Morrison Hotel Anniversary
On this day in 1970 the Doors released their iconic "Morrison Hotel" album. Let's take a deeper look!
We also remember the former Morrison Hotel in Dowtown L.A. which was severly damaged by a fire last December.
The cover
The iconic cover was shot by the one and only Henry Diltz. "This was a transient hotel in Downtown LA on Hope Street. The Doors didn’t have permission to take this picture, so when the lobby was empty, they ran in quickly and sat behind the window. One roll of film shot before we would get asked to leave," said Diltz.
Read more or purchase the photo: https://morrisonhotelgallery.com/collections/all/products/black-frame-day-the-doors-morrison-hotel-los-angeles-ca-1969
It was the band's highest-charting studio album in the United Kingdom (peaking at No. 12)
The album also reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200.
The album followed a tumultuous time for the band
Morrison was charged for indecent exposure causing most of the Doors' tour to be cancelled (with the band later abandoning the remaining dates) as well as their records to be blacklisted from radio play.
Jim's new image and "The Lizard King"
In early 1969, Morrison traded his leathers for more conventional attire for the stage. He also grew a beard and gained weight attempting to live down his "Lizard King" image. Unfortunately his continued alcoholism undermined his efforts and drunkenly caused a disturbance on a flight to Arizona. He was charged with a new skyjacking law that carried up to a $10,000 fine and a ten-year prison sentence.
The Soft Parade sessions
The sessions for "The Soft Parade" album, was the most expensive Doors project to date (costing $86,000 spanning over a nine month recording process).
Songs for other albums
The song 'Waiting for the Sun' originated during the sessions for the band's third album of the same name while 'Indian Summer', was first recorded on August 19, 1966 for "The Doors".
Special guests
Blues guitarist Lonnie Mack joined in on bass for the "Morrison Hotel" sessions. Former Lovin' Spoonful bandleader John Sebastian also joined in on harmonica. Sebastian was credited under the pseudonym G. Puglese due to the contraints of his Reprise Records recording contract.
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