Jim Morrison, the Lizard King, from his days as a UCLA film student in the early 1960s to his death in a Paris hotel in 1971. In the early days of the group's formation, Morrison is at his most benign; he's just a guy hanging out at the beach writing poetry. But as the Doors' fame begins to spread—with Morrison as the focus of attention—his drug consumption and erratic behavior increase exponentially. The rest of the band—Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, and Robby Krieger—begins to grow tired of his late arrivals, the increasing number of cancellations, and the drunken recording sessions requiring infinite retakes. But no one can help Morrison as he spirals downward into an inferno of drugs, alcohol, public obscenity, and depression.

Jim Morrison, the Lizard King, from his days as a UCLA film student in the early 1960s to his death in a Paris hotel in 1971. In the early days of the group's formation, Morrison is at his most benign; he's just a guy hanging out at the beach writing poetry. But as the Doors' fame begins to spread—with Morrison as the focus of attention—his drug consumption and erratic behavior increase exponentially. The rest of the band—Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, and Robby Krieger—begins to grow tired of his late arrivals, the increasing number of cancellations, and the drunken recording sessions requiring infinite retakes. But no one can help Morrison as he spirals downward into an inferno of drugs, alcohol, public obscenity, and depression. (less)