A NIGHT TO REMEMBER...
IT WAS A NIGHT IN 1969...IT WAS THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE THAT I HAD EVER SET FOOT ON CALIFORNIA SOIL. THE GW WERE IN LOS ANGELES, I BELIEVE, TO APPEAR ON AMERICAN BANDSTAND. WE HAD ALREADY HAD "THESE EYES" AND I THINK "LAUGHING / UNDUN" HAD BEEN RELEASED, BUT THE DATES ARE A BIT FUZZY.
WE CAME INTO TOWN FROM THE AIRPORT AND CHECKED IN TO THE TRAVEL LODGE ON SUNSET, RIGHT NEAR LA BREA, AT ABOUT NINE IN THE EVENING. I HAD NEVER SEEN L.A. BEFORE. I WAS ENTHRALLED...
I WANTED TO GO OUT SIGHT SEEING, BUT THE OTHER THREE GUYS WERE JUST NOT INTERESTED.
SINCE BEING A SMALL KID IN THE NORTH END OF WINNIPEG, I HAD BEEN A HUGE FAN OF "77 SUNSET STRIP". SAW EVERY SINGLE EPISODE. ONE OF MY HEROES HAD BEEN EDD "KOOKIE" BYRNES. HE PARKED THE CARS AT DINO'S LOUNGE ON SUNSET. THAT WAS THE FIRST THING I WANTED TO SEE.
SO I LEFT THE HOTEL ALONE AND WALKED WEST ON SUNSET, TOWARD THE OCEAN. IT'S A PRETTY FAIR HIKE FROM LA BREA TO WHERE DINO'S USED TO BE, BUT I WALKED BRISKLY AND BEFORE I KNEW IT, THERE I WAS, STANDING ON THE HALLOWED GROUND OF DINO'S PARKING LOT. THAT FANTASY BEING FULFILLED, I CONTINUED WEST ON SUNSET TOWARDS THE WHISKEY A GO GO. I JUST HAD TO SEE THE PLACE THAT HAD HOUSED SUCH BANDS AS THE DOORS, THE BYRDS, BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD AND A HOST OF OTHERS.
FINALLY GOT THERE ABOUT HALF PAST MIDNIGHT. WHATEVER BAND HAD PLAYED THAT NIGHT WAS ALREADY FINISHED...MOST OF THE REMAINING CROWD WAS EITHER DRUNK OR PRETTY BUZZED ON SOMETHING. ERIC BURDON WAS THERE OVER IN A CORNER, SLOUCHED BEHIND A TABLE WITH SOME FRIENDS. I DRANK IN THE VIBES FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES, MILLING OVER IN MY MIND THE COUNTLESS GOLDEN MOMENTS IN POP MUSIC THAT HAD OCCURRED IN THE TINY CLUB.
ABOUT ONE IN THE MORNING I DECIDED I'D HAD MY FUN AND LEFT THE WHISKEY TO HAIL A CAB BACK TO MY HOTEL. RIGHT OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR ON SUNSET THERE WERE ABOUT THREE OR FOUR CABS, VERY UNUSUAL FOR LOS ANGELES. I JUMPED INTO ONE AND BEFORE I COULD SAY "I'M GOING BACK DOWN SUNSET TO THE TRAVEL LODGE AT LA BREA", THE CAB DRIVER SAID "SO...I GUESS YOU'RE GOING TO THE BIG PARTY TOO..."
WELL, I'M NOT A COMPLETE FOOL, SO I REPLIED..."YEAH".
SO NOW HERE I AM, BEEN IN LOS ANGELES FOR A TOTAL OF ABOUT FOUR HOURS IN MY ENTIRE LIFE, AND I'M ON MY WAY TO THE "BIG PARTY" UP IN THE HILLS. WE STARTED TO WIND UP THE ROADS OF THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS. TEN MINUTES INTO THIS CAB RIDE I DECIDED TO COME CLEAN WITH THE DRIVER. I TOLD HIM THAT I WASN'T REALLY INVITED TO THE "BIG PARTY", BUT IF HE'D TAKE ME THERE, I'D PAY MY FARE, AND THEN MAYBE HE COULD WAIT AND SEE IF I GOT IN. HE AGREED.
WE FINALLY ARRIVED AT A HOUSE THAT LOOKED LIKE THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES MANSION. I GOT OUT, PAID THE DRIVER AND TOLD HIM TO WAIT FOR ME IF I DIDN'T MANAGE TO GET IN.
I RANG THE DOORBELL OF THE HUGE FRONT DOOR AND SOME LOON OPENED IT AND SHOUTED "COME ON IN..."
SO MUCH FOR THE CAB DRIVER WAITING...THERE WAS NO NEED FOR THAT NOW.
THE SCENE WAS INSANE...NAKED PEOPLE IN THE POOL, PEOPLE SWILLING LIQUOR AND SNORTING COKE EVERYWHERE, AND JUST NOISE, NOISE, NOISE. I HAD BEEN IN CALIFORNIA FOR A TOTAL OF ABOUT FOUR HOURS, AND HERE I WAS AT SOME WING DING UP IN THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS. SOME GUY WITH A BRITISH ACCENT TOLD ME TO FOLLOW HIM TO THE KITCHEN FOR A BEER, WHICH I DID QUITE WILLINGLY. SO...NOW I AT LEAST HAD A BEER.
I WALKED AROUND, KIND OF INTIMIDATED, NOT KNOWING A SOUL IN THE HOUSE. THERE WAS A SMALL, CUT OFF UPRIGHT PIANO IN THE CORNER OF THE MAIN LIVING ROOM, SO I SAT DOWN ON THE BENCH, PUT MY BEER DOWN AND STARTED TINKERING SOFTLY, DOWN IN THE RANGE OF MIDDLE C. NO ONE COULD HEAR ME ANYWAY, SO THIS WENT ON FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES.
VERY UNOBTRUSIVELY, SOMEONE SAT DOWN NEXT TO ME ON THE PIANO BENCH, AND STARTED TINKERING SOFTLY ON THE UPPER REGISTER BESIDE ME. I DIDN'T LOOK UP FOR A FEW MINUTES, BUT WHEN I DID, I THOUGHT THIS GUY LOOKED KINDA FAMILIAR...ANOTHER GLANCE, AND SURE ENOUGH, IT WAS JIM MORRISON...BLACK JEANS, DARK BROWN SUEDE BOMBER JACKET, FULL BEARD AND LOTS OF HAIR...CLASSIC JIMBO...
NO ONE ELSE IN THE ROOM SEEMED TO KNOW IT WAS HIM...EITHER THAT OR THEY WERE ENTIRELY UNINTERESTED.
I SWILLED THE REST OF MY BEER AND ASKED HIM IF HE WANTED ONE...YOU SEE, BY NOW, I KNEW WHERE THE BEERS WERE. JIM FOLLOWED ME TO THE FRIDGE IN THE KITCHEN AND WE GRABBED TWO COLD ONES. NOW...THIS WAS NOT LONG AFTER JIM'S TROUBLE IN MIAMI. THE DOORS HADN'T PERFORMED IN A WHILE, AND I THINK THE TRIAL WAS STILL PENDING. I DIDN'T WANT TO GET IN HIS FACE, BUT I HAD TO ASK HIM "SO, MAN, WHAT ABOUT MIAMI...A LOT OF SHIT...? WHAT'S HAPPENING...?"
HE JUST GRINNED ONE OF THOSE FABULOUS "JIMBO GRINS" AND SAID "OH, IT'LL BE ALL RIGHT..."
WE BOTH WENT BACK TO THE PIANO BENCH, BUT THIS TIME WE JUST SAT DOWN AND DRANK OUR BEERS. ABOUT THIS TIME, TWO YOUNG HOLLYWOOD STRUMPET TYPES CAME UP TO JIM AND SAID "IT'S TIME TO GO, JIM..." HE PULLED SOME KEYS OUT OF HIS POCKET AND STARTED TO MAKE HIS WAY TO THE FRONT DOOR. HE'D HAD A FEW AND I THOUGHT HE SHOULDN'T BE DRIVING. OUT OF THE F*&@*G BLUE I JUST SAID "HEY MAN, DON'T DRIVE...LET ME DRIVE...I'LL TAKE YOU WHERE YOU WANT TO GO, AND YOU CAN DROP ME OFF THERE...I'LL GET BACK HOME LATER..."
TO MY AMAZEMENT, HE HANDED ME THE KEYS AND SAID "OKAY, LET'S GO..."
THE TWO GIRLS LED JIMBO TO HIS CAR (AT LEAST I ASSUMED IT WAS HIS)...IT WAS A SHINY SILVER GTO WITH A BLACK VINYL ROOF. HE OPENED THE TRUNK TO REVEAL A HUGE ALUMINUM WASHTUB FILLED WITH ICED MILLER HIGH LIFE BEERS. HE AND THE GIRLS GRABBED ONE APIECE AND THE THREE OF THEM CLIMBED INTO THE BACK SEAT. I GOT BEHIND THE WHEEL AND STARTED TO DRIVE.
NOW THE LAST THING JIM HAD TO HEAR AT THIS POINT WAS THAT I WAS THE BIGGEST DOORS FREAK IN NORTH AMERICA AND THAT I KNEW EVERYTHING ABOUT HIM. HE HAD NO IDEA WHAT ALL THIS WAS MEANING TO ME, BUT I NEVER EVEN LET ON THAT I WAS A MUSICIAN. SILENCE FOR A WHILE...JIM WOULD OCCASIONALLY SAY "TURN RIGHT HERE" OR "JUST KEEP GOING DOWN THIS STREET"...I HAD NO IDEA IN HELL WHERE I WAS DRIVING, AND I WAS NEW TO L.A. AND THERE WAS LIQUOR IN THE CAR, SO I JUST DROVE CAUTIOUSLY LIKE A LIMO DRIVER. ONCE IN A WHILE JIM WOULD SAY TO ONE OF THE GIRLS "SOME FOR THE DRIVER, SOME FOR THE DRIVER" UPON WHICH ONE OF THE GIRLS WOULD HAND ME ONE OF THE BEERS SO I COULD DOWN A SIP.
AFTER A WHILE THE CONVERSATION STARTED.
MY GOD HE WAS ARTICULATE...EVEN HALF DRUNK, HE WAS MORE LUCID AND INTELLIGENT THAN NINETY PER CENT OF ALL THE PEOPLE I'VE EVER MET IN THIS LIFETIME.
HE WAS SO WELL READ...HE TALKED ABOUT GREAT AUTHORS...MARK TWAIN, RUDYARD KIPLING, LEWIS CARROL AND MANY OTHERS I CAN'T RECALL NOW. HE TALKED ABOUT THE UNIVERSE AND ITS SIZE...HE TALKED ABOUT THE GREAT PAINTERS OF THE RENAISSANCE ERA...HE TALKED ABOUT GREAT POETS, TOUCHING FROM TIME TO TIME ON WILLIAM BLAKE AND MAYBE BEAUDELAIRE...I'M RECALLING WHATEVER I CAN REMEMBER AFTER ALL THESE YEARS...
EVERY TIME THEIR BOTTLES WERE EMPTY, I WAS TOLD TO PULL OVER AND STOP, WHEREUPON ONE OF THE GIRLS WOULD GET OUT AND BRING IN ANOTHER FEW MILLER HIGH LIFES FROM THE TRUNK. THIS WENT ON FOR HOURS. THE THREE OF THEM WERE GETTING DRUNKER AND FRIENDLIER IN THE BACK SEAT...
IT WAS ALL SO SURREAL...MY FIRST NIGHT EVER IN LOS ANGELES, AND I WAS CHAUFFERING THE LIZARD KING AROUND ON HIS TURF. JUST ABOUT SUNRISE, THE THREE OF THEM SUDDENLY SAID THAT THEY "HAD TO GET BACK TO THEIR PLACE" WHATEVER THAT MEANT. I JUST SAID "OKAY, I'LL GET OUT HERE...JIM, LET ONE OF THE GIRLS DRIVE..." I GOT OUT OF THE GTO ON VENTURA BLVD. IN THE VALLEY, ONE OF THE GIRLS GOT BEHIND THE WHEEL, AND I WATCHED THE GTO PULL AWAY WESTWARD ON VENTURA...AND THAT WAS THAT.
I DIDN'T HAVE MUCH MONEY IN MY POCKET, AND I HAD TO TAKE A COMBINATION OF BUSSES AND A CAB TO GET BACK TO OUR TRAVEL LODGE HOTEL. HELL, I'D ENDED UP ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL. I WAS A LONG, LONG WAY FROM BACHMAN, PETERSON, AND KALE...
WHEN I FINALLY GOT BACK TO THE TRAVEL LODGE, THE SUN WAS UP...IT WAS THE NEXT MORNING. WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO ME HADN'T REALLY SUNK IN YET...I TOLD THE WHOLE STORY TO THE OTHER THREE THAT MORNING...I DON'T THINK KALE AND PETERSON BELIEVED ME FOR A SECOND...I THINK RANDY BELIEVED ME, BUT HE DIDN'T SAY MUCH...THE DOORS HAD NEVER REALLY MEANT MUCH TO THE OTHER GUYS. I WAS YOUNGER, AND I HAD DONE ACID, SO THE GAP BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE OTHER THREE WAS ENORMOUS AT THAT PARTICULAR POINT IN TIME.
JUST OVER A YEAR LATER, JIM MORRISON WAS GONE...FOREVER...
YEARS LATER, I BECAME PART OF A WEEKLY BUNCH OF NBA FANATICS WHO WOULD ALL GET TOGETHER ON SUNDAYS TO WATCH MICHAEL JORDAN ON TELEVISION WHENEVER WE GOT THE CHANCE. ONE OF THIS GROUP WAS RAY MANZAREK. WHEN I TOLD HIM ABOUT MY NIGHT WITH JIM, HE TOLD ME "HELL MAN, YOU SPENT MORE TIME WITH JIM THAN ALMOST ANYBODY..."
TO THIS DAY, I FEEL IT WAS THE MUSIC GODS GIVING ME A SMALL GIFT TO REWARD MY FASCINATION WITH MUSIC IN GENERAL, IN PARTICULAR THE DOORS AND JIM'S WORK. IT WAS A NIGHT TO REMEMBER...AND I WILL REMEMBER IT ALWAYS...
GL & GH...
B.C.
WE CAME INTO TOWN FROM THE AIRPORT AND CHECKED IN TO THE TRAVEL LODGE ON SUNSET, RIGHT NEAR LA BREA, AT ABOUT NINE IN THE EVENING. I HAD NEVER SEEN L.A. BEFORE. I WAS ENTHRALLED...
I WANTED TO GO OUT SIGHT SEEING, BUT THE OTHER THREE GUYS WERE JUST NOT INTERESTED.
SINCE BEING A SMALL KID IN THE NORTH END OF WINNIPEG, I HAD BEEN A HUGE FAN OF "77 SUNSET STRIP". SAW EVERY SINGLE EPISODE. ONE OF MY HEROES HAD BEEN EDD "KOOKIE" BYRNES. HE PARKED THE CARS AT DINO'S LOUNGE ON SUNSET. THAT WAS THE FIRST THING I WANTED TO SEE.
SO I LEFT THE HOTEL ALONE AND WALKED WEST ON SUNSET, TOWARD THE OCEAN. IT'S A PRETTY FAIR HIKE FROM LA BREA TO WHERE DINO'S USED TO BE, BUT I WALKED BRISKLY AND BEFORE I KNEW IT, THERE I WAS, STANDING ON THE HALLOWED GROUND OF DINO'S PARKING LOT. THAT FANTASY BEING FULFILLED, I CONTINUED WEST ON SUNSET TOWARDS THE WHISKEY A GO GO. I JUST HAD TO SEE THE PLACE THAT HAD HOUSED SUCH BANDS AS THE DOORS, THE BYRDS, BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD AND A HOST OF OTHERS.
FINALLY GOT THERE ABOUT HALF PAST MIDNIGHT. WHATEVER BAND HAD PLAYED THAT NIGHT WAS ALREADY FINISHED...MOST OF THE REMAINING CROWD WAS EITHER DRUNK OR PRETTY BUZZED ON SOMETHING. ERIC BURDON WAS THERE OVER IN A CORNER, SLOUCHED BEHIND A TABLE WITH SOME FRIENDS. I DRANK IN THE VIBES FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES, MILLING OVER IN MY MIND THE COUNTLESS GOLDEN MOMENTS IN POP MUSIC THAT HAD OCCURRED IN THE TINY CLUB.
ABOUT ONE IN THE MORNING I DECIDED I'D HAD MY FUN AND LEFT THE WHISKEY TO HAIL A CAB BACK TO MY HOTEL. RIGHT OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR ON SUNSET THERE WERE ABOUT THREE OR FOUR CABS, VERY UNUSUAL FOR LOS ANGELES. I JUMPED INTO ONE AND BEFORE I COULD SAY "I'M GOING BACK DOWN SUNSET TO THE TRAVEL LODGE AT LA BREA", THE CAB DRIVER SAID "SO...I GUESS YOU'RE GOING TO THE BIG PARTY TOO..."
WELL, I'M NOT A COMPLETE FOOL, SO I REPLIED..."YEAH".
SO NOW HERE I AM, BEEN IN LOS ANGELES FOR A TOTAL OF ABOUT FOUR HOURS IN MY ENTIRE LIFE, AND I'M ON MY WAY TO THE "BIG PARTY" UP IN THE HILLS. WE STARTED TO WIND UP THE ROADS OF THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS. TEN MINUTES INTO THIS CAB RIDE I DECIDED TO COME CLEAN WITH THE DRIVER. I TOLD HIM THAT I WASN'T REALLY INVITED TO THE "BIG PARTY", BUT IF HE'D TAKE ME THERE, I'D PAY MY FARE, AND THEN MAYBE HE COULD WAIT AND SEE IF I GOT IN. HE AGREED.
WE FINALLY ARRIVED AT A HOUSE THAT LOOKED LIKE THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES MANSION. I GOT OUT, PAID THE DRIVER AND TOLD HIM TO WAIT FOR ME IF I DIDN'T MANAGE TO GET IN.
I RANG THE DOORBELL OF THE HUGE FRONT DOOR AND SOME LOON OPENED IT AND SHOUTED "COME ON IN..."
SO MUCH FOR THE CAB DRIVER WAITING...THERE WAS NO NEED FOR THAT NOW.
THE SCENE WAS INSANE...NAKED PEOPLE IN THE POOL, PEOPLE SWILLING LIQUOR AND SNORTING COKE EVERYWHERE, AND JUST NOISE, NOISE, NOISE. I HAD BEEN IN CALIFORNIA FOR A TOTAL OF ABOUT FOUR HOURS, AND HERE I WAS AT SOME WING DING UP IN THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS. SOME GUY WITH A BRITISH ACCENT TOLD ME TO FOLLOW HIM TO THE KITCHEN FOR A BEER, WHICH I DID QUITE WILLINGLY. SO...NOW I AT LEAST HAD A BEER.
I WALKED AROUND, KIND OF INTIMIDATED, NOT KNOWING A SOUL IN THE HOUSE. THERE WAS A SMALL, CUT OFF UPRIGHT PIANO IN THE CORNER OF THE MAIN LIVING ROOM, SO I SAT DOWN ON THE BENCH, PUT MY BEER DOWN AND STARTED TINKERING SOFTLY, DOWN IN THE RANGE OF MIDDLE C. NO ONE COULD HEAR ME ANYWAY, SO THIS WENT ON FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES.
VERY UNOBTRUSIVELY, SOMEONE SAT DOWN NEXT TO ME ON THE PIANO BENCH, AND STARTED TINKERING SOFTLY ON THE UPPER REGISTER BESIDE ME. I DIDN'T LOOK UP FOR A FEW MINUTES, BUT WHEN I DID, I THOUGHT THIS GUY LOOKED KINDA FAMILIAR...ANOTHER GLANCE, AND SURE ENOUGH, IT WAS JIM MORRISON...BLACK JEANS, DARK BROWN SUEDE BOMBER JACKET, FULL BEARD AND LOTS OF HAIR...CLASSIC JIMBO...
NO ONE ELSE IN THE ROOM SEEMED TO KNOW IT WAS HIM...EITHER THAT OR THEY WERE ENTIRELY UNINTERESTED.
I SWILLED THE REST OF MY BEER AND ASKED HIM IF HE WANTED ONE...YOU SEE, BY NOW, I KNEW WHERE THE BEERS WERE. JIM FOLLOWED ME TO THE FRIDGE IN THE KITCHEN AND WE GRABBED TWO COLD ONES. NOW...THIS WAS NOT LONG AFTER JIM'S TROUBLE IN MIAMI. THE DOORS HADN'T PERFORMED IN A WHILE, AND I THINK THE TRIAL WAS STILL PENDING. I DIDN'T WANT TO GET IN HIS FACE, BUT I HAD TO ASK HIM "SO, MAN, WHAT ABOUT MIAMI...A LOT OF SHIT...? WHAT'S HAPPENING...?"
HE JUST GRINNED ONE OF THOSE FABULOUS "JIMBO GRINS" AND SAID "OH, IT'LL BE ALL RIGHT..."
WE BOTH WENT BACK TO THE PIANO BENCH, BUT THIS TIME WE JUST SAT DOWN AND DRANK OUR BEERS. ABOUT THIS TIME, TWO YOUNG HOLLYWOOD STRUMPET TYPES CAME UP TO JIM AND SAID "IT'S TIME TO GO, JIM..." HE PULLED SOME KEYS OUT OF HIS POCKET AND STARTED TO MAKE HIS WAY TO THE FRONT DOOR. HE'D HAD A FEW AND I THOUGHT HE SHOULDN'T BE DRIVING. OUT OF THE F*&@*G BLUE I JUST SAID "HEY MAN, DON'T DRIVE...LET ME DRIVE...I'LL TAKE YOU WHERE YOU WANT TO GO, AND YOU CAN DROP ME OFF THERE...I'LL GET BACK HOME LATER..."
TO MY AMAZEMENT, HE HANDED ME THE KEYS AND SAID "OKAY, LET'S GO..."
THE TWO GIRLS LED JIMBO TO HIS CAR (AT LEAST I ASSUMED IT WAS HIS)...IT WAS A SHINY SILVER GTO WITH A BLACK VINYL ROOF. HE OPENED THE TRUNK TO REVEAL A HUGE ALUMINUM WASHTUB FILLED WITH ICED MILLER HIGH LIFE BEERS. HE AND THE GIRLS GRABBED ONE APIECE AND THE THREE OF THEM CLIMBED INTO THE BACK SEAT. I GOT BEHIND THE WHEEL AND STARTED TO DRIVE.
NOW THE LAST THING JIM HAD TO HEAR AT THIS POINT WAS THAT I WAS THE BIGGEST DOORS FREAK IN NORTH AMERICA AND THAT I KNEW EVERYTHING ABOUT HIM. HE HAD NO IDEA WHAT ALL THIS WAS MEANING TO ME, BUT I NEVER EVEN LET ON THAT I WAS A MUSICIAN. SILENCE FOR A WHILE...JIM WOULD OCCASIONALLY SAY "TURN RIGHT HERE" OR "JUST KEEP GOING DOWN THIS STREET"...I HAD NO IDEA IN HELL WHERE I WAS DRIVING, AND I WAS NEW TO L.A. AND THERE WAS LIQUOR IN THE CAR, SO I JUST DROVE CAUTIOUSLY LIKE A LIMO DRIVER. ONCE IN A WHILE JIM WOULD SAY TO ONE OF THE GIRLS "SOME FOR THE DRIVER, SOME FOR THE DRIVER" UPON WHICH ONE OF THE GIRLS WOULD HAND ME ONE OF THE BEERS SO I COULD DOWN A SIP.
AFTER A WHILE THE CONVERSATION STARTED.
MY GOD HE WAS ARTICULATE...EVEN HALF DRUNK, HE WAS MORE LUCID AND INTELLIGENT THAN NINETY PER CENT OF ALL THE PEOPLE I'VE EVER MET IN THIS LIFETIME.
HE WAS SO WELL READ...HE TALKED ABOUT GREAT AUTHORS...MARK TWAIN, RUDYARD KIPLING, LEWIS CARROL AND MANY OTHERS I CAN'T RECALL NOW. HE TALKED ABOUT THE UNIVERSE AND ITS SIZE...HE TALKED ABOUT THE GREAT PAINTERS OF THE RENAISSANCE ERA...HE TALKED ABOUT GREAT POETS, TOUCHING FROM TIME TO TIME ON WILLIAM BLAKE AND MAYBE BEAUDELAIRE...I'M RECALLING WHATEVER I CAN REMEMBER AFTER ALL THESE YEARS...
EVERY TIME THEIR BOTTLES WERE EMPTY, I WAS TOLD TO PULL OVER AND STOP, WHEREUPON ONE OF THE GIRLS WOULD GET OUT AND BRING IN ANOTHER FEW MILLER HIGH LIFES FROM THE TRUNK. THIS WENT ON FOR HOURS. THE THREE OF THEM WERE GETTING DRUNKER AND FRIENDLIER IN THE BACK SEAT...
IT WAS ALL SO SURREAL...MY FIRST NIGHT EVER IN LOS ANGELES, AND I WAS CHAUFFERING THE LIZARD KING AROUND ON HIS TURF. JUST ABOUT SUNRISE, THE THREE OF THEM SUDDENLY SAID THAT THEY "HAD TO GET BACK TO THEIR PLACE" WHATEVER THAT MEANT. I JUST SAID "OKAY, I'LL GET OUT HERE...JIM, LET ONE OF THE GIRLS DRIVE..." I GOT OUT OF THE GTO ON VENTURA BLVD. IN THE VALLEY, ONE OF THE GIRLS GOT BEHIND THE WHEEL, AND I WATCHED THE GTO PULL AWAY WESTWARD ON VENTURA...AND THAT WAS THAT.
I DIDN'T HAVE MUCH MONEY IN MY POCKET, AND I HAD TO TAKE A COMBINATION OF BUSSES AND A CAB TO GET BACK TO OUR TRAVEL LODGE HOTEL. HELL, I'D ENDED UP ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL. I WAS A LONG, LONG WAY FROM BACHMAN, PETERSON, AND KALE...
WHEN I FINALLY GOT BACK TO THE TRAVEL LODGE, THE SUN WAS UP...IT WAS THE NEXT MORNING. WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO ME HADN'T REALLY SUNK IN YET...I TOLD THE WHOLE STORY TO THE OTHER THREE THAT MORNING...I DON'T THINK KALE AND PETERSON BELIEVED ME FOR A SECOND...I THINK RANDY BELIEVED ME, BUT HE DIDN'T SAY MUCH...THE DOORS HAD NEVER REALLY MEANT MUCH TO THE OTHER GUYS. I WAS YOUNGER, AND I HAD DONE ACID, SO THE GAP BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE OTHER THREE WAS ENORMOUS AT THAT PARTICULAR POINT IN TIME.
JUST OVER A YEAR LATER, JIM MORRISON WAS GONE...FOREVER...
YEARS LATER, I BECAME PART OF A WEEKLY BUNCH OF NBA FANATICS WHO WOULD ALL GET TOGETHER ON SUNDAYS TO WATCH MICHAEL JORDAN ON TELEVISION WHENEVER WE GOT THE CHANCE. ONE OF THIS GROUP WAS RAY MANZAREK. WHEN I TOLD HIM ABOUT MY NIGHT WITH JIM, HE TOLD ME "HELL MAN, YOU SPENT MORE TIME WITH JIM THAN ALMOST ANYBODY..."
TO THIS DAY, I FEEL IT WAS THE MUSIC GODS GIVING ME A SMALL GIFT TO REWARD MY FASCINATION WITH MUSIC IN GENERAL, IN PARTICULAR THE DOORS AND JIM'S WORK. IT WAS A NIGHT TO REMEMBER...AND I WILL REMEMBER IT ALWAYS...
GL & GH...
B.C.
posted by Burton Cummings at
10:41 PM
32 Comments:
So he never knew who you were...that sucks. His loss.
That has got to be your best night ever! Not only meeting, by chance, your idol but being able to be a part of his life for however long a time.
I remember a time I drove someone I admired around. Just one of those things you'll never forget and has a huge impact on the rest of your life.
Thanks for sharing :)
Sorta reminds me of an 8:15 moment. I guess you know that by now. Scratch Jimbo's name, insert yours and the plot is vaguely familiar. For those of you there, am I right or what?
I want to be first in line for when you write your autobiography. Your stories, and your willingness to share them to your cyberfriends is nothing short of astounding!
One more thing that we owe you for!
The first time I heard this story I thought he knew who you were. It is a wonderful story and it has this magical quality to it of happening because it was meant to. That's what I like about it. It is like everything just lined up right and you were given the gift of meeting one of your favourite musicians. When you think of the things that had to happen, you had to have the good luck of that particular taxi driver telling you about the party, you had to get let into a private party with " famous" people, ( that sure wouldn't happen today with all the nuts out there!) then out of that whole big crowd, Jim sat down beside you, and later accepted your offer of chauffeur even though he didn't know you from Adam. Imagine, if you hadn't asked him then your experience would not have been quite so wonderful. I believe things like this can happen ; gifts from the universe. We don't get them often though. That is why they are such special memories and we never forget them. I really would have liked to be in on that conversation with Jim. I would have been in heaven too.
Always love reading this story (no one tells a story like you do, btw). Special night for you.
Wow, what a night to remember is right! I continue to be fascinated by how many details you recall from so many years ago. Thanks for sharing this with us. OH, and for once again using the word "Strumpet". LMFAO!!!
Burton, last night I played "Moonlight Drive" and here is your blog. I loved Jim and still do. As a matter of fact, I have the collectible that was marketed on Amazon of him with the microphone. You and the Lizard King are kindred spirits and it is amazing how you were led to him. It's the way the Universe works my friend and it often beyond comprehension. You were given a moment in time with Jim and you were a friend to him. I think we are often of the misconception that friendships can only be formed from years of knowing someone. Not always so. You formed a bond within that moment. I will try to keep my response short LOL. If you listen on the Doors' "Essential Rarities", you will hear that Jim was very serious about the music and the work product. I think the failed relationship with his parents and trying to deal with the excess of fame (inherently he was very shy, creative and sensitive in my experience of him)were much to deal with. Burton, continue to draw from his spirit. I fully believe in its survival. You are still here and sharing your beautiful talent. Thank you. Thank you. Have a good day. Joyce
I never get sick of hearing that story!
What's next? Maybe the "Live at Carnegie Hall" story?
I also have a "night to remember" thanks to you. Back in '84 in Edm at the Holiday Inn with John H from st Johns High. What a long and great night after the show. I'm still with my "one and only" now living in Cochrane AB. Will always have the memories of jamming with you on the piano on stage late at night after the show. All the best with ATG. Regards.
Hey B, great story. I can say I know how you felt. I experienced the same emotions that night we first met long ago in the wee hours jamming at Richard Perry's Studio 55, and the feeling I had when you took me away from the club stages of LA in the eighties to tour with you. Meeting Ringo through you was another one of those unforgettable moments. I feel blessed that I had the great fortune to work with you,Bachman,Bo Diddley and The Beach Boys. Doesn't get much better than that.
Life's short so I've gotta say, I am so pleased and comforted in the knowledge that you are out there with some of the great ones laying down what i consider to be the "real deal".
All the best to you and the boys.
peace in '08 and beyond
MK
hi there Burton--just wishing you all the best with ATG. Hard work on all your parts guys-it will now be showtime --It'llbe great.
It was awesome, that you spent at least some time with Jim. Of course you will never forget that, I am sure you will tresure that for life. To bad he never knew who you were. The good thing is that you had your great moment with Jim.
Take care,
Graciela
Hi Burton: I watched 77 Sunset Strip with my brothers. We loved it. I liked Roger Smith (I think he is married to Ann Margaret). Thanks again for another amazing story about your past. You were in the right place at the right time.
Cheers, Norina.
TO THIS DAY, I FEEL IT WAS THE MUSIC GODS GIVING ME A SMALL GIFT TO REWARD MY FASCINATION WITH MUSIC IN GENERAL, IN PARTICULAR THE DOORS AND JIM'S WORK. IT WAS A NIGHT TO REMEMBER...AND I WILL REMEMBER IT ALWAYS...
The Music Gods always seem to know exactly when to work their magic...
I loved this story and the way you tell it, I admit I read it before, but I also read it again, (I think this makes 3 times) Great story teller! A great night to remember!! Too bad he didn't know who you were!
Still one of my favourite stories, Mr. Cummings.
Meeting your idol. What a buzz that must be. Kind of like the way I would feel if I ever met you. I've heard you tell that story before. It obviously had a great impact on your life. Your memories are so clear, the reader feels like they are right there with you. Long term memory is an amazing gift, its the short term stuff that can mess us up.
Just a little over a week to go, until we can get our hands on ATG. Wish I could make your Nov.
5th show at First Canadian Place.
Unfortunatley, my job is just not as flexible as others. However, I am trying to convince my son to go for me. I'm hoping somehow he'll manage to get an autographed copy. Keep healthy and well.
You have some very exciting days ahead of you.
Joy
I remember this blog from the other site - you amaze me with your memory - but you meeting Jim, that feeling, a lot of us feel that way about meeting you! Keep blogging . . . and the best to you always,
Judith
"HE TALKED ABOUT GREAT POETS, TOUCHING FROM TIME TO TIME ON WILLIAM BLAKE AND MAYBE BEAUDELAIRE..."
All Jim every really cared about on this planet were books... he was happy living on a rooftop in Venice with a pile of notebooks and paperbacks.
By the time he had more money than most of us would ever need, he lived for two years in The Alta Cienega Motel... once again, surrounded only by his books. He seldom owned a car, never had a stereo of his own, records... he cared little for anything material.
He was too smart for this world, and I imagine he felt like an alien most of the time.
I'm sitting here laughing at the "word verification" I'll need to enter in order to publish this post: "Dionis"
... for a second there, it looked just like Dionysus...
What a coincidence?
Thanks alot for your story.
Cydney.
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WOW! That's a really neat story Burton..Thanks for sharing it with us... I loved reading it!!!!!
Debbie
Hey Burt,
Need to send you a sketch I have hanging my my bedroom of Jim. Bought it at a flee market and never got around to sending it to you (I guess I liked it to much!).
When i get my shit back together I will send it your way...Now that you have done an album entirely with your own lyrics, how about taking lyrics from the fans and putting them to tunes and see how you influenced so many of us to write poetry, etc. just a wild idea as I sit here with no wall on the side of my home....Hey, I can "shoot for the Moon" right through one of my bedrooms....sad grin....One of the Moowalkers, Alan Bean is a friend...He shot for the Moon and made it on Apollo 12....smile.....Houston, we still have a problem....but at least 19 new tunes will be coming to A "MUSE" us (me)....Sure wish you would "CHOOSE" that song to see the daylight. Bad pun....sorry.
Peace and God Speed the Sisters.
Richard Stonely
Burton,
Loved this story when you posted it way back on myspace.
It has stuck with you all these years and obviously was a very special time for you. Your life has dealt you many treasures and this seems to be of high personal importance ... He may not have known who you were but he liked what he heard. An honour to you!
Peace,
Jan
What a GREAT story Burton. :) Thanks for sharing it!
wow two great musical gods together how great it would have been for the two of you to do something a record , a movie , that sure would be something to behold thank you mr.cummings for shareing this with us its very interesting god bless my friend
Isn't is amazing how some of the shorest moments in life can have the most impact on us?
I'm glad you had that moment; it obviously had a great impact on you.
Blessings,
Caoimhe
What a great story Burton. It must have been quite a thrill for you. The list of huge talents you've rubbed shoulders with must be extensive indeed.
Thanks for this glimpse at your amazing life experiences.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Was at the CHFI gig last night and I have to say that in my 53 years on this earh, being "up close and personal" was the most amazing experience I have ever had. I have 2 boys who are 10 and 12 and they love you music. The defing moment for me in their young lives happened at your Ontatio Place concert with Bachman this paast may when the 3 of us played air guitar and sang along with you to American Women!
Keep on rocking B.C.!
Burton:
You told us a bit of this story last night during your rocking, unbelievable performance at the CHFI gig in Toronto.
It is surreal for me to be able to attend one of your performances in such an intimate setting.
Your music, lyrics and voice have touched my life in so many ways.
Thank you.
AMFC1
I heard part of this story a while back...although I believe you entirely, I can see the rest of the GW being a little skeptical; it's sort of like me telling people that you are personally on MySpace and Blogger...
Congratulations again on ATG, I'm looking forward to it like you wouldn't believe. (I'm buying it tomorrow...I've been busy lol)
Oh, and I'll see you tomorrow :)
-YSS
I was just reading over this again...and I think I'm safe to assume that for the most part, you are to me as Jim Morrison was to you, so out of everyone; you probably have the best idea of how much I enjoy/appreciate/treasure/respect your presence here, and meeting you in Toronto last week (and you knowing who I am, as it just wouldn't have been the same otherwise lol).
Well, he was only 4 years older than you, but that's only a minor detail LOL
-YSS
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