The Doors drummer John Densmore’s new book, “The Seekers,” recalls wild times with fellow stars including Janis Joplin and Willie Nelson.
“At a party in Los Angeles around the time Jim [Morrison] was well on his way to becoming an alcoholic, he pulled on Janis’ hair and she responded by cracking a bottle of Southern Comfort over his head,” Densmore recalls in one chapter. He adds, “They couldn’t help themselves. Living life with total abandon was their mantra.”
Densmore calls both singing greats “cautionary tales.” But, “It doesn’t have to be that way; many great artists live to a ripe old age . . . But when you’re not only gifted but tortured, after a time the human family seems more fascinated with your troubles than your art. It’s kinda sad. It’s as if we are jealous of someone with creative gifts, and when they fall, we revel in them having to pay for being so special.”
Densmore also recalls hanging out with Nelson, recounting that the country singer was also a backstage comic. His material apparently included: “What’s a guitar player without his instrument? Homeless!”
The tome comes out Nov. 17 from Hachette.