Info:
This brief footage of Jim Morrison riding in an MGB-GT appears to have been shot while on the way to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, and may represent the very first filming for Feast Of Friends.
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Soundtrack: Strange Days Albinoni's Adagio in G Minor (Background) Wild Child Albinoni's Adagio in G Minor Moonlight Drive Five to One Not To Touch The Earth Poetry (Jim Morrison) Dahomey Dance (Ray Manzarek) Arthritis Blues (Robby Krieger) Ode to Friedrich Nietzsche (Jim Morrison) The End (Live at the Hollywood Bowl) Neptune, The Mystic (Gustav Holst) |
Credits: Babe Hill - Sound Frank Lisciandro - Editing/Cameraman Paul Ferrara - Designer/Cameraman Harrison Ford - Assistant/Cameraman David Thompson - Cameraman (Hollywood Bowl) Steve Wax - Cameraman (Hollywood Bowl) |
Note: Performance footage may or may not exist from the scenes listed below. The dates & locations of various original audio segments remain unidentified and include in-flight/travel recordings.
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This brief footage of Jim Morrison riding in an MGB-GT appears to have been shot while on the way to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, and may represent the very first filming for Feast Of Friends.
Black and white backstage footage of The Doors in Santa Rosa at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds Grace Pavilion on April 13th, 1968. This appears to have been the first of the performance footage shot for what would become the basis of filmwork for Feast of Friends.
Shot in black and white, The Doors are captured on film while they perform on-stage at Sonoma County Fairgrounds Grace Pavilion in Santa Rosa, CA. Portions of this filmwork can be seen on the Live In Europe official release, and Tom DiCillo's When You're Strange documentary.
This unique black and white footage of The Doors recording a 'clap track' for 'Five To One' was shot at T.T.G. Studios in Los Angeles in what appears to be April 1968. The exact date of this filming is unknown, and the footage may represent the very first filming for 'Feast Of Friends'.
Prior to their performances at the Westbury Music Fair, the band and crew visit Vogue photographer Richard Avedon's studio in New York for a photo session. Paul Ferrara captures various portions of film, however Richard Avedon himself quickly approaches Paul on his arrival and demands that the camera be turned off. The photographs taken by Richard Avedon on this date later appear in an issue of Vogue magazine (See Photo Below). Babe Hill is present during this session with the Nagra recorder.
B&w footage documenting The Doors arrival for their performances at the Westbury Music Fair in New York on April 19th, 1968. Featuring audio, the black and white introductory portions of the finished film makes use of these shots. Albert Goldman appears next to Jim in the back of the limousine. Other portions of backstage footage exist from what appears to be this venue, however confirmation is still needed. While Babe Hill is said to have begun recording audio in May, he is present during this filming with a Nagra recorder in hand.
Color concert footage shot during at least one of The Doors performances at the Westbury Music Fair features footage of the execution scene performed by Jim Morrison and Robby Krieger during 'The Unknown Soldier'. Also featured in this unique performance footage is an active Jim Morrison 'clowning' around the stage. No original performance audio is known to exist from these shows, however pre-show audio is captured by Babe Hill on a Nagra during Jim Morrison's arrival for the early show.
This black and white footage of the band's arrival at the Toronto International Airport was shot on April 20th, 1968 and includes filmwork of The Doors as they step off the plane, greet fans, and make their way through the terminal. In-flight segments of footage of the band and crew are shot as they travel from New York. Other black and white film segments from this time period may have been shot backstage at the Toronto concert venue, however performance footage does not appear to exist. Alternate 16mm black and white newsreel footage of Jim Morrison shot backstage by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation includes native audio and confirms the date & location of various segments of 'Feast of Friends' footage. Babe Hill is present during this filming, recording audio with the Nagra.
Following their arrival in Toronto, The Doors are taken to CBC Studios in Toronto where they are filmed and photographed by various media outlets and fans, including CBC themselves. It was previously thought that these footage segments were shot backstage at the CNE Coliseum, however newly released segments indicate that no filming was done at the venue or during the performance.
Color footage shot at Robby Krieger's home in California in April, 1968. Filmed segments include Jim Morrison relaxing in a hammock, and the band flying a kite. The exact date of the filming is unknown.
16mm film shot by either Babe Hill or Harrison Ford at the sixth annual 'Renaissance Pleasure Faire' at the Paramount Ranch in Agoura, CA. Jim Morrison, Paul Ferrara, Babe Hill, and Harrison Ford attend this festival along with Robby Krieger and Lynn Veres (Krieger). Portions of this filmwork have been released officially and alternate segments can be seen in Paul Ferrara's compilation video 'Those Were The Days'.
Color footage of The Doors arrival at the Northern California Folk Rock Festival on May 19th, 1968. The band's limousines are escorted to the festival grounds by Hell's Angel's. Prior to the festival, Jim Morrison cuts his hair as short as it will ever be for the remainder of his life. Backstage at this festival, Babe Hill can be spotted operating the Nagra recorder. Babe is said to begin his role as sound engineer at this performance, however he can be spotted one month previously at the Westbury Music Fair with the Nagra in hand.
Color performance footage shot at the Northern California Folk Rock Festival on May 19th, 1968. Paul Ferrara's compilation video 'Those Were The Days' features a clip of Babe Hill recording with the Nagra at this festival, however no performance audio of The Doors is known to exist. This mid-day scheduling allows for quality footage to be shot due to brighter lighting. An 8mm film shot by an audience member briefly captures a young Harrison Ford preparing a camera while Country Joe & The Fish perform on-stage. Two minutes of footage taken of the festival audience and Hell's Angel's appear in original edits of 'Feast of Friends'.
Color footage shot during The Doors performance at Fresno District Fairgrounds on June 7th, 1968. Brief segments from this performance have been officially released in The Doors 1997 'Best Of' video, however no further materials have been made available. It appears only a short amount of performance footage is captured during this show.
Color footage featuring audio from a hotel room in Bakersfield. The Doors are filmed playing poker, drinking a beer and having a laugh. Ray bets five dollars and Robby wins the hand with 4 kings. This footage also features Robby teaching Jim and Ray how to play a new game. Harrison Ford is present during this filming and is responsible for use of the clapboard. During the outtakes, John Densmore returns from a visit to Sequoia National Forest and can be heard as he arrives but does not appear. Robby invites John to play cards but he declines, explaining he has not slept. Jim, telling Robby he doesn't like the new game, asks for his quarters back.
Backstage color footage with sound from the Bakersfield Civic Center on June 8th, 1968. For years this footage was said to have been shot at the Seattle Center Arena in July, however recent research has proven that this film sequence was in fact shot backstage at this venue. Although the entire band is captured on film, the bulk of the footage is a short interview with Jim Morrison by Pastor Fred L. Stiegemeier. Harrison Ford can be spotted briefly in the background as he carries gear past Jim Morrison.
Color performance footage shot at the Bakersfield Civic Center. Although Babe Hill is present backstage with the Nagra, no audio portions of this performance are known to exist. Seemingly extensive segments of footage have been officially released over the years, and largely feature Jim Morrison's on-stage antics.
This footage was shot by Paul Ferrara the day after The Doors performance in Bakersfield. Jim Morrison is captured nude during this visit to the Kern River, and requests the filmwork be destroyed. The exact amount of footage shot on this day is unknown, however numerous clips have been officially released.
Color concert footage shot at La Playa stadium on June 28th, 1968. Due to the dark nature of the film, there are no details to confirm the venue, however careful viewing of this footage reveals that it was filmed outdoors.
Performance footage shot at the San Diego Community Concourse Golden Hall on June 29th, 1968. Jim Morrison is captured on film wearing the well known vest seen in 'Live At The Hollywood Bowl'. The amount of footage captured during this performance appears to be brief.
The final segment of the finished 'Feast of Friends' film is performance footage of 'The End' captured live at the Hollywood Bowl on July 5th, 1968. A full version of the entire concert was officially released in 1987 as 'Live At The Hollywood Bowl'. The filmwork is a mix of 3 different 16mm Airiflex cameras, one high speed 16mm camera, and features professional 8-track audio of the concert recorded by Paul Rothchild and Bruce Botnick in the Wally Heider remote truck. As a full concert film release was never intended, portions of audio and film from this show are missing or disrupted. Click HERE for more information regarding the Hollywood Bowl footage.
Film Crew:
Paul Ferrara - Center Seating Area / 16mm Arriflex
Frank Lisciandro - Stage Foot Area / 16mm Arriflex
David Thompson - Stage Area / 16mm Arriflex
Steve Wax - Seating Area (High Speed Camera) / 16mm
Very little performance footage is captured at the Dallas Memorial Auditorium on July 9th, 1968. Various clips from this filmwork can be seen throughout The Doors official releases.
Color footage of The Doors backstage at the Sam Houston Coliseum on July 10th, 1968. Paul Ferrara captures the band on film as they make their way towards the stage, and continues to film throughout the performance.
Color footage of The Doors concert at the Sam Houston Coliseum on July 10th, 1968. During this performance, Jim Morrison is said to have disappeared under the stage and this filmwork captures his re-emergence. Alternate 8mm audience footage captures Paul Ferrara filming Jim at the same moment during the show. Also features fans bombarding the stage, and Jim Morrison drinking a can of beer while The Doors continue to play. A portion of the official 'Roadhouse Blues' video was created using footage from this performance, and various alternate clips have been released in 'When You're Strange'.
Prior to The Doors performance at the Seattle Center Arena on July 12th, 1968, Paul Ferrara captures The Doors on film while boarding a monorail built for the 1962 World's Fair exhibit. While on board, Jim Morrison reads a copy of Helix magazine featuring an advertisement for The Doors concert on the backside. In a sarcastic tone, Jim mocks page 6 of the magazine which quotes Hermann Goering of the Nazi's with "Why of course the people don't want war."
< Click Here to VIEW or DOWNLOAD a complete PDF copy of Jim's magazine! |
As well as the monorail, The Doors visit Seattle's Space Needle, also built in 1962 for the World's Fair.
Color footage shot backstage following The Doors performance at the Honolulu International Center on July 20th, 1968. Click HERE to read first-hand, in-depth commentaries on this footage from KKUA radio personality and concert attendee, Neil Ross!
During the week following their performance at the Honolulu International Center, The Doors remain in Hawaii for a holiday where Paul Ferrara films the band and crew at Lahaina Pier in Maui. This unique footage features Jim Morrison in shorts, riding a bicycle, and laughing with friends. These segments also include the band and friends aboard a yacht, and Jim is filmed resting in a sail.
Color footage of the band attempting 'Wild Child' at Elektra Sound Studios on July 26th, 1968. This footage features Bruce Botnick and Paul Rothchild working with the band. Officially released segments of film feature native audio, and suggest filming may have taken place over numerous takes of the song. Exact details regarding original audio and video contents from this session are unknown.
Backstage color footage with sound shot at the Singer Bowl in New York on August 2nd, 1968. Features Jim Morrison wandering through the audience prior to the performance while Paul Ferrara and Babe Hill follow in close. Numerous chairs thrown by the audience during this performance, however the event is not captured on film. Following the performance, Jim Morrison talks with an injured concert attendee.
The Doors are captured on film during their performance at the Singer Bowl on August 2nd, 1968. Features footage of the band as they make their way to the stage, and Jim Morrison performs wildly to an aggressive audience. While filming on-stage during this performance, Paul Ferrara hides behind John Densmore's drums to shield himself and his camera from audience projectiles.
Color footage shot at the Cleveland Public Auditorium on August 3rd, 1968. Includes the infamous footage of Jim Morrison taking a swing at the cameraman, Paul Ferrara (He does not hit him). Also features Jim Morrison lying on-stage while audience members attempt to get close. Babe Hill can be spotted during these segments while recording with the Nagra, however there is no confirmation that original audio portions from this show are still intact.
Color footage of the The Doors as they arrive on-stage at the Philadelphia Arena on August 4th, 1968. Paul Ferrara follows the band through the audience and onto the stage. Although official releases of this segment have been edited and overdubbed with audio representing the start of a performance by The Doors, the filmwork is silent. Performance footage segments are brief.
Color footage shot at Rick Manczarek's wedding on August 23rd, 1968. Very brief clips feature Ray Manzarek and Dorothy Fujikawa. The exact amount of footage shot at this wedding ceremony is unknown.
Color performance footage shot at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland on August 30th, 1968. Portions of this footage are out of focus, and officially released clips are brief.
Color footage shot prior to The Doors performance at the Asbury Park Convention Hall on August 31st, 1968. Jim Morrison can be seen wandering through various parts of the venue as Paul Ferrara follows with the camera. Various scenes from this venue appear to have been shot intentionally. Paul Ferrara's video 'Those Were The Days' features alternate footage of Jim Morrison and John Densmore on the boardwalk.
Color performance footage shot at the Asbury Park Convention Hall during at least one of two shows. Features a scene in which a necklace thrown on-stage by an audience member lands around Jim Morrison's neck. Offically released performance clips from this venue are brief.
Color footage with original audio shot backstage at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center on September 1st, 1968 features Jim Morrison on a piano reciting poetry later known as 'Ode To Friedrich Nietzsche'. Robby Krieger performs 'Arthritis Blues' and Ray Manzarek performs 'Dahomey Dance'. John Densmore, Dorothy Fujikawa, and Lynn Krieger are present. Unreleased portions of this backstage filmwork can be seen in 'When You're Strange', and Paul Ferrara's video 'Those Were The Days' that includes a previously unknown backstage poetry reading by Jim Morrison with original audio. This is the final date of filming for what would become 'Feast Of Friends'.
The final performance footage for 'Feast Of Friends' was shot at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center on September 1st, 1968. In the days following this performance, Paul Ferrara returns to California and The Doors move on to London for their first European tour. Live filming of the band continues with Granada Television at the London Roundhouse for their broadcast special 'The Doors Are Open'.