The music of the American classic rock, blues rock, and psychedelic rock band The Doors was a complex melting pot of various genres and influences. Among these influences were, of course, a series of literary influences, but, at the same time, there were also several mythological and spiritual influences (deeply interconnected with the aforementioned literary ones). This brief informative article therefore delves into the mythological and spiritual influences which shaped the music of one of the most beloved, influential, and fascinating rock bands in music history.
The Doors in November, 1966 (publicity photograph by Elektra Records, their label), from left to right: John Densmore (drums and percussion), Robby Krieger (electric guitar), Ray Manzarek (keyboards), and Jim Morrison (poetry and lead vocals, occasionally percussion as well). Image source: Wikimedia Commons
Mythological influences
Starting off with the mythological influences, it must be mentioned that from a lyrical point of view the Doors were influenced by two notable myths from Greek mythology, more specifically the myth of Oedipus in the lyrics of the song The End (featured on the band’s debut self-titled studio album which was released in 1967) as well as the myth of Hyacinthus on Hyacinth House (a touching song from the band’s last studio album with poet and singer Jim Morrison on lead vocals, namely L.A. Woman which was released in 1971). Moreover, in several interviews, legendary keyboardist Ray Manzarek even went so far as to claim that Jim Morrison was a manifestation of the ancient Greek god Dionysus (while he, in stark contrast, was often compared to or perceived as an embodiment of Apollo, given his well-structured and organised contributions on electric piano and the then-newly introduced Fender Rhodes Piano Bass; he covered the keys of the Fender Rhodes electric piano with one hand while the other hand covered the bass keys of the Fender Rhodes Piano Bass). Dionysus was the ancient Greek god of winemaking, wine, grapes, grape cultivation, fertility, madness or mayhem, theater (or drama), ecstasy, and religious dynasty. He represented the patron god of theater and arts and is known as Bacchus in Roman mythology. Apollo was the god of men’s purification from their flaws and sins as well as law and order.
Spiritual influences
The band’s frontman, poet, singer, and lyricist, Jim Douglas Morrison, was significantly inspired and influenced by Native American shamanism. A crucial moment in his life when it comes to Native American spirituality took place in around 1949. At that time he accompanied his family while they were driving through the New Mexico desert when all of a sudden they witnessed a group of Native Americans bleeding on the highway. Jim Morrison claimed that the souls of the departed Native Americans from that highway ‘leapt’ into that of his own, a spiritual belief which he had immortalised in the lyrics of the song Peace Frog from the studio album Morrison Hotel (a studio album which was released in 1970). This particular spiritual experience and belief was also preserved in the lyrics of two songs from the predominantly spoken word/poetry-based studio album An American Prayer (released in 1978), with music by the three surviving members of the band, Ray Manzarek on keyboards, Robby Krieger on guitar, and John Densmore on drums and percussion. Jim Morrison’s fascination with Native American spirituality also influenced his stage persona (or alter ego known as the Lizard King; inspired by the connection between sacred animals or totems and the subconscious) and live performances. Furthermore, as part of his literary interests were also the writings of Carlos Castaneda, particularly those on Yaqui wizards (side note: the Yaqui are a Native American population from Mexico). Last but not least, for Jim Morrison, music was not a just a form of entertainment, but rather a spiritual experience.
Portrait of American poet and singer Jim Douglas Morrison, a sensitive, intellectual, and very loving young man, gone way too son from this world, but never forgotten. Image source: Wikimedia Commons
‘[…] Indians scattered on dawn’s highway bleedin’
Ghosts crowd the young child’s fragile eggshell mind’ – Jim Morrison, Peace Frog by The Doors
‘I’m kind of hooked to the game of art and literature; my heroes are artists and writers.’ – Jim Morrison (Source: https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1316590)
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Documentation sources and external links:
- Dionysus on www.britannica.com (Encyclopædia Britannica online)
- Oedipus on www.britannica.com (Encyclopædia Britannica online)
- Apollo on www.britannica.com (Encyclopædia Britannica online)
- Hyacinthus on www.britannica.com (Encyclopædia Britannica online)
- The Doors on www.britannica.com (Encyclopædia Britannica online)
- Shaman or Showman? The Myths of Jim Morrison From an Aesthetic Anthropological Perspective, a study by Richard Papp on www.researchgate.net (Research Gate)