On Morrison's anniversary: The Rock Hall exhibit

Jim Morrison: Cub Scout.

It takes a minute to even begin to grasp this idea, and even now it's not fully accepted, several days after our weekend trip to Cleveland to see the Doors exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. But there it is, on the wall, the tiny blue shirt that a presumably more conforming Jim Morrison wore as a child.

The most devoted Doors fans will congregate at the special exhibit today, the 36th anniversary of Jim's death in Paris. The exhibit occupies the very top floor of the majestic I.M. Pei-designed glass pyramid and tower shape on Cleveland's waterfront. Two hints: If you go, go early -- the museum opens at 10 but doesn't really fill up until about noon, when lines begin to form; and go directly to the Doors exhibit after you enter. We were able to pore over the fascinating documents at our leisure in near-privacy.

The exhibit is a bit dark, understandable for preservation of artifacts that are now more than 40 years old, but it presents a challenge for detailed reading. And several documents deserve that, including the heartbreaking and ironically amusing 1970 letter from Admiral George Morrison to the probation department after Jim's conviction for indecent exposure during a concert in Miami.

His father wrote: "I saw him last about 5 years ago ... 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."

Sadly, none of Jim's adult clothing is in the collection. Whatever became of the leather pants, the suede jacket, the silver concho belts? The story told by the tiny Cub Scout shirt is different, but no less poignant.

The exhibit runs through Oct. 7.

-- Anne Neville

   

Comments

[BobbyCat]

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a good place to celebrate rock nostalgia. But every year local promoters, such as the Erie County Fair (or whatever its called now) bring in acts from the 60ies to headline at the Fair. Its embarassing. Frankie Valie and the Four Seasons? Herman's Hermits?? .
Are we stuck in the 60ies?

Really people, why don't you book some acts that appeal to those of us who are not yet in wheelchairs?

Last weekend, the promoters of Ellicottville's Summerfest, electrified WNY with their booking of Eric Burdon and the Animals. I mentioned this to my daughter. She said, "Who?".

Who, indeed.

I know that every act - no matter how old, has its fans. That's fine. But this area deserves to see and hear more modern acts. Please.

And don't bother trying to book Lawrence Welk,again. He's still dead. And so are most of his fans.