Morrison developed an alcohol dependency throughout the band's career, which at times affected his performances on stage. Manzarek said Morrison 'embodied hippie counterculture rebellion'. Morrison was well known for improvising spoken word poetry passages while the band played live. Morrison recorded a total of six studio albums with the Doors, all of which sold well and received critical acclaim. The group spent two years in obscurity until shooting to prominence with their number-one single in the United States, ' Light My Fire', taken from their self-titled debut album. Together with pianist Ray Manzarek, Morrison founded the Doors in 1965 in Venice, California.
Since his death, his fame has endured as one of popular culture's top rebellious and oft-displayed icons, representing the generation gap and youth counterculture. Due to his wild personality, poetic lyrics, distinctive voice, unpredictable and erratic performances, and the dramatic circumstances surrounding his life and early death, Morrison is regarded by music critics and fans as one of the most influential frontmen in rock history. James Douglas Morrison (Decem– July 3, 1971) was an American singer, poet and songwriter who was the lead vocalist of the rock band the Doors.
