“A Tribute in Motion” is an ongoing celebration of
the life, death and
poetry
of James Douglas Morrison (1943-1971).
His ambition was to write, and his idols were Rimbaud,
Blake, Keats, Nietzsche
and Kerouac. He's remembered best as lead singer of the
1960's band, "The Doors."
Morrison (left) moved to Paris, in March 1971, to
concentrate on writing, away from the distractions of
celebrity, but died 3 July. The official cause of his death
is "heart attack." He often said he was number three, after
Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin.
On the anniversary of his death, people from all over the
world come to the grave site of Jim Morrison, in
Père-Lachaise Cemetery, in the eastern section of Paris,
France. Fittingly, members of "The Doors" community gather
to recite the poetry of Morrison. Mostly they honour Jim,
his work and his legacy.
Click
here to see
the poster for the 2007 "Tribute in Motion."
Update: 4 July 2007
In the week leading up to the anniversary of the death of
Jim Morrison death, on the July 3rd 1971, I visited many of
his former haunts in Paris and the surrounding area. I tried
to visit as many as possible on the same day he visited.
These locations are mostly bars, hotels and restaurants,
su
ch as Auberge de L'Oise (right), but also places he used
to go to write, such as the Quai D’Anjou
on Ile St. Louis, Sacre Coeur, overlooking Paris, and
excursions out of the city, such as to Hotel L’Oise in St. Leu
D’Esserent. It's been cool, in Paris, for this time of year.
This is fitting as I, and those who flock to his grave
during this time, try to unravel the mystery of one of the
most charismatic figures in rock 'n 'roll history: less
reason to sweat it.
Those who've visited the Morrison
grave, in Pere Lachaise Cemetery, will agree the ambiance is
peaceful. The cemetery is heavily guarded, with barricades
everywhere. The grave is thickly covered; flowers,
condoms, whiskey and beer bottles, acid sheets, joints and
cigarettes litter the immediate area. Still, the feeling is
one of contentment rather than anxiety.
A security guard at the cemetery told
me the Morrison grave is the fourth most visited monument in
Paris. Given the number of “must see locations,” I found
this quite impressive. Though the cemetery contains the
tombs of many figures of historical importance, such as
Proust, Chopin, Wilde, Delacroix, Balzac, Comte and Sarah
Bernhardt, among others, the grave everyone wants to see is
Jim Morrison.
At the grave, ‘fans’ read him poetry, leave a picture or note, drink a beer or smoke a joint. Since the grave was washed of its graffiti and barriers were installed, there's little tolerance, by security, for Morrison fans. Many people, at the grave, note the irony of the situation. In life, Jim Morrison defied the police and figures of authority. In death, he's surrounded authority and much of the same controversy.
Paris locations associated with Morrison include the "Rock 'n' Roll Circus," on Rue de Seine; his apartment on Rue Beautrellis, and "L’ Hotel," on Rue des Beaux Arts, where Morrison and Pamela Courson, his partner, stayed stayed in the same room where Oscar Wilde died. An intoxicated Morrison tumbled out the second story window. At "L' Hotel," the feeling is not peaceful, but eerie, and tragic, but inescapably compelling. You find you can't explain why you are drawn to these locations, but similarly, you can't adequately explain the draw of Morrison.
Why is Jim Morrison so compelling? Handsome, young rock 'n' roll stars are a dime a dozen, and not so to speak. Is there a longing for his wild, disinhibited stage antics? Is it that he's called the Dionysius of Rock ’n’ Roll? Is it his savage appeal in conflict with his keen sensitivity and brilliance? Is it merely puzzling about his death?
Morrison flourishes in good company,
Marilyn, Diana and Elvis. Each offers much more than a
superficial once-over suggests. Hopefully, more will be
revealed next week. Next up-date is on the ‘Feast of
Friends’ gathering!
Events: 3-4 July 2007
To commemorate the 36th anniversary of the death of James Douglas Morrison, we celebrate his life, work and legacy: "A Tribute in Motion."
"Riders on the Storm," featuring "The
Doors" members, Ray Manzerak and Robby Krieger, play "Le
Grand Rex" on 3 July at 7:30pm.
Addendum
Click
here and
here to read two
additional postings on the iconic status of Jim Morrison.
Click here
for more about the Morrison burial location and with whom he
shares the space.