1971
DAN KNAPP
Publication: The Los Angeles Times
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - February 1971
Publish Date: July 25th - 1971
Interview Location: Various - Los Angeles, CA
Info:
Following Jim Morrison's death in July 1971, Dan Knapp publishes a full page special on Jim in the July 25th issue of the Los Angeles Times. He reflects on the events and conversations taking place in February at a sidewalk cafe near The Doors office, their recording space, and later the Little Club and Chateau Marmont. The article features numerous quotes from Jim Morrison who discusses the progress on the latest album, the future of the band, and his current living arrangements. The article also documents a fall taken by Jim from a rain gutter at the Chateau Marmont down to the roof of a shed below after consuming an excessive amount of alcohol and attempting a stunt.
> CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE TO READ THE ARTICLE!
BEN FONG-TORRES
Publication: Rolling Stone No. 77
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - February 1971
Publish Date: March 4th - 1971
Interview Location: 8216 Norton Ave. - Los Angeles, CA
Info:
This unintended interview with Jim Morrison by Ben Fong-Torres takes place at Diane Gardiner's apartment in February of 1971 during a chance encounter between Jim and Ben. Later, Ben publishes the piece in the March 4th, 1971 issue of Rolling Stone magazine under the heading "Jim Morrison's Got the Blues". In this interview, Jim discusses learning to scuba dive in Nassau, his film HWY, recording the L.A. Woman album, and partway through the interview, Pamela Courson joins the conversation. A tape recording of this interview is known to collectors.
ADAM DI PETTO
Publication: VariousInterview Date: Exact Date Unknown - February 1971
Publish Date: Various - May 1971
Interview Location: The Doors Office - Los Angeles, CA
Info:
In May 1971 the last known published quote from Jim Morrison appears in east coast newspapers by Q&A press man Adam Di Petto. Jim Morrison is in Europe at this time but gives a statement to The Doors office intern Danny Sugerman at an earlier date while still in the U.S. When asked by a reader if The Doors have split up, an answer is provided by Di Petto, and Jim Morrison says the following concerning the end of performances by The Doors:
"For me it was never really an act, those so-called performances. It was a life and death thing; an attempt to communicate, to involve many people in a private world of thought. I no longer feel I can best do this through music, through concerts. The belief isn't there."
KATHY ORLOFF
Publication: Chicago Sun-Times
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Late April 1971
Publish Date: May 8th - 1971
Interview Location: 8512 Santa Monica Blvd. - West Hollywood, CA
Info:
In late April of 1971 after Jim Morrison has already left for Paris, Kathy Orloff of the Chicago Sun-Times is invited to Elektra Sound Studios by Bill Siddons for a listening/interview session with The Doors about their new album, L.A. Woman. Bassist Jerry Scheff is also present, who at the present date has not heard the final mixes. Ray, Robby, and John are quoted extensively in the finished article, and Jerry Scheff also adds his input. The band discusses the formation and recording of the album, the instruments used, and what plans may be in place to tour the album. The article also indicates that there is no word on when Jim Morrison will return from Paris. This is the last known published interview with The Doors before Jim Morrison's death in July.
POST-MORRISON:
JONATHAN TAKIFF
Publication: Philadelphia Daily News
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - November 1971
Publish Date: November 19th - 1971
Interview Location: Phone Call > - Los Angeles, CA
Info:
In a phone call to California, Jonathan Takiff interviews Ray Manzarek for the Philadelphia Daily News. Ray discusses the bands future following L.A. Woman, the death of Jim Morrison, and returning to the studio to record Other Voices. This phone call may have been recorded. Click HERE to read the full interview on our Philadelphia 1971 concert info page!
JOHN WEISMAN
Publication: Detroit Free Press
Interview Date: November 20th - 1971
Publish Date: November 24th - 1971
Interview Location: Unknown Hotel - Detroit, MI
Info:
Both prior to, and after their performance at the Eastown Theatre, John Weisman of the Detroit Free Press interviews The Doors at their hotel room in Detroit. They discuss Jim Morrison and their new direction with music. Click HERE to read the full interview on our Detroit 1971 concert info page!
BOB NIRKIND
Publication: Phonograph Record Magazine
Interview Date: November 20th - 1971
Publish Date: April - 1972
Interview Location: Unknown Hotel - Detroit, MI
Info:
The Doors give a second interview in Detroit to Bob Nirkind of Phonograph Record Magazine. The band discusses what their future appeared to have held after L.A. Woman and Jim Morrison's leave for Paris, releasing outtakes from Absolutely Live! and a song they had worked on with Jim Morrison known as Happy For A Night And A Day, which they explain was one of the earliest songs Jim wrote but that it was never recorded because they could never get it down. This article is accompanied by photos of The Doors performing post-Morrison taken by Andy Kent, and Ray Manzarek is featured on the cover. A cut down version of the interview is later printed in the August 1972 issue of Hit Parader featuring photographs by Joel Brodsky taken at Carnegie Hall.
