On the shores of Lake Erie, in Cleveland Ohio stands The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Designed by architect I.M. Pei (a native of Canton China born in 1917) and built in 1988. At first glance a person might think this building was the work of a committee rather than a single mind. The structure is a mixture of glass pyramids, cylinder and square towers. It is an immense building, that glimmers of chrome and steel.
Approaching from the outside several Austin Mini Coopers can be seen suspended from the ceiling. On the ground floor is Janis Joplin's Porsche, restored to it's former condition as she had it. Would not Jim's Mustang look great in there as well? But just as the Mustang is missing, so is a display commemorating The Doors, inducted into the hall in 1993. Ray's organ, John's Drums, Robby's guitar, Jim's microphone are not part of the museum. A DJ once announced: "Ladies and Gentleman, Jim Morrison and The Doors." The story has been told over and over how Jim sent him back to do it right. "The name of the band is The Doors..." Said Jim. This came to mind as I viewed the elegant display cases over which was painted on the wall: Jim Morrison.
My story begins on what would have been Jim's fifty-ninth birthday when I get an email from ScorpyWag reader, Judy Rheinhardt of Shaker Heights, Ohio. Judy is a Doors fan and Supporting Member of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She has many questions about LA and my story 3 Days@ Jim's Joint. Over time we correspond and she invites me to visit Cleveland and the RRHOF. Cleveland is depending on who you might ask either the jewel Of The North Coast or alternately The Mistake On The Lake. What's not in dispute however is Cleveland's place in Rock history. Actually the term "Rock And Roll" was coined here in Cleveland by Disc Jockey Allen Freed in 1952 on his Moondog radio show on WJW. His audience was nationwide as he played the black rhythm and blues artists. Teenagers from around the country tuned in and the rest his history. Cleveland also hosted what can be considered the first rock concert ever when Freed hosted his Moondog Coronation Ball on March 21st,1952. The show was held at the Cleveland Arena which held 10,000. For some reason 20,000 tickets were sold and thousands had to be turned away. Thousands more didn't leave and the first rock concert produced the first riot. Doors and windows were broken police and fire departments called and the show shut down after the first song. Cleveland is the rock and roll capital, Ian Hunter knows it and so do all the little chicks with their crimson lips. What do they know that you don't? They know Cleveland rocks!
Using a combination of trains, planes and automobiles I arrive in Cleveland and meet up with Judy and have a bite to eat. That's where Judy gives me the sad news. " Sorry to be the one to have to tell you" she says. "What do you mean there is no Doors exhibit?" I ask. I mean even my elderly mother knows the Doors were inducted into the RRHOF in 1993 alongside Jim's long lost cousin Van Morrison. We made our way to the museum and we were admitted. No photography is allowed there and I wished for a small spy camera. The museum is laid out somewhat in chronological order, starting with the early roots of Rock and Roll. There is tons of great stuff there let me tell you. Cases and cases devoted to about every great band and performer you can name. There is an ongoing film exhibit to Jimi Hendrix. The entire top floor is completely filled with items of the late John Lennon.
Judy is telling me to take it slow and as we enter the maze like labyrinth of displays. I pay only vague attention to things like Buddy Holly's display and the stuff playing on the television monitors. There are displays dedicated to the San Francisco and LA sounds. As I stare at Michelle Phillips cowboy boots I realize the powers that be think The Doors don't deserve a mention here. Just past the displays of dressed mannequins of rock star clothing there is the Jimi Hendrix "experience," a music theater show. Once I get to the Rush drum set I know I have gone too far. Back tracking a bit I find the three cases devoted to Jim. Under the watchful gaze of a museum staffer I begin to write and write on a tablet the words and items contained in the cases. There are a couple paintings by Jim (I feel they are much later works than they are described to be) as well as some prints of concert posters.
Here is the meat of it:
$95.00 - cost of JDM's birth 10 days at Brevard Hospital
Baptized January 30, 1944 in Melbourne Florida, Station Chapel, US Navel Air Station by Howard V. Sartell
History of 6th grade class. San Diego School 6/15/1955
Cub Scout San Diego Troop 17
Notes from teacher:
"Trouble controlling his exuberance. Jim has continued to maintain the standards expected of him -1953
"With exception of handwriting his has simply talked himself into the grades below his expectations."
THE PONY EXPRESS 5-21-1954
The pony express carried the mail
Over hill, over dale.
Over rough rugged trails
And the brave men that carried it
Didn't complain,
For they new they were helping their good country's name
They rode and rode through
Strong winds and rain just
To carry the mail and build
Up our name
Over Indian country and great sandy plains,
They carried the mail and shared our fame.
(Letter to his Father from probation department)
9-24-1970
Florida Probation and Parole Commission
District Office
Admiral George Morrison,
I am presently conducting a pre-sentence investigation on your son. As you are probably aware, Jim has been found guilty of indecent exposure and profanity in Dade County.
Jim tells me that it has been 2 or 3 years since he last had any contact with you. I would very much appreciate any comments that you would care to make regarding your son's behavior and his present situation to include in my investigation.
The sentence date has been set for Oct. 30, 1970.
Thank you very much,
Robert Disher
His reply:
Thank you for your letter of September 30. I appreciate this opportunity to comment on my son Jim.
I saw him last about 5 years ago during his senior year at UCLA. He was successfully completing his fourth year of college. As in all his academic work through grade school, high school, and college, he was an excellent student. While he had always been an intellectual rebel, he had always obeyed and respected authority. In 1965 I began a two-year assignment in England. Although I invited him to join us in London after graduating, he declined to start his own career. Since that time he has been completely independent of me financially and in every other way.
We have very little contact with him since that time due partly to the physical separation and partly because of some criticism from me.
While in London, I was called by an old friend in California who had been approached by Jim for a loan to finance his first record. Concerned by his appearance, particularly his long hair, the friend called me. I, in turn, wrote Jim a letter severely criticizing his behavior and strongly advised him to give up any idea of singing or any connection with a music group because of what I considered to be a complete lack of talent in this direction. His reluctance to communicate with me again is to me quite understandable.
Since returning to the United States I have on several occasions made an effort to contact him. In time I was successful in talking with him by telephone. Our conversation was quite pleasant and I congratulated him on his first gold album, but nothing of consequence was discussed. We have had no direct contact since that time.
However, while we all lived in California in 1969, Jim's younger brother and sister visited with him frequently and got along famously as they always did during their childhood days at home. Also an old friend of ours had dinner with Jim in LA several months ago and reported to us that he was the 'same ol' Jim'.
I have followed his career with a mixture of amazement and in the case of Miami, great concern and sorrow. While I obviously am not a judge of modern music, I view his success with pride. Based on my knowledge of Jim through his twenty first year, I firmly believe that his performance in Miami was a grave mistake and not in character. I will always follow his progress with the greatest of interest and concern and stand ready to assist him in any way, should he ask.
Thank you again for this opportunity to affirm my conviction that Jim is fundamentally a respectable citizen.
Very truly yours,
G.S.Morrison, Rear Admiral USN
1327 south Globe Road
Arlington, Virginia 22204
Display left to right
First case:
Baby album 1941 showing his footprints and palm prints dated 8-10-1943
Described him as:
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
Complexion: fair
Brows: to light
Shape of head: first day, like an Idaho potato
Birth Marks: None
2. State Board of Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics
Certificate of filing of birth certificate
3. Clare's hospital bill. Baby Boy Morrison 95.00 12-7 through 12-17. $7.00 per day Circumcision 10.00 Layette 5.00 Paid in full 12-13-43
Homemade Christmas card 1950.
A COOL YULE you better get me something
And A FRANTIC FIRST
TO POP & MOM
This is all I could afford
Second case
1 Card for his father 1948
2. Drawing dated 1953
3. 6th grade graduation program at Longfellow School
Cub scout shirt
Ink drawing 1954
Poster - Break on Through at Avon Ballroom with Country Joe and the Fish 1967
Poster- Folk rock festival 5-18-1968 with Jefferson Airplane
4-13-68 Santa Rosa Fair
July 25 at the Cow Palace- The Doors with Lonnie Mack and Elvin Bishop
(tickets were 6.50 5.50 4.50 and 3.50)
Sixth grade picture - Jim is in the second row, second from the right.
Elementary Pupil Growth Report
Grade Cards - 1955
Tenth grade 1959 - grade cards from individual classes
English, Social Studies, Phys Ed, Spanish I, English 5, Algebra 3,
Third case
Poem Pony Express
Boy Scout badges and troop
Picture of him seated on a plane with his father.
11th grade report cards
Address:
2634 Arnott St
San Diego, 17, CA
High School Graduation Picture and Diploma 1961
George Washington High School
Alexandria Virginia
Letter to Admiral Morrison from the Florida Probation and Parole office 1970
Press release of his death - 1971
Letter to Admiral Morrison from the US Embassy 1971
Reporting the death of an American Citizen 1971
Last will and testament which is the last item in the last case.
So that was it. No Densmore Ludwigs,no Kreiger Gibson,no Manzarek Fender Rhodes keyboard. Nothing,nada,zip. After all of this let down it was time for a drink. Adjacent to the gift shop we find the bar and settle into cold beers and stare at the lake. It's there we notice we are about the youngest people there. The majority of people willing to pony up the $17 admission are in their late 50s or early 60s. I button hole a senior staffer on the way out and ask why there is no Doors display? In as few words as possible the woman tells me that all the items in the museum are donated by the artists and that The Doors did not give them anything. She went on to add that Jim's family had been very gracious in donating what they had.
Despite what I feel is a clear oversight I do feel the museum is a very worthwhile trip. On the second floor is listening Kiosks that have every song by every artist inducted to the hall thus far. I was surprised that they had many versions of the same Doors tunes. I do hope in the future there will be more items from the band you love to hate. After exiting the building we stood against the glass taking a last look at Janis' Porsche, as we turned to leave I thought I could hear Janis' trademark cackle.
mj
