08 Dec 2022

On this day in 1943, James Douglas Morrison was born in Melbourne, Florida. He would grow up to become one of the most influential frontmen in rock music history, founding The Doors with Ray Manzarek in 1965 and recording a total of six studio albums with the band. 

A voracious reader from an early age, Morrison was particularly inspired by the writings of several philosophers and poets, including Nietzsche, Rimbaud, Burroughs, Kerouac, Ginsberg, and Kafka.

Morrison himself began writing during his adolescence. In his twenties, between 1969 and 1970, he self-published his poetry: The Lords / Notes on Vision and The New Creatures, (later combined into a single volume titled The Lords and The New Creatures) and An American Prayer. Morrison also recorded his poetry in sound studios, but these were the only written works published during Morrison's lifetime.

In a career that spanned less than a decade, their music has become widely regarded as some of the most influential of the twentieth century. Throughout it all, Morrison meticulously recorded his observations, poetry, song ideas and artwork in his notebooks, amassing a huge body of work that cements his legacy today.

In 1969, Rolling Stone magazine asked Jim Morrison, 'Do you see yourself going more towards print?' He answered: 'That's my greatest hope. That's always been my dream.'  

Opening up the Morrison vaults, a large-format main volume presents Jim Morrison's poetry, lyrics, essays and ideas, both typeset and in Morrison's own handwriting throughout. Illustrated with over a hundred rare photographs, drawings, and items of memorabilia, Morrison's commentary narrates the collection, sourced from archival interviews.

Exclusive, new text from his close friends and fellow musicians adds further insight. This signed and numbered, craftsman-bound edition is accompanied by spoken word recordings on a special 7" vinyl pressing, plus two actual-size reproduction notebooks, never-before-seen from the Jim Morrison archives.