Venue Address: 18 Willow St. - Annapolis, MD 
Promotion: WYRE
Event: In Person
Also Performing:
The Persuaders
Battle Of The Bands (Unknown Date)
The Britons
The Deadbeats
Gross National Product
Norman's Norts
The Telstars
The Timesmen
The Tokens
Setlist:
House Announcer (Frank Ferreri)
When The Music's Over
Light My Fire
(Incomplete)
Recordings / Film:
Unavailable
Photographers:
Unavailable
Reviews / Info:
-This performance is advertised by WYRE radio.
-This is the first of two shows given on this date.
-The Doors give an interview to DJ Wayne Gracey of WYRE radio on the air earlier in the day.
-A battle of the bands possibly takes place prior to the show.
-7:30pm scheduled start time.
-The Persuaders anger Jim Morrison by performing Light My Fire during their opening act.
-Jim Morrison is displeased when DJ Frank Ferreri informs him that the promoter's insist on the show starting at the scheduled time.
-While packing up gear, John Densmore discovers that pieces of his drumkit have been stolen.
-The Doors travel to Virginia to perform at the Alexandria Roller Rink Arena following this show.
THE PERSUADERS OPEN THE DOORS
"As the lead singer/rhythm guitar player of The Persuaders, I can attest that literally everything in the reporting is factual. I hadn't thought about this stuff in quite a while. After all, it did happen a long time ago -- in a galaxy far, far away.
We had an ongoing professional relationship with Frank Ferreri (Ron Rondo), DJ and Program Manager at WYRE radio station in Annapolis, MD. WYRE was the promoter for frequent shows at the Annapolis National Guard Armory in the 1966-1968 period. Frank was a key individual in these promotions in terms of interfacing with and managing the talent for these shows. As a result of our relationship (and, I'm assuming we were apparently popular enough to draw a crowd...) we were the opening act for a number WYRE-promoted shows acts booked at the Armory. During the 1966-1969 period, we opened for: The Yardbirds (Jeff Beck period), Neil Diamond, The Doors (you know about that one...), Gary Puckett and The Union Gap, The Buckinghams, Tommy Roe, The Kingsmen, and The Ohio Express. We also did a local TV show with Franki Valli and The Four Seasons, but that's another story.
My recollection of that night is that Jim Morrison acted strangely from the get-go and became increasingly "unstable" as the event wore on. Ray Manzarek was a complete gentleman and "ran interference" around Morrison. Don't remember the other band members. Now, hindsight being 20/20, including "Light My Fire" in our opening setlist was perhaps not the brightest decision we ever made, but it was not intended maliciously. Morrison, however, went absolutely BALLISTIC. I recall Manzarek physically restraining him from striking our lead guitar player, Jerry Polk.
Unfortunately, I have no photos or recordings of The Doors show. We shared what served as a "dressing room" with The Doors. That's where we briefly had a pre-show meeting with Ferreri and The Doors. Morrison was uncommunicative with everyone, including his band members. As I alluded to before, Ray Manzarek was the opposite from that, and was friendly and engaging. We returned to the dressing room after we finished our opening set, and that's when the altercation with Morrison occurred. I'm a little fuzzy on the details after that, but it HAS been 58 years..."
Scott Babbitt
Peachtree City, GA
Copyright © 2026 Scott Babbitt
A Special Thanks to Scott Babbitt of The Persuaders for sharing his memories of the show with MildEquator.com!
ANNAPOLIS RADIO INTERVIEW BROADCAST
Broadcast Date: August 18th - 1967
Station ID: WYRE - 810AM
Programming: Unknown
Host: Wayne Gracey
Recording Date: August 18th - 1967
Recording Location: WYRE Studio - Annapolis, MD
Info:
While in town to perform at the Annapolis National Guard Armory on August 18th 1967, The Doors visit the WYRE radio studio to meet with fans and promote their music and concerts. Disc jockey Wayne Gracey is present in the studio and conducts an interview with the band on the air. The groups also attempts to convince the disc jockey to play The End. No recordings of this broadcast are known to exist.
ARCHIVE/MEMORABILIA:
REVIEW:
Newspaper: GO MagazineAuthor: Unknown
Publish Date: September 1st - 1967
Copyright © GO Magazine
Contributed By: MildEquator.com
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Contributed by: BTikellis
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