This is a popular show from our archives. We are re-dropping it because on this week in 1971 (on July 3) Jim Morrison was found dead in mysterious circumstances. As a tribute to Morrison and given that it is July 4th week, we are re-broadcasting the story of one of the most influential American bands in history.

You will taken from the mid-1960s through the early ‘70s Los Angeles, when a band would emerge that changed all of the rules of music. Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined joins us to tell the mesmerizing story of a band fronted by an electrifying, handsome poet named Jim Morrison. The Doors relentlessly challenged, confronted and inspired fans with their provocative songs and performances. In this episode you'll learn:

1) About a shocking highway incident that changed the lead singer forever
2) The strange origins of how The Doors formed in Venice, California
3) The incredible secret that nobody knew about the Vietnam War and Jim Morrison
4) Why The Doors were banned from radio and concert appearances in several US states
5) The reasons for the arrest of a key member of the band during various concert performances
6) How the band played a key role in the punk music movement

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Guest Bio
Jim Cherry is the author of The Doors Examined and was formally a columnist for the Rants, Raves and Rock and Roll Magazine radio show. He is also a novelist, having written several novels, short stories and poems.

While other 1960's bands warbled on about peace and love, The Doors explored the dark side of human nature with songs like People are Strange, The End, LA Woman, and Strange Days. They also possessed one of the most electrifying figures in rock history, Jim Morrison, their lead singer who was an incredibly well-read individual, and also a poet. Morrison possessed an intoxicating blend of charisma, good looks and a curiosity for the dark side of life that combined with the band's mesmerizing music, often forcing audiences to straddle that fine balance between jubilation and mayhem. Accordingly, Morrison became the very embodiment of 1960's rebellion.

The Doors have sold over 100 million albums worldwide, and have been the inspiration for many bands that followed in various genres like alternative rock and punk.