Jim Morrison, (James Douglas Morrison), 12/8/43 – 7/3/71. Born in Melbourne, Florida he grew up in a military family. Jim was a poet, a singer and a songwriter. He was best known as the lead singer of The Doors, and is considered to be one of the most charismatic and influential frontmen in the history of rock music. He was also an author of several poetry books, a documentary, short film, and three early music videos ("The Unknown Soldier", "Moonlight Drive", and "People are Strange"). Jim died in Paris at the age of 27 making him the fourth member of the “27 Club”. There has never been a confirmed cause of death, but "heart attack" induced by drug use is the most common theory.
I fell in love with Jim when I was 12 years old. He'd been dead for awhile but when I heard The Doors - and saw a photo of him - I was hooked. Has there ever been a more beautiful face or a more haunting voice (that was a rhetorical question!). Since then I've read a lot about him and respect him in spite of his many character flaws, after all, don't we all have plenty ourselves? I think he was a poet first, then a songwriter, then a performer. I believe Jim was frustrated that people did not appreciate The Doors music in the way he intended. Yet, in the midst of it all, he got caught up in the typical lifestyle of super-stardom. Those things may have contributed to his drinking/drug problems. I wonder what he'd be doing today if he were still here?
Doors - The End
via FoxyTunes
Duane Allman, (Howard Duane Allman), 11/20/46 – 10/29/71. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Duane was known for playing slide guitar and was a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band. He was known for being a great slide guitar player and appeared as a session musician on albums by Eric Clapton and others. He died in a motorcycle accident at age 24.
My introduction to Duane Allman was in the summer of '75. I was at Main Beach in Laguna and noticed a whitewashed brick wall in the distance. It was just sitting there on the beach like it used to be part of something but only that wall remained. Very odd. The front of the wall said "Duane Allman - We Love You". There were other things written on it too, little tributes to Duane. There were objects left on top of the wall (don't remember what). After seeing the wall my interest was piqued. Back in those days you had to research in the library OR ask your best friends older brother :) I heard the story of Duane. Since then I have listened to his music with a lot of respect and a sense of loss for a GREAT SLIDE GUITARIST.
Duane Allman & Delaney Bonnie & Friends - Livin On the Open Road
via FoxyTunes
3 comments:
We'll never forget Jim Morrison and especially his great songs. The brilliant "The End" is still my 4th most favorite song of all time! RIP!
Grtz, Q
My first exposure to Duane Allman was actually by Boz Scaggs, Loan Me a Dime. It was recorded in 1969 when both Boz and Duane were still making names for themselves.
I read that Duane recorded literally hundreds of sessions with other Muscle Shoals musicians which he never received or took credit for prior to his days in the Allman Brothers Band.
Perplexio is correct...though many of the sessions Duane played on at Muscle Shoals are included on the Duane Allman Anthology 1 & 2 LPs, he was known to just walk into a session, cut some runs and leave.
He loved to just jam and did not need to have the credit thrown at him.
As you know, he is at the top of my list of guitarists (even over Jimi), and I often wonder what brilliance would have been delivered to us if that dang truck had not made that turn that fateful ay.
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