viet Nam protests, race riots and rock and roll were really like.
I admit that I am old enough to have experienced the Doors' hit albums from their beginning and loved pictures of their young, rebellious, beautiful lead singer, Jim Morrison. Living too far away to be part of or entrenched in the 60s counter-culture, I was absorbed in it through TV and its music
Books on Morrison usually centre on his life and career with the Doors after drugs, alcohol and erratic behaviours were ravaging his gorgeous appearance and his life on and off stage. I liked how this book focused on Bill Cosgrove's friendship with Jim Morrison. The author presents him as a shy, gentle, well-read, highly intelligent, quiet young man who was always writing poetry, discussing philosophy, books, avant-garde cinema.
Cosgrove, a Canadian, attended High School in Florida, where he met the beautiful, entrancing older Mary and they became friends. He secretly loved her. He dropped out of University in Montreal. It was 1965 and he was delighted to accept an invitation from Mary to come to LA and stay at her apartment.
After a series of bus rides, but mostly by hitchhiking, he was refused entry into the USA. He was finally smuggled across the border in a truck hidden in the back under loads of hay. After a long trip by thumbing his way to California, at last, he arrived at Mary's apartment. He met her fiance, Jim Morrison, and the three of them formed a tight bond of friendship. Mary eventually broke off her engagement with Jim, concerned that he was too idle and insisted he get a real job and make something of himself.
Bill Cosgrave spent many pleasant days hanging out on the beach with Jim. The shy, quiet young man wrote poetry on the beach by day and slept on the beach or on rooftops at night. Cosgrave was couch-surfing at the time. Bill seemed more adventurous and brazen than his friend. He describes his experiences sneaking into the Oscar ceremony, the Palace Theatre to experience rehearsals and finally a Sinatra concert, and he attended a Kennedy rally a short time before he was assassinated. One of his most interesting experiences was being stranded in Watts during the riots, and being the only white man at a wild celebratory party hosted by looters. Bill and Jim were still in contact with the beautiful, radiant Mary who had now dropped-out and was performing as a dancer in a Night Club.
In time, Cosgrave decided it was time for him to return to Canada, get a job, and lead a more traditional lifestyle as part of adult society. Mary and Jim gave him a tearful send-off and the three promised to keep in touch. Bill Cosgrave founded a travel company in BC, Fun Seekers (remember travel?)
Two years back in Canada he was astonished and dumbfounded to see his old friend's photo on the cover of a magazine. He was surprised that Jim had founded the Doors with Ray Manzarek, a man he had met on the beach, and they were now a highly successful group selling millions in records and in-demand to perform everywhere. Neither Mary nor Bill had never heard Jim sing a note, but now some of his poems were the basis for his popular songs. Bill called Jim and although Jim seemed happy to hear from him he seemed addled on alcohol and could barely communicate Later he invited Bill to join the band as his road manager. Bill was tempted by the offer but refused as he was now running a successful business and leading a normal lifestyle. Jim mentioned he thought Mary had gone on a spiritual retreat in India. Four years later Jim Morrison was dead at age 27.
Bill tried for years to find Mary. It wasn't until 2008, that he found her when in LA to attend his daughter's engagement party. What he learned when he finally connected with Mary was heartbreaking. This was a well-written trip back to the 1960s, and a beautiful memoir about friendship and of being young at the time and its dangers.
There is a much-quoted saying to the effect that if one remembers the 60s they never truly experienced them. Bill Cosgrave definitely lived that experience and gives the reader the feeling of what those mad hippy days of drugs, free love, dropping out, never trusting anyone over 30, flower power, Viet Nam protests, race riots and rock and roll were really like.
I admit that I am old enough to have experienced the Doors' hit albums from their beginning and loved pictures of their young, rebellious, beautiful lead singer, Jim Morrison. Living too far away to be part of or entrenched in the 60s counter-culture, I was absorbed in it through TV and its music
Books on Morrison usually centre on his life and career with the Doors after drugs, alcohol and erratic behaviours were ravaging his gorgeous appearance and his life on and off stage. I liked how this book focused on Bill Cosgrove's friendship with Jim Morrison. The author presents him as a shy, gentle, well-read, highly intelligent, quiet young man who was always writing poetry, discussing philosophy, books, avant-garde cinema.
Cosgrove, a Canadian, attended High School in Florida, where he met the beautiful, entrancing older Mary and they became friends. He secretly loved her. He dropped out of University in Montreal. It was 1965 and he was delighted to accept an invitation from Mary to come to LA and stay at her apartment.
After a series of bus rides, but mostly by hitchhiking, he was refused entry into the USA. He was finally smuggled across the border in a truck hidden in the back under loads of hay. After a long trip by thumbing his way to California, at last, he arrived at Mary's apartment. He met her fiance, Jim Morrison, and the three of them formed a tight bond of friendship. Mary eventually broke off her engagement with Jim, concerned that he was too idle and insisted he get a real job and make something of himself.
Bill Cosgrave spent many pleasant days hanging out on the beach with Jim. The shy, quiet young man wrote poetry on the beach by day and slept on the beach or on rooftops at night. Cosgrave was couch-surfing at the time. Bill seemed more adventurous and brazen than his friend. He describes his experiences sneaking into the Oscar ceremony, the Palace Theatre to experience rehearsals and finally a Sinatra concert, and he attended a Kennedy rally a short time before he was assassinated. One of his most interesting experiences was being stranded in Watts during the riots, and being the only white man at a wild celebratory party hosted by looters. Bill and Jim were still in contact with the beautiful, radiant Mary who had now dropped-out and was performing as a dancer in a Night Club.
In time, Cosgrave decided it was time for him to return to Canada, get a job, and lead a more traditional lifestyle as part of adult society. Mary and Jim gave him a tearful send-off and the three promised to keep in touch. Bill Cosgrave founded a travel company in BC, Fun Seekers (remember travel?)
Two years back in Canada he was astonished and dumbfounded to see his old friend's photo on the cover of a magazine. He was surprised that Jim had founded the Doors with Ray Manzarek, a man he had met on the beach, and they were now a highly successful group selling millions in records and in-demand to perform everywhere. Neither Mary nor Bill had never heard Jim sing a note, but now some of his poems were the basis for his popular songs. Bill called Jim and although Jim seemed happy to hear from him he seemed addled on alcohol and could barely communicate Later he invited Bill to join the band as his road manager. Bill was tempted by the offer but refused as he was now running a successful business and leading a normal lifestyle. Jim mentioned he thought Mary had gone on a spiritual retreat in India. Four years later Jim Morrison was dead at age 27.
Bill tried for years to find Mary. It wasn't until 2008, that he found her when in LA to attend his daughter's engagement party. What he learned when he finally connected with Mary was heartbreaking. This was a well-written trip back to the 1960s, and a beautiful memoir about friendship and of being young at the time and its dangers.
November 4, 2020
In the early 1960’s, Bill Cosgrove was a high school student, and although he was Canadian, the school he was attending was in Florida, which is where he meets Mary Werbelow. Instantly smitten, he doesn’t act on it, but a friendship forms, and she will remain in his thoughts for years to come.
After returning to Toronto for the summer and then back in Florida, he learns about her new boyfriend, a guy named Jim. Morrison. And then she decides to leave and move across the state to where Jim lives. And then later on, she tells him that she is in love with Jim, they have plans to marry, and Jim’s plans also include a transfer to UCLA film school. Unsurprisingly, once there, Mary invites Bill, Billy, to join them. By this time, he’s back in Canada, and once more decides to return to the US, this time to the Los Angeles area. Only this time it isn’t quite as easy, as he is stopped at the border, and refused entry. He finally manages to cross when a friendly trucker hides him under loads of hay bales in the back of the truck. Ah, the things we do for love.
Through Bill Cosgrave’s eyes, his memories we get to know the Jim Morrison as he was before The Doors. His softer, poetic side, a man who ’wrote about everything he felt and observed. Constantly taking notes on the world. His ever-present notepad for his thoughts/ poems…a stunning girl on the beach to musing about the universe; bringing up philosopher’s names like Nietzsche…Jim had read all his books…I had no idea that those poems would become world-famous hits. All that time spent together, I never heard him hum a single note.’
He has his own adventures, as well, some of which are extremely interesting, amusing, and audacious.
He never forgets about Mary, or Jim, although he does return to Canada when things seem to become a little wilder than he feels comfortable with. He leaves the partying lifestyle behind, and focuses on living a more respectable life, perhaps. But the memories never leave him, and speaks to Jim once after he sees his photo on a magazine cover, goes to see him in concert when The Doors come to a semi-local venue - closer than California. It is a distressing forewarning of the direction Morrison is heading in, although we already know how it ends.
Even then, his search for Mary continues, periodically, and although he is happily married, and not even contemplating changing that, I suppose it’s true what they say about there being a special place in your heart for your first love. When he finally does think he’s found her, it’s heartbreaking and heartwarming and confusing for him, but after reading this, I doubt there are many regrets.
Published: 03 Nov 2020
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Dundurn Press #LoveHerMadly #NetGalley
November 5, 2020
A look at Jim Morrison's life before he became famous, the real Jim. A nonfiction look at his personality and the close friendship of Bill with Jim and Mary. Short fast read
January 1, 2021
It was the mid 1960's when Billy Cosgrave made his way from Toronto Canada to California after his friend Mary invited him to visit her. Billy had met Mary while he was attending a high school in Florida. Mary was a beautiful young "dream girl" with aspirations of being a dancer. She was living in L.A. with her boyfriend Jim Morrison. Billy made his way to California by hitchhiking and took up a free living lifestyle. He clicked with young, shy Jim who spent a lot of time scribbling poetry in his notebook. There are tales of alcohol, drugs, love, and friendship.
This is a look behind the scenes of the life of The Door's Jim Morrison just a couple of years before he became famous. Cosgrave paints a picture of a young Morrison who was smart, quiet, and deep. The book is full of crazy escapades and gives a fair share of attention to each of Mary, Billy and Jim. Cosgrove is clearly fond of his time spent with Mary and Jim hanging out on the beaches and under the pier. Some of the stories are wild and Cosgrave was clearly a bold young man who did things like sneak into the Academy Awards or smooth talk his way onto TV sets. By contrast Mary and Jim are painted as much more pensive people. It is sad to know how Morrison's life ends just a few short years after his time with Mary and Billy.
I recommend this for anyone who is a fan of rock or is curious about Jim Morrison.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
This is a look behind the scenes of the life of The Door's Jim Morrison just a couple of years before he became famous. Cosgrave paints a picture of a young Morrison who was smart, quiet, and deep. The book is full of crazy escapades and gives a fair share of attention to each of Mary, Billy and Jim. Cosgrove is clearly fond of his time spent with Mary and Jim hanging out on the beaches and under the pier. Some of the stories are wild and Cosgrave was clearly a bold young man who did things like sneak into the Academy Awards or smooth talk his way onto TV sets. By contrast Mary and Jim are painted as much more pensive people. It is sad to know how Morrison's life ends just a few short years after his time with Mary and Billy.
I recommend this for anyone who is a fan of rock or is curious about Jim Morrison.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
June 26, 2020
When Canadian Bill Cosgrave was a teenager, he went to Florida to visit some family friends. After deciding he wanted to finish high school there, he met a senior named Mary Werbelow his first year. While he had a crush on her, they became like brother and sister, and Mary introduced Bill to her boyfriend Jim Morrison. After Mary and Jim move to California, where Jim was studying filmmaking at UCLA, Mary writes Bill and tells him to come on out there, assuring him he'd have a blast. He does and did, and that is how he knew so much about Jim Morrison before he became famous.
He was a mild-mannered, sweet, shy poet at the time, according to Mr. Cosgrave. He never even hummed a tune, much less ever sang a song, when he knew him. Jim and Mary would eventually split up because Mary thought it was time he got a job. Jim instead liked to spend his time at the beach, hanging out, drinking, smoking pot, and continuously writing. The only time Bill ever saw Jim go crazy was when the police were harassing the two of them one night, calling them names and falsely accusing them of a crime. Jim Morrison, an admiral's son, did not like authority figures.
One day Jim met up with an old UCLA friend named Ray Manzarek. The rest is history that most know about Jim Morrison This memoir is history that many do not know about him. It's also a nostalgic look at life at Venice Beach in the 1960s by a young Canadian who would eventually return to Canada to live a "normal" adult life, never forgetting his two good friends. Four years after he left, Jim was dead. Years after that, Bill Cosgrave would go search for Mary. He said it was like she dropped off the face of the earth.
This book reads like he was the only one who ever found her, too; yet there is an online 2005 Tampa Bay Times article on her, describing where she lived and what her current life was like; only the newspaper article had far more details about her past with Jim Morrison. Plus, there are many more online articles about their relationship. At the end of this memoir, Mr. Cosgrave couldn't help but imagine how things might have turned out differently for Jim and Mary if they had only stayed together.
(Note: I received a free e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and the author or publisher.)
He was a mild-mannered, sweet, shy poet at the time, according to Mr. Cosgrave. He never even hummed a tune, much less ever sang a song, when he knew him. Jim and Mary would eventually split up because Mary thought it was time he got a job. Jim instead liked to spend his time at the beach, hanging out, drinking, smoking pot, and continuously writing. The only time Bill ever saw Jim go crazy was when the police were harassing the two of them one night, calling them names and falsely accusing them of a crime. Jim Morrison, an admiral's son, did not like authority figures.
One day Jim met up with an old UCLA friend named Ray Manzarek. The rest is history that most know about Jim Morrison This memoir is history that many do not know about him. It's also a nostalgic look at life at Venice Beach in the 1960s by a young Canadian who would eventually return to Canada to live a "normal" adult life, never forgetting his two good friends. Four years after he left, Jim was dead. Years after that, Bill Cosgrave would go search for Mary. He said it was like she dropped off the face of the earth.
This book reads like he was the only one who ever found her, too; yet there is an online 2005 Tampa Bay Times article on her, describing where she lived and what her current life was like; only the newspaper article had far more details about her past with Jim Morrison. Plus, there are many more online articles about their relationship. At the end of this memoir, Mr. Cosgrave couldn't help but imagine how things might have turned out differently for Jim and Mary if they had only stayed together.
(Note: I received a free e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and the author or publisher.)
April 17, 2020
Read pre-pub version and it is fantastically entertaining, informative and a just plain great read! And not just since Bill is my brother.
July 12, 2020
I have mixed feelings about this book. First, it is entertaining to read stories of a pre-Doors Jim Morrison. On the other hand, the author doesn’t give any particular insight into the minds of either Jim or Mary and I’m not sure that anyone other than a fan of Jim and The Doors would find the book compelling. I was also bothered that the author wrote about Mary knowing how much she values her privacy. He writes that she refused opportunities to profit from her relationship with Jim even though she was desperately poor, yet here he is, a successful man by his own account, offering up her life with Jim to the general public.
As the book unfolded, I began to wonder how much, if any, of the author’s story is true. There are remarkably few verifiable accounts in the book and parts of it are preposterous. The author claims not only a close friendship with Mary and then Jim, but also that he talked a Secret Service agent into giving him close proximity to JFK at a rally, was smuggled across the Canadian border by a friendly driver, snuck into the Academy Awards, was in Watts during the riots, and had experiences with several celebrities. While it isn’t impossible that these things all happened, the anecdotes in the book have the feel of tall tales told late at night at the bar. His description of the Mary he found in her later years almost convinced me that his story was legit - until I found a 2005 Tampa Bay Times article that contains those same details about her. I hope I’m wrong and that the book was thoroughly fact checked. In the end, the mediocre writing and the book’s overall lack of substance don’t make up for the mild entertainment it provides.
As the book unfolded, I began to wonder how much, if any, of the author’s story is true. There are remarkably few verifiable accounts in the book and parts of it are preposterous. The author claims not only a close friendship with Mary and then Jim, but also that he talked a Secret Service agent into giving him close proximity to JFK at a rally, was smuggled across the Canadian border by a friendly driver, snuck into the Academy Awards, was in Watts during the riots, and had experiences with several celebrities. While it isn’t impossible that these things all happened, the anecdotes in the book have the feel of tall tales told late at night at the bar. His description of the Mary he found in her later years almost convinced me that his story was legit - until I found a 2005 Tampa Bay Times article that contains those same details about her. I hope I’m wrong and that the book was thoroughly fact checked. In the end, the mediocre writing and the book’s overall lack of substance don’t make up for the mild entertainment it provides.
October 31, 2020
This is a short and fun little accounting of a friend of Jim Morrison. It’s a quick read and has nice flow. It just also feels painted with rose-coloured glasses that makes it feel a bit askew and either filled with vague details and is sometimes interesting, sometimes boring. This reads like all the details you’d put down if you wanted a sanitized version of people to wax nostalgia with friends, which led to no emotional connection and punch, for me.
March 12, 2021
Bill Cosgrave tells of his adventures travelling as a young man from Canada to LA in the early 1960's to meet up with his friend Mary, girlfriend at the time to Jim Morrison.
Pre-The Doors, Jim and Mary are portrayed as soulmates, both highly intellectual and basically nice people. Having been a fan of The Doors since I was a teen, I really enjoyed this insightful and very interesting look at Jim Morrison's early life from someone who was there.
Pre-The Doors, Jim and Mary are portrayed as soulmates, both highly intellectual and basically nice people. Having been a fan of The Doors since I was a teen, I really enjoyed this insightful and very interesting look at Jim Morrison's early life from someone who was there.
June 29, 2020
This was a great biography about Jim Morrison before the band The Doors was formed. A family friend named Mary who introduced him to her shy boyfriend, Jim Morrison. The trio would party and Jim would write poetry but no sing and then him and Mary split. Fast forward when he is at UCLA and meets Ray Manzarek and the Doors is formed. Bill cant seem to forget his friend and goes back to find Mary only to find that Jim had died. Bill had been shuffling between Canada and the U.S most of his life.
This is a must read for any fan of the Doors, Jim Morrison and anyone who likes a good biography from someone who had a first hand account. One of the better biographies I have read not written by the actual subject because he was part of it. I loved learning about Jim Morrison's before the Doors. I have always been a fan, so when I saw this, I had to read it.
Thanks to Netgalley, Bill Cosgrave and Dundum Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Available: 11/3/20
This is a must read for any fan of the Doors, Jim Morrison and anyone who likes a good biography from someone who had a first hand account. One of the better biographies I have read not written by the actual subject because he was part of it. I loved learning about Jim Morrison's before the Doors. I have always been a fan, so when I saw this, I had to read it.
Thanks to Netgalley, Bill Cosgrave and Dundum Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Available: 11/3/20
August 23, 2020
I really enjoyed this memoir and read it in one sitting. It’s like a hidden portal back to that time of youth again, with a pre-celebrity tossed in for good measure. What could be better than that, unless we were in it too? (Yeah, we wish!) This awesome book was just waiting to be written. What a great life Billy made for himself with his sense of adventure. We’ve all had a few crazy moments in our lives, but this reads like a movie script. Ok, so who should play Morrison? Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author Bill Cosgrave, and publisher Dundurn Press.
August 28, 2022
This was a very interesting read! I’ve been a fan of The Doors since I was little but never knew much about Jim Morrison aside from his death. It was fun reading about the author’s friendship with him and their adventures in 1960s Venice Beach. Overall the book felt like sitting down with someone and hearing their wild stories! It was concise, but we’ll written and evocative.
My one complaint is that I feel like I never fully got to know Mary, the woman Cosgrave and Morrison both loved. She was written vaguely as a “dream girl” in a way that made me uncomfortable considering she was one of the author’s closest friends. I wish the book had spent a bit more time with her during their friendship so I could grasp how much she meant to the author besides being his enigmatic crush.
Regardless, I would recommend this to any Doors or classic rock fan! It’s a great tribute to Jim.
My one complaint is that I feel like I never fully got to know Mary, the woman Cosgrave and Morrison both loved. She was written vaguely as a “dream girl” in a way that made me uncomfortable considering she was one of the author’s closest friends. I wish the book had spent a bit more time with her during their friendship so I could grasp how much she meant to the author besides being his enigmatic crush.
Regardless, I would recommend this to any Doors or classic rock fan! It’s a great tribute to Jim.
November 4, 2021
Billy remembers the summer that he spent with Jim Morrison before The Doors were formed and reflects on what happened next. This is a small book with little amusing stories.
July 16, 2021
A refreshing and slightly heartbreaking look at a young, wandering, homeless poet in Venice Beach named Jim, who suddenly became an international rock star and died a few years later at the peak of his fame.
By some freak chance of divine intervention, the author’s friend Jim – on a consistent diet of LSD and marijuana – went from sleeping under the Santa Monica Pier to becoming the “Lizard King” of rock and roll, gracing the cover of Rolling Stone magazine nine times in a matter of two years. A rise to fame that is meteoric if not mythical.
The book captures Jim Morrison before the “Lizard King”, before “Jimbo”, before The Doors. Jim, fresh out of UCLA, aspiring Beatnick poet, living with and hoping to marry his girlfriend, with ambitions to become a professional writer and filmmaker. Have a life. A long one. Start a family. That’s the Jim the author knew.
But then Mary gave Jim the boot because of his aimlessness. It rendered him homeless. He started living on a friend’s rooftop. Things got darker. Mary became a go-go dancer, which for Jim only added insult to injury. He wrote “The End” symbolizing the finality of their relationship. Many of the songs on The Doors debut album were written about her. Jim continued to pursue the darkness as his drinking increased, becoming a self-destructive version of himself the author didn’t know.
Everyone knows the rock star Jim Morrison, or they think they know. Bill Cosgrave knew the man. The young man. The young college graduate who read and thought deeply, who was kind, didn’t drink too much, wasn’t violent, but polite, caring, and intuitive. They were close friends.
Bill and Jim would stay connected throughout The Door’s short career, as friends do. They would see each other from time to time. Next thing you know, Jim’s in Paris, Mary’s in India, and Bill is in Canada.
The story ends on a bit of a sad note. Bill laments the loss of his old friend Jim and the life he could have had, as well as the mysterious disappearance of Mary. As Bill reminisces, while his granddaughters are flittering around Venice Beach, he imagines how Jim would have enjoyed the same simple pleasures in his old age. Of sunshine, of ocean waves, of children’s laughter, of long-lasting friendship. Those were the things that fascinated them in the early 60s when they were friends, living in the moment, in existential reverie, and “The End” was nowhere near.
By some freak chance of divine intervention, the author’s friend Jim – on a consistent diet of LSD and marijuana – went from sleeping under the Santa Monica Pier to becoming the “Lizard King” of rock and roll, gracing the cover of Rolling Stone magazine nine times in a matter of two years. A rise to fame that is meteoric if not mythical.
The book captures Jim Morrison before the “Lizard King”, before “Jimbo”, before The Doors. Jim, fresh out of UCLA, aspiring Beatnick poet, living with and hoping to marry his girlfriend, with ambitions to become a professional writer and filmmaker. Have a life. A long one. Start a family. That’s the Jim the author knew.
But then Mary gave Jim the boot because of his aimlessness. It rendered him homeless. He started living on a friend’s rooftop. Things got darker. Mary became a go-go dancer, which for Jim only added insult to injury. He wrote “The End” symbolizing the finality of their relationship. Many of the songs on The Doors debut album were written about her. Jim continued to pursue the darkness as his drinking increased, becoming a self-destructive version of himself the author didn’t know.
Everyone knows the rock star Jim Morrison, or they think they know. Bill Cosgrave knew the man. The young man. The young college graduate who read and thought deeply, who was kind, didn’t drink too much, wasn’t violent, but polite, caring, and intuitive. They were close friends.
Bill and Jim would stay connected throughout The Door’s short career, as friends do. They would see each other from time to time. Next thing you know, Jim’s in Paris, Mary’s in India, and Bill is in Canada.
The story ends on a bit of a sad note. Bill laments the loss of his old friend Jim and the life he could have had, as well as the mysterious disappearance of Mary. As Bill reminisces, while his granddaughters are flittering around Venice Beach, he imagines how Jim would have enjoyed the same simple pleasures in his old age. Of sunshine, of ocean waves, of children’s laughter, of long-lasting friendship. Those were the things that fascinated them in the early 60s when they were friends, living in the moment, in existential reverie, and “The End” was nowhere near.
September 8, 2020
This book has not been released yet as far as I know, but I got it from a special library I know who knows that I am a major Doors fan. But this book really isn't about the Doors. It tells more about the relationship between a woman named Mary and the 2 main men in her life during the mid 1960's in Southern California. One is the author of this book, Bill Cosgrave, and the other is her boyfriend, Jim Morrison. At that time, Morrison was just a student at UCLA who sometimes went to class and sometimes just hung out at the beach writing in a notebook. Writing about life, things he saw, some poems, whatever he was thinking about-nothing special. And he got high a lot. He wasn't a singer at all at that time, didn't know anything about music. He just lived in the moment with his friends and his girlfriend. Then one day he met a guy on the beach who liked his writings and knew how to play the keyboards. His name was Ray and they became friends. The story of the Doors goes on from there, but it really is a sad story. Was Jim ready for all that fame? Did he want it? What happens to your friendship when one of you is the biggest rock star in the world?
October 20, 2020
Absolutely amazing! The authors story has a small similar-ish feeling to the movie Almost Famous. A young 16 year old kid sets out on his own, secretly in love with a woman a few years his senior, whom he follows into and across the USA to find her, then forming a bond with her boyfriend Jim. The story is also very different from that, being that Bill was not a shy kid and the story is about his own hilarious, fun, and crazy experiences during the mid to late 1960’s, separate from Mary and Jim (yet very much intertwined). This is a true story with so much humor you will laugh out loud, with unprecedented kindness shown by complete strangers, and with a unique loyalty of friendships during those uneasy times. A must read!!
November 5, 2020
Love Her Madly is (a) a famous Doors’ song, (b) the title of a new book about The Doors’ front man Jim Morrison, (c) the feeling of the book’s author towards Jim’s girlfriend Mary, or (d) all of the above. The answer is, of course, d.
While Wikipedia may not quite agree with the author’s reminiscences, it is a fun look back into 1960s Los Angeles’ music and hippie culture. It also shows the underlying nice and intelligent Jim before drugs and alcohol changed him for the worse. Fans of The Doors are sure to enjoy Love Her Madly. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars!
Thanks to Dundurn Press and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
While Wikipedia may not quite agree with the author’s reminiscences, it is a fun look back into 1960s Los Angeles’ music and hippie culture. It also shows the underlying nice and intelligent Jim before drugs and alcohol changed him for the worse. Fans of The Doors are sure to enjoy Love Her Madly. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars!
Thanks to Dundurn Press and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
November 26, 2020
It is such a pleasure to recommend this book written by my dear friend Bill. What a fun and interesting read! This story perfectly captures a specific -party fuelled, thought provoking, romantic - time in California and I honestly feel like only someone with Bill's genuine kindness, Steve-Martin esque sense of humor and sincere interest in people could possibly have lived this.
At points I was truly laughing out loud because of how easily I could picture Bill in these situations.
If you are looking to take a break from 2020 - this is a great place to start!
Congratulations again Bill - you should be really proud.
Katie
xx
At points I was truly laughing out loud because of how easily I could picture Bill in these situations.
If you are looking to take a break from 2020 - this is a great place to start!
Congratulations again Bill - you should be really proud.
Katie
xx
October 10, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley and Dundurn Press for giving me the chance to read and review, "Love Her Madly"by Bill Cosgrave. This nonfiction about Bill Cosgrave and being friends with Mary and Jim Morrison is really neat. I am a fan of The Doors so I was pretty excited to get my hands on this book. While Cosgrave lead a very interesting life, it kind of felt like it ended sadly for everyone involved. Reading about the relationship between Mary and Jim felt really special. While this work of nonfiction was not exactly what I was expecting, it was enjoyable and I was entranced by the writing style.
November 11, 2020
Bill Cosgrave had a very memorable and adventurous youth and he takes you back to the 60’s with his vivid descriptions and vernacular. It’s also a story of Bill’s friendship with Mary Werbelow and Jim Morrison before Jim became famous. The book is a fast, flowing and sometimes funny recollection of those times. In fact, I loved this book so much, I purchased copies for members of my book club. We will be discussing it at our next meeting, which Bill Cosgrave has graciously accepted our invitation to attend. If you want to experience the 60’s (and escape from 2020) READ THIS BOOK.
September 18, 2020
I couldn't put it down.
What an amazing story from start to finish. What a story, what a life!!!
The author takes us through a brilliant memoir that strikes a happy balance between himself, Mary, and of course Jim Morrison. Every article, video, and deep dive focuses on the rockstar Jim Morrison but rarely do you get an honest first hand account before the Doors opened.
A fun and insightful adventure which recounts a life well lived.
What an amazing story from start to finish. What a story, what a life!!!
The author takes us through a brilliant memoir that strikes a happy balance between himself, Mary, and of course Jim Morrison. Every article, video, and deep dive focuses on the rockstar Jim Morrison but rarely do you get an honest first hand account before the Doors opened.
A fun and insightful adventure which recounts a life well lived.
February 9, 2021
Popular culture often portrays Doors singer Jim Morrison as a drug addicted, alcohol dependent, out-of-control person. This memoir by Bill Cosgrave reveals the quiet, shy, thoughtful side of Jim Morrison when the author knew him before he became famous. Cosgrave also reveals his love for Morrison's soul mate and one-time girlfriend Mary. A fascinating read about life in L.A. during the 1960's.
October 19, 2020
While a wishful tale of an idyllic time, I question how much is fact and what is made up. I cannot say it is fiction but there is little that can be collaborated, and much of the story seems a bit much. Perhaps like Fargo, this is a true story! None the less it is short and I did enjoy the read.
December 16, 2020
A well written, informative and engrossing book about Jim Morrison's early life.
It's perfect for any Doors fan and I learned something new.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's perfect for any Doors fan and I learned something new.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
January 14, 2021
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Long a Doors fan, I basically devoured this book. The story of Mary and Jim Morrison written by a good friend tells of their romance, and ultimate separation, in a poignant way. A good read!
Long a Doors fan, I basically devoured this book. The story of Mary and Jim Morrison written by a good friend tells of their romance, and ultimate separation, in a poignant way. A good read!
October 28, 2020
I read this amazing story in 4 hours!
I could not put it down!
Everyone interested in a life filled with adventure,
Love and loss will want this in their library!
I could not put it down!
Everyone interested in a life filled with adventure,
Love and loss will want this in their library!
January 14, 2021
A heartbreaking love story! I loved learning about Jim Morrison before he was Jim Morrison of the Doors!
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November 24, 2021A really enjoyable read with excellent descriptive text that made me feel and see the travels from Florida, where you first met Jim and Mary, and then on to Venice Beach in California made this book so much fun to read.
Your times with Jim on Venice Beach are so illuminating and makes one wonder just what a tragedy it was to lose such an amazing artist -- who was writing poetry and looking at life through such a pure and gentle lens before music and fame took him way too early.
I am not sure why, but I think being at the genius level (like Jim obviously was) somehow creates a nasty mental back feed loop that needs to be shut down at times. Alcohol and often drugs seem to be the only way to shut off all mental noise at times -- that ends up taking too many great artists at such a young age.
Your beautiful writing of Jim's early days before the Doors is worth everyone's read -- even if you aren't a Doors fan or even a music fan -- as this book is a delight to read.
Your times with Jim on Venice Beach are so illuminating and makes one wonder just what a tragedy it was to lose such an amazing artist -- who was writing poetry and looking at life through such a pure and gentle lens before music and fame took him way too early.
I am not sure why, but I think being at the genius level (like Jim obviously was) somehow creates a nasty mental back feed loop that needs to be shut down at times. Alcohol and often drugs seem to be the only way to shut off all mental noise at times -- that ends up taking too many great artists at such a young age.
Your beautiful writing of Jim's early days before the Doors is worth everyone's read -- even if you aren't a Doors fan or even a music fan -- as this book is a delight to read.
December 28, 2020
This is a very short tale of a man who travelled to LA as a youth in the sixties and became buddies with the late Jim Morrison and his girlfriend. (no spoiler alerts needed there I hope?)
It was an interesting little snapshot of what life was like in the beginning of the "hippie", "flower power" movement in LA and the goings on with these three people. Maybe a fabulous insight to a fanatical Doors fan but all the same an interesting little journey.
Solid three stars and would recommend to any fans of Jim Morrison, the Doors or this genre in general.
It was an interesting little snapshot of what life was like in the beginning of the "hippie", "flower power" movement in LA and the goings on with these three people. Maybe a fabulous insight to a fanatical Doors fan but all the same an interesting little journey.
Solid three stars and would recommend to any fans of Jim Morrison, the Doors or this genre in general.
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