In honor of #NationalPoetryMonth, check out this clip of me performing Jim’s poem “An American Prayer,” at the 2013 Bioneers Annual Conference. I think Jim’s prayer for America is pretty emblematic of what our country has been going through lately. Poetry is the rhythm of the soul, the space between the notes - just like in music, it’s where the magic happens. It’s another form of art that delivers a message. Watch the full video at the link in bio.
Trivia: Can anyone guess what this is?
Bringing myself some “Mantra” this Monday with some meditation. I first met Ray at a meditation class back in the mid-‘60s, when we were looking for a more sustainable way to expand our consciousness. Meditation is a way to open your mind - without the destruction some other methods bring. It brings inner peace, sharpens focus, and sets the right tone for the week. Do any of you meditate? Photo by Paul Ferrara. #MantraMonday
#Repost @thedoors Today is the day! STRANGE DAYS 1967: A WORK IN PROGRESS is now available at your favorite local independent record store for Record Store Day. An album of rough mixes from the album’s early 1967 sessions discovered after 58 years, this release presents STRANGE DAYS without the final overdubs heard on the original release. “It’s time once again, to visit 1967 during the recording of The Doors’ STRANGE DAYS album. These rough mixes are of the moment since they reflect exactly what and where we were at during the recording sessions.” -Doors engineer Bruce Botnick. This limited-edition LP is pressed on translucent blue vinyl. Find your nearest participating store at the link in bio.
Digging this cover of “Peace Frog” by @coolcats.officialmusic. ☮️ 🐸 While the music sounds great, it’s just as important that you’re having fun together as a band! Don’t forget to tag me in your covers! #DoorsCover
“Fifty Males Sitting Together” by Robert Bly. Robert embodied every emotion, often validating my own inner feelings. He used old fairy tales filled with all kinds of characters to highlight the diversity of our emotions. It was like listening to a symphony, where every sound evokes the full range of human experience. This 1980 poem speaks to youthful estrangement and the solace found in a gathering of men out in the woods. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Around this time in 2007, I attended the Hidden Beach Recordings Listening Party Hosted by Dr. Cornel West. Did you know that the doc and I both participated in the 2016 documentary, CHASING TRANE: THE JOHN COLTRANE DOCUMENTARY? I spoke about Coltrane’s influence on my drumming, while he explored the saxophonist’s impact on music and civil rights. Photos courtesy of Getty Images.
As an actor, Val’s channeling of Jim (Morrison) was so close, he gave me the creeps on the set of Oliver Stone’s biopic. He should have been nominated for an Oscar as Best Actor. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
#Repost @thedoors Experience The Doors in their full, unfiltered glory with LIVE IN BOSTON 1970 – the entire concert is now available on all streaming platforms for the first time ever. Recorded live at the Boston Arena on April 10, 1970, this powerhouse performance captures The Doors at their most unpredictable and electric, with two explosive sets delivered just hours apart. Featuring raw, Blues-drenched versions of fan favorites, this recording is a front-row seat to the band’s fearless energy and Morrison’s wild, magnetic presence. LIVE IN BOSTON 1970 is essential listening for any Doors fan. Turn it up and step into the chaos. Stream it now at the link in bio.
Honoring the legendary Muddy Waters on his birthday today. A pioneer of Chicago Blues, he played a key role in shaping electric Blues and influenced countless rock artists, including @thedoors and me. Muddy Waters was a mentor for Ray. He saw him sing many times in Chicago when Ray was a teenager. Ray turned me on to Muddy, and I still can’t get enough! Photo courtesy of Getty Images.