The Doors Tickets

The Doors in Concert

The Doors opened for business when love power was in full flower in late-1960s L.A., but in the heart of the hippie dream they emerged with distinctly more unsettling nocturnal visions. Between the dark, poetic musings of frontman Jim Morrison, the jazzy drumming of John Densmore, the serpentine guitar licks of Robby Krieger, and the classically influenced organ lines of Ray Manzarek, they crafted a completely original sound. 

In front of an audience, Morrison could become a satyr-like showman, bringing a commanding sensuality to the band's performances, sometimes landing the band in hot water with the authorities on account of his onstage antics. But for all the darkness in their sound, The Doors connected with the mainstream rock audience in a major way. 

They started scoring hits in 1967 with "Light My Fire" and "People Are Strange," and their popularity continued unabated until Morrison's death in 1971. But a curious phenomenon began to develop after his death: the band became even more popular posthumously than they were when they were active. 

Books about the band (including memoirs by Manzarek and Densmore), best-of albums, archival live recordings, documentaries, and an Oliver Stone–directed biopic all contributed to keeping the flame of The Doors burning decades after their disbandment. In the ‘00s, Manzarek and Krieger began performing with various singers and drummers as The Doors of the 21st Century until Manzarek's death in 2013. 

In retrospect, it isn't too surprising that a whole cottage industry of Doors tribute bands has emerged over time as well. The Soft Parade are one of the longest-lasting and most popular, but they've got plenty of company. The Doors in Concert, Through The Doors, Wild Child, Feast of Friends, and Riders on the Storm are among the outfits that have kept the spirit of The Doors alive onstage.