The Doors

by The Doors, Ben Fong-Torres (Contributor)

The Doors are rock royalty. Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore reinvented rock 'n' roll in the 60s, and their influence can be felt even today. Now, for the first time, the living members of the band are opening up their personal archives to their fans, telling their story in their own words. This book is filled with untold anecdotes and never-before-seen photos from their private collections. Fans can learn first-hand what really went on in America's most enigmatic and mythical band.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction, Rock N Roll

304 pages, Hardcover

First published October 25, 2006

Reviews

[Iowa City Public Library]

The hot sizzling steaming mindless agony of what we call summer is only buffered by a great soundtrack. Well that’s what I think. For me, summer is The Doors. In a great new biography published in late 2006, the surviving members of The Doors, Ray Manzaric, John Densmore and Robby Krieger along with Rolling Stone write and editor Ben Fong-Torres recount the bands heyday in Los Angeles and its ride to success. In a story well known to any rock reader we hear about the early days in Venice and the Sunset Strip. We learn about early recordings and development deals and we see how early success sets the stage for the evolution of one of the most influential bands in the last 40 years. Unlike probably the best known book about the band, No one Here Gets out Alive, this book isn’t dominated by one James Douglas Morrison. What is special and makes this one something all Doors fans should read is that for the first time ever the Morrison family contributes. I found that to be thrilling. To hear from his brother, sister and most importantly, his father cleared up many issues I have had with the Doors legacy. The book has lots of never before seen pictures and they also discuss the legacy and endurance of the band to this day. So as we are waiting for the sun break on through to this soft parade that will light your fire until the end. It’s a book that took 40 years to write. --Terri

From ICPL Staff Picks Blog

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely well-produced coffee table book -- the kind you really read. Tons of quality pictures and a real attempt on the part of Ben Fong-Torres to understand. Much of the text is from the other members of The Doors and their connections, in a balanced arrangement.

[Essi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing photos and good interviews.

[Matthew Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great! Every one in the band had a voice in this story, as it should be. Great pics too.

[José Hernández Aguinaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply the best book i've read in my life.

[Matti Karjalainen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ben Fong-Torresin (The Rolling Stone -lehden entinen päätoimittaja, joka vilahti mm. "Almost Famous" -leffassa) toimittamassa The Doors -historiikissa äänen saavat yhtyeen jäsenet, tuottajat tyttöystävät, perheenjäsenet ja muut bändin vaiheita lähempää tai kauempaa seuranneet ihmiset haastattelujen tai muiden vastaavien kommenttien muodossa. Jim Morrisonin lausuntoja on myös ympätty mukaan, eikä ihme, sillä häneenhän yhtyeen tarina pitkälti henkilöityy.

Rumpali John Densmore tuntuu jälleen kerran the Doorsin täyspäisimmältä jäseneltä, jonka hermot eivät olleet kestää laulusolistin ryyppäämistä ja holtitonta elämää, kun taas Ray Manzarek sortuu jälleen kerran Liskokuningas-shamaani -myytin vahvistamiseen ja muuhun diibadaabaan.

Sisältönsä puolesta "The Doors" ei kuitenkaan tuo kauheasti uutta ja ennenkuulematonta yhtyeen tarinaan, joka on suurimmalle osalle tuttu lukuisista muista opuksista. Jim Morrisonin vanhempien kommentit ovat kylläkin kiinnostavia, vaikka nämä eivät poikaansa sanottavammin tavanneetkaan the Doorsin menestyksen päivinä. Valokuvien joukossa on useita äärimmäisen hienoja otoksia, ja kirja on muutenkin kaunis esine.

[Outi · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was kinda okay. Yes, it told the story of the Doors. But. The drug abuse and the music kind of disappered into one thing and that was idolizing Jim Morrison. Little notes were aside noting Densmore´s dislike of Morrison´s work ethics, but that was mostly it. The rest was a love song to a singer-songmaker and not a story about the whole band.

[Logan Weatherly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Great insight from all the band members and crew that made the Doors unique and fantastic. Usually anything doors related is focused mainly on Morrison but this book has endless insight and opinions from producers to the bands family. 4 unique individuals and their incredible, albeit short journey, into music infamy.

[Tunde · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a very lovely book,very informative...

[Tifinie · Rating 5 out of 5]

same as the joan jett book this book has lots of pictures during the bands lives lots of unseen pic of jim morrison and the band

[Tom]

if you like The Doors, this is a great coffee table book.

[Sarah O'neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for any doors fan ❤️

[Ness Lockhart · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't find it as interesting as the last book I read about the doors. Couldn't finish it. I liked looking at the pictures though.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exquisite coffee table style book. Full of incredible photographs and personal stories from interviews with all four of The Doors. There is a lot of information about the making of their albums and the creation of their music.

I was basically glued to this book, but it could be browsed at any time for the photographs or for the stories.

As a music lover and vinyl record collector, it drove me back to my collection to hear the stunning first album, then Strange Days and finally The Soft Parade. I only have these three albums but what albums they are! Still relevant and powerful sounding today, The Doors have made a huge impact in the music world and I bet they will be heard for a long, long time.

[Fernando Barriga · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a die-hard fan, this is a powerful visual and emotional dive into The Doors and the heart of rock history.