"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:

ROBERT HILBURN

Publication: Los Angeles Times
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Late October 1971
Publish Date: October 26th - 1971
Interview Location: The Doors Office - Los Angeles, CA

Info:
In what is their first known published interview since the death of Jim Morrison, John Densmore speaks to Robert Hilburn of the Los Angeles Times in The Doors office and rehearsal space in Hollywood. Their new album Other Voices is released on October 18th, and John discusses what has happened to the band since the death of Jim, and what their new direction will be going forward. Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger are present in the studio during the time of this interview and contribute their insights and memories, but are not quoted in the finished article. This interview is likely not recorded.

CHRIS VAN NESS

Publication: The Los Angeles Free Press
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Early November 1971
Publish Date: November 26th - 1971
Interview Location: Los Angeles, CA

Info:
During what appears to have been a day or two in early November 1971 to talk members of the press across the country and in Los Angeles, The Doors speak to Chris Van Ness of The Los Angeles Free Press for what will become a lengthier article published on November 26th. The Doors explain that after Jim Morrison leaves for Paris, the direction of The Doors had been uncertain, even including the question of whether or not the band will continue to use The Doors for a name. They are also asked when their new album was recorded, and they tell the interviewer July, August, and September. Other questions about the new album and direction of the band are answered willingly including the idea of trying a new singer altogether. No recordings of this interview are known to exist, however there is a good possibility this interview is taped.

HOLLY SPENCE

Publication: Lincoln Journal Star
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Early November 1971
Publish Date: November 10th - 1971
Interview Location: Phone Call > - Los Angeles, CA

Info:
Prior to their first performance following the death of Jim Morrison in 1971, The Doors are interviewed over the phone by Holly Spence for the Lincoln Journal Star in anticipation of their scheduled concert there on November 12th. The Doors tell the interviewer they have something for everyone, and have done a lot of soul searching since the passing of Jim Morrison. They also tell explain their new direction and what their intentions are for live concerts. No recordings are known of this phone call with The Doors.

JIM GILLESPIE

Publication: Minneapolis Star
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Early November 1971
Publish Date: November 11th - 1971
Interview Location: Phone Call > - Los Angeles, CA

Info:
The Doors are interviewed over the phone by Jim Gillespie for the Minneapolis Star in anticipation of their upcoming performance at Augsburgh College on November 13th. This interview takes place in a string of press calls in early November scheduled by The Doors to talk about their latest album and highly anticipated live shows. Click HERE to read this interview on our Minneapolis 1971 concert info page!

JONATHAN TAKIFF

Publication: Philadelphia Daily News
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Early 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!

PAULA GARVIN

Publication: ROCK
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Early November 1971
Publish Date: December 20th - 1971
Interview Location: The Doors Office - Hollywood, CA

Info:
The Doors are interviewed at their office by Paula Garvin of ROCK magazine. With manager Bill Siddons present, Ray, Robby, and John discuss recording Other Voices and what it's like to no longer have Jim Morrison for a lead singer. The band also discusses Down On The Farm and explains that the song was played for Jim during the L.A. Woman sessions but he did not want to sing it. Ray talks about the high price of concert tickets and his hope for a change in their audiences. After its initial publication in the December 20th 1971 issue of ROCK, a Spanish version of the magazine prints the interview one more time in 1972.

JACOBA ATLAS

Publication: Circus
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Early November 1971
Publish Date: January - 1972
Interview Location: The Doors Office - Hollywood, CA

Info:
Jacoba Atlas of Circus magazine interviews The Doors in early November 1971 and writes an article titled The Doors: Amputated But Alive. Ray talks about Rick and The Ravens and taking criticism in The Doors. John Densmore talks about Jim Morrison. The article goes on to provide details from the band members about the recording process of Other Voices and re-signing with Elektra. No recordings of this interview are known to exist.

RITCHIE YORKE

Publication: Various
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Early November 1971
Publish Date: March 5th - 1972
Interview Location: The Doors Office - Los Angeles, CA

Info:
Gannett special writer Ritchie Yorke interviews The Doors at their office in Los Angeles. The band describes their reaction to the recent passing of Jim Morrison and their newfound desire to continue playing music. Other Voices has recently been completed, and the band is ready to tour. The Miami incident is discussed, including Jim Morrison's ambition to write a book about the trial. This interview article is seemingly not published until March 1972.

JIM SMITH

Publication: The Hamilton Spectator
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Mid-November 1971
Publish Date: November 20th - 1971
Interview Location: Toronto, ON

Info:
Following The Doors performance in Toronto on November 14th, Canadian journalist Jim Smith of the Hamilton Spectator is given an interview with Ray Manzarek during a layover after the cancellation of The Doors scheduled performance in Ottawa on November 17th. Ray goes into depth about the band's new direction, their original goals when first starting out, and many other aspects of the new dynamic of the band and their new album without Jim Morrison. This interview is likely recorded.

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.

HENRY EDWARDS

Publication: Crawdaddy
Interview Date: November 22nd - 1971
Publish Date: January 20th - 1972
Interview Location: Elektra Records - New York, NY

Info:
The Doors sit down for a comprehensive interview with Crawdaddy journalist Henry Edwards in the Elektra Records conference room the night before their performance at Carnegie Hall set for November 23rd. Henry provides the reader with memories of The Doors on a 1967 WNEW-FM radio interview, their performances at the Felt Forum in 1970, and the subsequent reception for the band at the Hilton Hotel. The Doors discuss their past audiences, drugs and booze, Jim Morrison, the Miami incident and much more. There is a strong possibility that this interview was recorded.