The Doors

[Busker]

Of all the old film footage I've seen, I've never seen a bassist with them (after Morrison was gone, I think they found a bassist then). But mostly, it was Manzarek playing the bottom on the keyboards, right? Why no bassist?

[BassMan250]

From what I've read, they simply didn't want to bring in a bassist, possibly because their personalities were already in such conflict that they thought another musician would make the band's relationships even more chaotic. Manzarek used a keyboard bass for awhile, but they had a session bassist for Morrison Hotel and albums after that. I guess Manzarek's left hand simply wasn't doing it after awhile.

BTW The Doors broke up after Morrison died, he was the Doors- their inspiration, their frontman, their lyricist. They would have gone nowhere without him, they were good musicians but not inspired.

[Busker]

Broke up? At some point after he died, yes, but not right away, evidently.

I have some footage of the Doors, must be from '71 or so. Morrision isn't with them, so I assume he had already died. Manzarek is handling the vocals, and they had a bassist.

I'll watch it again, just to be sure. But I know Morrison wasn't with them.

[johnvice]

I’m not a huge fan of The Doors but I did read a biography on them years ago. I recall that the rationale for no bass player was to avoid the Rolling Stones’ sound. In the studio they used a session bassists, Jerry Scheff who remarked that the Doors had asked him to join the band but that was kyboshed with Jim’s death.

As an interesting bit of bass trivia, Jerry joined Elvis Presley’s band. That gig was also kyboshed when the singer died.

Jerry’s son, Jason is the bassist for the rock band Chicago (making me wonder if bass playing is genetically inherited )

[Busker]

Yes, I just watched it again. I have this compilation DVD called Rockin' in the USA, with maybe 20 or 24 different American artists & bands, each doing one song, from Beat Club performances, circa 1969 to 1971. The Doors are on it doing a song called Tightrope Ride. They were not at their best though, that's for sure. Manzarek, Krieger, and the drummer (can't remember his name) are there, along with a second guitarist, and a bassist. No Jim Morrison though. As I said, Manzarek on vocals.

[Busker]

Originally Posted by johnvice

I’m not a huge fan of The Doors but I did read a biography on them years ago. I recall that the rationale for no bass player was to avoid the Rolling Stones’ sound. In the studio they used a session bassists, Jerry Scheff who remarked that the Doors had asked him to join the band but that was kyboshed with Jim’s death.

As an interesting bit of bass trivia, Jerry joined Elvis Presley’s band. That gig was also kyboshed when the singer died.

Jerry’s son, Jason is the bassist for the rock band Chicago (making me wonder if bass playing is genetically inherited )

Hmmm.. To avoid the Rolling Stones sound. Never heard that one. They wouldn't have sounded like the Stones if they had Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman, so I don't get that.

[bassist15]

I was a huge doors fan a couple years ago when I was about 13. I read a bunch of books. Im not saying Im an expert but I do know some info. The Doors originally really wanted a bassist but as a poster before me said they kept sounding like the Stones so they went with MAnzerek playing bass keys. He said it allowed the members to really connect better. Manzerek to the drummer and Krieger the guitarist had to play alot of lowerend guitar parts. They had a session bassist on every album. They would have the bass guitar and bass keyboard doubled on the recordings. Doug Lubahn was probably the most frequent studio bassist they used . He was offered the gig a few times but turned it down. After Morrison died the Doors released a few more albums. They had more of a jazz sound to them becasue thats what the three remaining members were big fans of . I did read a book that said they went to London to try and find a new vocalist. These included Paul McCartney and Joe Cocker . There was one singer who's name escapes me , that was really close to getting the job but The doors decided not to play together anymore.

[Busker]

I liked some of their songs a lot, but some of their live footage sounded a little "thin" to me. That's the best word I can think of. Not enough bottom maybe.

[BillyB_from_LZ]

At Lakland's 10th Anniversary concert, I saw Jerry Scheff perform Riders On The Storm...it was magic, true magic!!!

[davetakis]

the doors released 2 albums after morrison died. FULL CIRCLE & OTHER VOICES. not very good. actually jerry scheff played bass on LA WOMAN.

[pretaanluxis]

Originally Posted by Busker

I liked some of their songs a lot, but some of their live footage sounded a little "thin" to me. That's the best word I can think of. Not enough bottom maybe.

I agree. They should have taken Doug Lubahn on tour, he had some tasty lines!