1969
SYLVIE REICE
Publication: Various
Issue: Various - February 1969
Interview Date: January 23rd - 1969
Publish Date: Early February - 1969
Interview Location: Unknown Location - New York, NY
Info:
On January 23rd, 1969 at Steinway Hall in New York City, youth editor for McCall's magazine Sylvie Reice is given an opportunity to talk to Jim Morrison briefly while The Doors are rehearsing for their performance the following night at Madison Square Garden. A short Q&A takes place, and Jim Morrison is shown an article about himself in which he states "I'm tired of being misquoted". Feast Of Friends is mentioned, and Jim discusses his upcoming private poetry publications. During rehearsal The Doors perform Touch Me and Wild Child. There is currently no indication of its publication in McCall's, however various edits of an article titled 'Swinging Set' are syndicated in newspapers across the U.S. in early February of 1969.
FRANK BARRON
Publication: Amusement Business
Issue: February 22nd - 1969
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Early 1969
Publish Date: February 22nd - 1969
Interview Location: Phone Call
Info:
This short interview took place over the phone with Bill Siddons for Amusement Business magazine, a sub-publication of Billboard Magazine. Due to The Doors absence at the time of the call, Bill speaks for the band, and discusses different aspects of touring and business. The exact date of this interview is unknown, but it is published shortly before The Doors Miami concert with the title 'Doors Notorious Because They're White - Says Mgr.'
PATRICIA KENNEALY
Publication: Jazz & Pop Magazine
Issue: March 1969
Interview Date: January 25th - 1969
Publish Date: March - 1969
Interview Location: Hotel - New York, NY
Info:
This interview with Jim Morrison, Robby Krieger and John Densmore takes place on January 25th, 1969 by editor of Jazz & Pop Magazine Patricia Kennealy and was published in an article titled 'When The Music's Over' in the March 1969 issue.
JERRY HOPKINS
Publication: Rolling Stone / InterVIEW
Issue: No. 38 / No. 01
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Early May 1969
Publish Date: July 26th - 1969 (Rolling Stone)
Interview Location: Various Locations - Los Angeles, CA
Info:
This interview is recorded and conducted 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 that both Jerry and Jim Morrison coincidentally share, and concludes in Elektra's studio with a reading of Jim's poem The Death of Rock. The article is later published in the July 26th issue of iconic rock magazine Rolling Stone, and features Jim Morrison on the cover. A portion of the Rolling Stone interview is also published in the first issue of Andy Warhol's InterVIEW magazine.
LARRY MAHONEY
Publication: The Miami Herald / AP
Issue: May 18th - 1969
Interview Date: Various - Early-Mid 1969
Publish Date: May 18th - 1969 (Miami Herald)
Interview Location: Various Locations
Info:
Larry Mahoney, a reporter for the Miami Herald publishes a lengthy biographical article in May of 1969 in a supplement of the Herald known as The Tropic. The article covers Jim Morrison's life leading up to the formation of The Doors and most recently the Miami performance. It is stated in the article that Larry was born in the same town as Jim Morrison's father, who is profiled in the article, and that Larry was a contemporary of Jim at FSU. This is a rare instance of an interview article where quotes from Jim Morrison's film school teacher Dr. Werner Vaught, who has suffered a stroke and has a speech impairment (his wife Erika provides his memories of Jim Morrison for him), Jim Morrison's mother, Clara Morrison, The Doors secretary Ginny, and Jim Morrison himself are included. Also featured are a photo of Admiral Morrison and a high school photo of Jim provided by Clara Morrison. Many aspects of the Miami performance are written about, including the happenings backstage in which Larry was in attendance, the fact that a nephew of Jim's was in the audience, the decency rally and its TV and newspaper coverage, and Admiral Morrison's refusal to comment on the performance. The interview with Jim Morrison takes place at The Doors office where Larry is greeted by The Doors secretary Ginny, who warns him prior to Jim's arrival that questions about Miami are not to be asked, and should Jim be tempted to talk about it, the interview will be terminated. The interview is later published in newspapers around the U.S., including the Boston Globe.
See the links below to download the complete six page article from the Boston Globe!
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HIGH-RES DOWNLOAD:Larry Mahoney Interview PDF (78.0 MB)  Larry Mahoney Interview ZIP (7.68 MB)  |
JAMES SPURLOCK
Publication: Chicago Daily News
Issue: June 16th - 1969
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.
CARLOS BACA
Publication: Mexico Canta
Issue: October 1969
Interview Date: June 27th - 1969
Publish Date: October - 1969
Interview Location: Backstage Chicago Auditorium Theatre - Chicago, IL
Info:
This interview with Ray, Robby and John takes place at the Mexico International Airport by Carlos Baca upon The Doors arrival for the performances at The Forum. After being received at the airport, The Doors take a seat at the airport lounge and allow the local press to ask questions. Ray Manzarek explains to the interviewer that Jim Morrison has already arrived in Mexico prior. Carlos Baca recorded this interview and has confirmed that the tape is lost.
JOSE G. CRUZ AYALA
Publication: POP
Issue: August 10th - 1969
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - June 1969
Publish Date: August 10th - 1969
Interview Location: Unknown - Mexico City, MX
Info:
While The Doors are in Mexico City for a string of performances at The Forum, journalists from Mexican magazine POP are given the opportunity to interview Robby Krieger and John Densmore at an unknown location during their tenure in the city. Asking questions to the band members are Víctor Blanco Labra, Parménides García Saldaña, and Jose G. Cruz Ayala who is operating a handheld cassette tape recorder for the interview. The Doors are asked about drug use, prior education, and if they've ever heard of the rock group Los Locos.
JERRY HOPKINS
Publication: Other Scenes
Issue: August 1st-14th 1969 - Vol. 3 No. 10
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Early July 1969
Publish Date: August 1st-14th - 1969
Interview Location: Various Locations - Los Angeles, CA
Info:
Around July 10th of 1969, journalist Jerry Hopkins is in the company of Ray Manzarek and friends, and an article featuring quotes by Ray is published in the August 1st-14th issue of Other Scenes. The entourage attempts and fails to get service in bars in L.A., and the group end up in Jerry Hopkins living room talking until the early hours of the morning. Ray gives Jerry his opinion on the state of the Cinematheque 16 theater and the attempts by law enforcement to suppress the movie venue. The exact date of this interview is unknown, however the article is completed with a mention Jim Morrison's film HWY, and The Doors winning of the Atlanta International Film Festival with Feast Of Friends.
ED LEIMBACHER
Publication: Portland New Times Journal
Issue: Vol. 1 No. 4
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 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 during this interview, and although the event is recorded, the tape is now lost.
HANK ZEVALLOS
Publication: Poppin
Issue: Vol. 1 No. 5
Interview Date: July 31st - 1969
Publish Date: September 1969
Interview Location: The Doors Office - Los Angeles, CA
Info:
A portion of the complete interview with Jim Morrison is published in the September 1969 issue of Poppin magazine. Hank Zevallos previously attended The Doors first of two shows at the Aquarius Theater, and later an after-party at Martoni's thrown by Elektra to celebrate the completion of what was intended to be their live album. Hank is then prompted to book an interview with Jim a week later at the Seattle Pop Festival, but ultimately reschedules for July 31st in Los Angeles. The published portion of this interview discusses the Aquarius Theater performances and Jim's thoughts on the Living Theater. He also mentions that he wouldn't mind trying some acting.
JACK BATTEN
Publication: Toronto Star
Issue: September 13th - 1969
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. Jim is exhausted after an all-night mixing session for the soundtrack of HWY. The article is published on the day of The Doors performance in Toronto, September 13th.
"I was a freelance writer when I did the Jim Morrison piece for the Star,
and I still am today. The Star asked me to go to Los Angeles to interview Morrison in
advance of the festival, and since they were paying the expenses and not a bad fee, I agreed.
I flew in late one afternoon, did the interview the following afternoon and flew home that night.
I didn't use a tape recorder in those days (hardly any journalist did) and I didn't save the notes I
made during the interview.
Leon wasn't a constant
presence during the interview. I had a coffee with him before the interview at a cafe across
the street, then he introduced me to JM, and after that, he was in and out of the
office. I can't remember how long I had with Jim,
but I recall he was in no rush about anything. He took one phone call while I was in the office. It was with
a writer whose last name was McClure, if I remember correctly. Morrison was obliging, polite, good
company and I left thinking he was very good guy. He said the band would likely be having a party after the concert in Toronto and he'd
invite me to it. It would probably take place at the hotel where they were
staying, which, I'm almost certain, was the Four Seasons. It was only
a couple of blocks from the festival site at Varsity Stadium.
Then came the day of the festival. I believe it started at noon, scheduled to
go until The Doors finished it around midnight. I'm quite sure I was there
to write a review for The Star (I wouldn't have attended if I wasn't going
to earn some money). So there was Little Richard, Yoko and John, Alice Cooper and so on. It went through the afternoon in the hot sun, then into
the night. The press sat in a fenced-in section on the field right in front of
the bandstand. Alice Cooper threw a live chicken into the audience. But the
chicken didn't travel far, landing in the press section to general
pandemonium.
My wife was with me for the latter part of the concert, and about an hour before The
Doors came on, Morrison appeared with another guy at the side of the stage
to watch whatever act was performing. I got the impression he was just sizing up
things before he went on. He was dressed in jeans and a shirt, and nobody seemed to recognize him.
I pointed him out to my wife who urged me to speak to him about the party. I
was so tired by then that the last thing I wanted to do was go to a party, even if it
was with Jim Morrison. I never spoke to Morrison nor attended a party (if it even took place), two failures
that my wife--we're still married--mentions whenever the Morrison name comes up."
Jack Batten
Toronto, CA
Copyright © 2012 Jack Batten
A Special Thanks to Jack Batten for sharing his memories of the interview with MildEquator.com! For more information on the 'Toronto Rock n' Roll Revival' and to read Jack Batten's Toronto Star review, click Here.
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< Click To Read The Article! |
UNKNOWN INTERVIEWER
Publication: Cash Box
Issue: October 4th - 1969
Interview Date: Mid-September - 1969
Publish Date: October 4th - 1969
Interview Location: Elektra Offices - New York, NY
Info:
This attempted interview was possibly conducted by Marv Goodman for Cash Box magazine in mid-September 1969 during a rehearsal at Elektra Records offices in New York City. The Doors are in town working out new songs for what would become Morrison Hotel following their shows in Toronto and Montreal, Canada. Various quotes appear in the article as Jim Morrison comments on his mail, and the songwriters he admires the most. The Doors rehearse a yet to be released The Spy, and Jim Morrison reportedly sings a rendition of the Roy Rogers tune Happy Trails. There is a possibility this interview session was recorded and may have captured moments of the rehearsal.
MICHAEL CUSCUNA
Publication: Down Beat
Issue: Vol. 11 No. 37
Interview Date: September 19th - 1969
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 Arena in Philadelphia in 1969. The article is later published in the May 28th, 1970 edition of Down Beat Magazine, and includes a review of the show. During this interview, Michael is given a copy of Jim Morrison's private publication, The New Creatures, and photographer Susan Hyman is likely present.
> CLICK TO READ THIS INTERVIEW ON OUR PHILADELPHIA 1969 CONCERT INFO PAGE!
HANK ZEVALLOS
Publication: Poppin Magazine
Issue: No. 9
Interview Date: July 31st 1969 & December 17th 1969
Publish Date: March 1970
Interview Location: The Doors Office - Telephone Call > Los Angeles, CA - Vancouver, Canada
Info:
In this issue of Poppin magazine, Hank Zevallos publishes an extensive portion of his July 31st 1969 interview with Jim Morrison at The Doors office. Along with the July interview, a new segment from December 17th, 1969 is included. Subjects from the first interview include the Aquarius Theatre performances, recording a live album, Feast of Friends & HWY. In the December interview, Jim discusses the upcoming Felt Forum performances, HWY, the new album, and future touring plans including the idea to perform in Australia. There is a possibility that both of these interview sessions were recorded.
