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PUBLISHED INTERVIEWS
Note: Publications are listed by date of original interview.SELF-INTERVIEW By Jim Morrison:
"I think the interview is the new art form. I think the self-interview is the essence of creativity. Asking yourself questions and trying to find answers. The writer is just answering a series of unuttered questions.
It's similar to answering questions on a witness stand. It's that strange area where you try and pin down something that happened in the past and try honestly to remember what you were trying to do. It's a crucial mental exercise. An interview will often give you a chance to confront your mind with questions, which to me is what art is all about. An interview also gives you the chance to try and eliminate all of those space fillers... you should try to be explicit, accurate, to the point... no bulshit. The interview form has antecedents in the confession box, debating and cross-examination. Once you say something, you can't really retract it. It's too late. It's a very existential moment.
I'm kind of hooked to the game of art and literature; my heroes are artists and writers.
I always wanted to write, but I always figured it'd be no good unless somehow the hand just took the pen and started moving without me really having anything to do with it. Like automatic writing. But it just never happened.
I wrote a few poems, of course. I think around the fifth or sixth grade I wrote a poem called "The Pony Express." That was the first I can remember. It was one of those ballad-type poems. I never could get it together though.
"Horse Latitudes" I wrote when I was in high school. I kept a lot of notebooks through high school and college, and then when I left school, for some dumb reason- maybe it was wise- I threw them all away... I wrote in those books night after night. But maybe if I'd never thrown them away, I'd never have written anything original- because they were mainly accumulations of things that I'd read or heard, like quotes from books. I think if I'd never gotten rid of them I'd never been free.
Listen, real poetry doesn't say anything, it just ticks off the possibilities. Opens all doors. You can walk through any one that suits you.
...And that's why poetry appeals to me so much- because it's so eternal. As long as there are people, they can remember words and combinations of words. Nothing else can survive a holocaust but poetry and songs. No one can remember an entire novel. No one can describe a film, a piece of sculpture, a painting, but so long as there are human beings, songs and poetry can continue.
If my poetry aims to achieve anything, it's to deliver poeple from the limited ways in which they see and feel."
Jim Morrison
Los Angeles, 1969-71
(Copyright © Jim Morrison; From 'Wilderness: The Lost Writings of Jim Morrison Vol. 1')
1967
PAUL WILLIAMS
Publication: Crawdaddy! Magazine
Issue: No. 10
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - March 1967
Publish Date: August 1967
Interview Location: Unknown Location
Info:
An interview with Paul Rothchild discussing The Doors, by Paul Williams, editor of Crawdaddy! Magazine. This interview is said to have been conducted in March 1967, and is later published in the August, 1967 issue of Crawdaddy! magazine. In 1969, portions of this interview are featured in Paul Williams' book 'Outlaw Blues: A Book of Rock Music'. A recording of this interview is also known.
BONNIE MARGOLIS
Publication: Discoscene Magazine
Issue: September 1967
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Late June 1967
Publish Date: September 1967
Interview Location: Steve Paul's 'The Scene' - NY
Info:
An interview with The Doors by Bonnie Margolis at Steve Paul's 'The Scene' on an unknown date in late June, 1967. A few weeks prior, Bonnie Margolis meets Jim Morrison at Town Hall while The Doors are in Philadelphia for a concert. First published in the September 1967 issue, this article is re-featured in regional variants of this magazine such as 'WAPE Scene', distributed by WAPE Radio in Jacksonville, FL.
EMMETT LAKE
Publication: East Village Other
Issue: Unknown
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Late June 1967
Publish Date: Unknown
Interview Location: Unknown Location - NY
Info:
This 1967 interview of The Doors by Emmett Lake was published in the 'East Village Other', and appears to have been conducted in late June, 1967 while the band is performing at Steve Paul's 'The Scene'.
GREGORY SHAW
Publication: Mojo Navigator
Issue: Vol 2. No. 2
Interview Date: Unknown
Publish Date: August 1967
Interview Location: Unknown Location
Info:
This interview with The Doors by Gregory Shaw is published in 'Mojo Navigator' in August, 1967. The exact date and location of this interview is unknown. The length of this published interview indicates that it may have been recorded.
JANE SCOTT
Publication: Cleveland Plain Dealer
Issue: September 15th
Interview Date: September 14th - 1967
Publish Date: September 15th - 1967
Interview Location: Backstage Musicarnival - Warrensville, OH
Info:
This backstage interview with Jim Morrison is conducted by journalist Jane Scott during Musicarnival in Warrensville, Ohio on September 14th, 1967, and published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer the following day.
JEFF COX
Publication: Lowell Sun
Issue: September 19th
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - September 1967
Publish Date: September 19th - 1967
Interview Location: Steve Paul's 'The Scene' - NY
Info:
This interview by Jeff Cox may have taken place with the entire band at Steve Paul's 'The Scene' in New York City. Only Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek are quoted.
JEFFREY ALEXANDER
Publication: Harvard Crimson
Issue: October 13th
Interview Date: August 28th - 1967
Publish Date: October 13th - 1967
Interview Location: The Doors Office - CA
Info:
This interview with the entire band by Jeffrey Alexander took place at The Doors office on August 28th, 1967 and was published in the Harvard Crimson in October. Jim Morrison apologizes for the lateness of the rest of the band, explaining to Jeffrey that The Doors played a late show at the Cheetah the night before.
MICHAEL OBERMAN
Publication: Washington Star
Issue: November 18th
Interview Date: Unknown
Publish Date: November 18th - 1967
Interview Location: Exact Location Unknown
Info:
This phone-call interview with Jim Morrison by Michael Oberman took place on an unknown date in 1967. The article is published in the November 18th edition of the Washington Star. This interview was not recorded.
FRED POWLEDGE
Publication: LIFE Magazine
Issue: April 12 - 1968
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Early December 1967
Publish Date: April 12 - 1968
Interview Location: Exact Location Unknown - NY
Info:
This interview with The Doors conducted by Fred Powledge was incorporated into an article written about Jim Morrison's arrest in New Haven, in the April 12th, 1968 issue of LIFE Magazine. The interview takes place in December 1967, shortly before The Doors performance in Troy, NY on December 8th.
1968
RICHARD GOLDSTEIN
Publication: New York Magazine
Issue: Aug. 5th - 1968
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - March 1968
Publish Date: August 5th - 1968
Interview Location: T.T.G. Studios - Hollywood, CA
Info:
This interview by Richard Goldstein was published in New York Magazine in August, 1968. The original date of this interview is unknown, however it appears to have taken place in March, 1968 as The Doors record 'Five To One'. Richard Goldstein mentions the use of a tape recorder.
DIGBY DIEHL
Publication: Eye Magazine
Issue: April 1968
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - March 1968
Publish Date: April 1968
Interview Location: Unknown Location
Info:
This magazine article by Digby Diehl features quotations taken from an interview with The Doors in March 1968 for Eye Magazine. The band members discuss their latest happenings and previous histories, and Jim Morrison attempts to explain the meaning of the 'Blue Bus'.
DON PAULSEN
Publication: Hit Parader
Issue: May 1968
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - April 1968
Publish Date: May 1968
Interview Location: Unknown Location
Info:
This article titled 'The Doors Talk Music' features an interview by Don Paulsen with Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger & John Densmore. Jim Morrison does not appear to be present. The band answers questions about their instruments, and discuss aspects of studio recording sessions. Don Paulsen is also a noted photographer of The Doors live performances, including Steve Paul's 'The Scene' in N.Y.C.
JERRY HOPKINS
Publication: Open City
Issue: June 28th
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - May 1968
Publish Date: June 28th - 1968
Interview Location: Unknown Location - Los Angeles, CA
Info:
In this interview, Jim Morrison discusses the failed attempt to record 'The Celebration Of The Lizard' during the 'Waiting For The Sun' studio sessions. Conducted by Jerry Hopkins for 'Open City' magazine prior to his in-depth interview for Rolling Stone in 1969.
BOB ROSE
Publication: Toledo Blade
Issue: June 2nd
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - May 1968
Publish Date: June 2nd - 1968
Interview Location: 'The Doors' Office - Hollywood, CA
Info:
Bob Rose interviews Jim Morrison at The Doors office as it's under renovations to make room for Paul Ferrara's new workspace. The article is published in the June 2nd edition of the Toledo Blade.
JACOB ATLAS
Publication: Hullabaloo Magazine
Issue: Two Issues - October > November 1968
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - June 1968
Publish Date: October 1968 pt1 - November 1968 pt2
Interview Location: T.T.G. Studios - Hollywood, CA
Info:
An interview with The Doors by Jacob Atlas towards the end of the 'Waiting For The Sun' sessions. It's possible that this interview was recorded. The exact date of this interview is unknown, however Jacob mentions the 'recent' Santa Clara show on May 19th, and the 'upcoming' concert at the Hollywood Bowl on July 5th.
JOHN CARPENTER
Publication: Los Angeles Free Press
Issue: July 19 - 25
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Mid July 1968
Publish Date: July 19 - 25 Issue, 1968
Interview Location: The Phone Booth - Hollywood, CA
Info:
This interview with Jim Morrison is recorded in June or early July, 1968 by John Carpenter, journalist for the Los Angeles Free Press. Prior to its publication, transcripts of the recording are sent to Jim for approval. He requests further clarification from Pamela Courson and extensive portions are removed. This interview is published in the Los Angeles Free Press for the week of July 19th-25th.
MIKE GRANT
Publication: Rave! Magazine
Issue: December 1968
Interview Date: September 7th - 1968
Publish Date: December - 1968
Interview Location: I.C.A. Gallery - London, U.K.
Info:
Various photographers, writers, and journalists attend the press conference held at the I.C.A. Gallery in London, England on September 7th, 1968. Mike Grant is amongst the press and is given a chance to ask Jim Morrison a number of questions. The interviewer following Mike is ridiculed by Jim.
RICHARD GREEN
Publication: New Musical Express
Issue: April 25th - 1970
Interview Date: September 7th - 1968
Publish Date: April 25th - 1970
Interview Location: I.C.A. Gallery - London, U.K.
Info:
Richard Green follows Mike Grant at the I.C.A Gallery with a failed attempt to ask Jim Morrison about a comparison with Mick Jagger. This short interview was not published until April 1970 in the 'New Musical Express'.
NICK LOGAN
Publication: New Musical Express
Issue: September 21st - 1968
Interview Date: September xx - 1968
Publish Date: September 21st - 1968
Interview Location: I.C.A. Gallery - London, U.K./Unknown
Info:
Nick Logan attended the press conference at the I.C.A Gallery, however his interview may not have taken place until a short time after. Jim Morrison discusses his musical influences in an article titled 'Elvis Influenced Doors' Jim', published on September 21st, 1968. A second article titled 'You Can't Divorce Sex From Pop' is published on October 19th.
TONY GLOVER
Publication: Circus Magazine
Issue: Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul, 1969
Interview Date: November 10 - 1968
Publish Date: Mar-July 1969
Interview Location: Backstage Minneapolis Auditorium - Minneapolis, MN
Info:
Tony Glover interviews The Doors prior to their November 10th, 1968 performance at the Minneapolis Auditorium. This interview was published in Circus Magazine over 5 parts, the first in March 1969, and the 5th and final part in July 1969.
MICHAEL LYDON
Publication: New York Times
Issue: January 19th
Interview Date: December 13-14 - 1968
Publish Date: January 19th - 1969
Interview Location: L.A. Forum - Los Angeles, CA
Info:
An interview with Jim Morrison by Michael Lydon conducted over two days during The Doors performance at the L.A. Forum in December 1968. Michael is stationed in San Francisco and interviews Jim on their return from rehearsals at The Forum in Los Angeles and backstage following the show. Portions of this interview are published in the January 19th edition of the New York Times, 5 days prior to The Doors performance at Madison Square Garden. This interview was not recorded.
1969
PATRICIA KENNEALY
Publication: Jazz & Pop Magazine
Issue: March 1969
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Early 1969
Publish Date: March - 1969
Interview Location: Unknown - New York, NY
Info:
This interview with Jim Morrison by editor of 'Jazz & Pop Magazine' Patricia Kennealy was published in an article titled 'When The Music's Over' in March 1969. This interview is arranged after a meeting during a press conference in New York following The Doors performance at Madison Square Garden.
JERRY HOPKINS
Publication: Rolling Stone
Issue: No. 38
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Early May 1969
Publish Date: July 26th - 1969
Interview Location: Various Locations - Los Angeles, CA
Info:
This interview was recorded over a period of about two weeks, including sessions in a Santa Monica Blvd. bar, The Doors office, going to and from the office of an agent both Jerry and Jim Morrison coincidentally shared, and concludes in the Elektra studio with a reading of Jim's poem "The Death of Rock". This interview was published in the July 26th issue of Rolling Stone magazine.
JAMES SPURLOCK
Publication: Chicago Daily News
Issue: June 16th
Interview Date: June 14th - 1969
Publish Date: June 16th - 1969
Interview Location: Backstage Chicago Auditorium Theatre - Chicago, IL
Info:
In between the early and late shows at the Chicago Auditorium Theatre in 1969, James Spurlock is granted an interview with Jim Morrison. Questions about Miami are not to be asked, and portions of the interview are published in the June 16th edition of the Chicago Daily News.
ED LEIMBACHER
Publication: Portland New Times Journal
Issue: September 7th, 1970
Interview Date: July 27th - 1969
Publish Date: September 7th, 1970
Interview Location: Limousine - Woodinville, WA
Info:
A detailed account of this attempted interview with Jim Morrison was published in the September 7th, 1970 edition of the Portland New Times Journal, and a follow-up was written in May 2007, further chronicling the event. Prior to The Doors performance at the Seattle Pop Festival, Jim Morrison and Gram Parsons are together in a limousine, and allow Ed Leimbacher inside. Jim Morrison is said to be very difficult and during the unscheduled interview.
HANK ZEVALLOS
Publication: Poppin
Issue: No. 5
Interview Date: July 31st - 1969
Publish Date: September 1969
Interview Location: Unknown Location - Los Angeles, CA
Info:
Portions of this interview with Jim Morrison are published in the September 1969 issue of 'Poppin' magazine. Hank Zevallos previously attended The Doors performances at the Aquarius Theatre, and an after-party thrown by Elektra to celebrate the completion of the live recordings that were, at the time, scheduled to become the live album.
JACK BATTEN
Publication: Toronto Star
Issue: September 13th
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Early September 1969
Publish Date: September 13th - 1969
Interview Location: The Doors Office - CA
Info:
In early September 1969, Jack Batten travels from Toronto to The Doors office for a lengthy interview with Jim Morrison on the upcoming 'Toronto Rock n' Roll Revival' music festival. Leon Barnard is present during this interview, and Jim is exhausted after an all-night mixing session for the soundtrack of HWY. Jim explains that he recently finished a screenplay for Michael McClure's 'The Adept'.
1970
DAVE MARSH
Publication: Creem
Issue: No. 10
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - January 1970
Publish Date: February 1970
Interview Location: Handwritten Questions - Detroit, MI > The Doors Office, CA
Info:
In January 1970, Dave Marsh submits handwritten questions to The Doors office for Jim Morrison to respond too. The published article appears in the February issue of Creem magazine.
HANK ZEVALLOS
Publication: Poppin Magazine
Issue: No. 9
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - February 1970
Publish Date: March 1970
Interview Location: Telephone Call - The Doors Office > Vancouver, Canada
Info:
This interview was published in what would be the final issue of 'Poppin' magazine in March, 1970. This issue was used to promote the 'Jim Morrison Film Festival' scheduled to take place on March 27th, 1970 in Vancouver and featured a promotional poster for the event. Jim Morrison is also scheduled to appear during this festival, but due to circumstances regarding the Miami trial, he would never attend. The exact date of this interview is unknown.
LIZZE JAMES
Publication: Creem
Issue: 1981
Interview Date: Various Dates - April 14th - 1970
Publish Date: 1981
Interview Location: La Cienega Boulevard - Los Angeles, CA
Info:
Lizze James met with Jim Morrison on numerous occasions, however at the time of this 'interview', it was not scheduled to be published. In 1981, a lengthy review of her time spent with Jim appears in Creem magazine. Portions of her transcripts are also available in the 'The Doors: The Illustrated History' by Danny Sugerman.
MICHAEL CUSCUNA
Publication: DownBeat
Issue: Vol. 11 No. 37
Interview Date: May 1st - 1970
Publish Date: May 28th - 1970
Interview Location: Philadelphia Hotel Room - Philadelphia, PA
Info:
This interview by Michael Cuscuna took place in Jim Morrison's hotel room prior to The Doors performance at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. The article is later published in the May 28th edition of DownBeat Magazine, and includes a review of the concert. During this interview, Michael is given a copy of Jim Morrison's private publication, 'The Lords and New Creatures'.
MICHAEL OBERMAN
Publication: Washington Star
Issue: May 9th
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Early May 1970
Publish Date: May 9th - 1970
Interview Location: Exact Location Unknown - Philadelphia, PA
Info:
A second interview of Jim Morrison by Michael Oberman is conducted for the Washington Star in 1970, and published on May 9th. This interview was not recorded.
JOHN TOBLER
Publication: ZigZag
Issue: No. 16
Interview Date: August 30th - 1970
Publish Date: October 1970
Interview Location: Isle Of Wight
Info:
This interview with Jim Morrison was conducted and recorded by John Tobler at the Isle of Wight Festival on August 30th, 1970, and later published in the October issue of ZigZag magazine. Jim Morrison discusses various subjects including the future of music festivals, Woodstock, and The Doors performances at the Roundhouse in London in 1968. The published issue of ZigZag Magazine is available for viewing HERE.
SALLI STEVENSON
Publication: Circus Magazine
Issue: Two Issues - January > February 1971
Interview Date: October 13th - 1970
Publish Date: January & February - 1971
Interview Location: The Doors Office - Los Angeles, CA
Info:
This interview with Jim Morrison by Salli Stevenson is published over two issues of Circus Magazine - Jan 1971 - Feb 1971. An original recording of this interview is officially released on Bright Midnight's 'The Lost Interview Tapes' Vol. 2
BOB CHORUSH
Publication: Los Angeles Free Press
Issue: January 15th
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Early December 1970
Publish Date: January 15th - 1971
Interview Location: Various Locations - Los Angeles
Info:
This interview by Bob Chorush in early December, 1970 took place in various locations throughout Los Angeles. Elektra Records asked Bob repetitively to conduct an interview with Jim Morrison as he liked the articles written about him in the L.A. Free Press. Bob was not thrilled at the idea, and Jim had a "horrible reputation in LA for acting like a drunk jerk". The original article titled 'The Lizard King reforms: taking the snake and wearing it' is drafted over the holidays and submitted to the Free Press after New Year's and published on January 15th, 1971.
1971
LYNNE RANDELL
Publication: Unknown
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - 1971
Publish Date: Unknown
Interview Location: Unknown Location - Los Angeles, CA
Info:
Lynne Randell interviewed Jim Morrison in Los Angeles shortly before his move to Paris. The exact date and publication history of this interview are unknown.
BEN FONG-TORRES
Publication: Rolling Stone No. 77
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - February 1971
Publish Date: March 4th - 1971
Interview Location: Diane Gardiner's Apartment - Los Angeles, CA
Info:
This unintentional interview with Jim Morrison by Ben Fong-Torres in early 1971 was published in the March 4th, 1971 issue of Rolling Stone magazine. An original recording of this interview features Pamela Courson.