Jim Morrison: 5 Inspiring Quotes Attributed to the Late Rocker
Jim Morrison remains one of rock’s most intriguing characters. He was a singer and a poet and truly exemplified the term “artist.”
Jim Morrison remains one of rock's most intriguing characters. He was a singer and a poet and truly exemplified the term "artist."
Morrison's mystique and style undoubtedly had an impact on generations of singers that followed. His influence can be seen and heard in the likes of INXS' Michael Hutchence, Stone Temple Pilots' Scott Weiland, Patti Smith and Iggy Pop. Believe it or not, Morrison even had a unique impact on Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon. The former Saturday Night Live cast member channeled his inner "Lizard King" in 2011 by impersonating the frontman on a cover of the theme song from Reading Rainbow.
Morrison's writings have been the subject of multiple releases. The latest was The Collected Works of Jim Morrison: Poetry, Journals, Transcripts, and Lyrics. Released in June 2021, the 600-page book was comprised of previously published work. However, nearly half of the book featured material from 28 notebooks that had been recently discovered. Also included were over 150 photos and drawings, some of which were rare family photos.
Shortly after the release of the book, it was announced a new documentary on Morrison was in the works with the full cooperation of his estate.
At the time, Billboard noted, "[Jampol Artist Management (JAM, Inc.)] and the Morrison estate are developing the untitled documentary, which will be produced by independent studio Gunpowder & Sky, Jampol, and Jeff Pollack of FourScore Entertainment."
CEO of JAM, Inc. Jeff Jampol said in a statement, "All these decades everybody talked about Jim Morrison the rock star, which he certainly was. But we really felt it was time to even the playing field and talk about these other aspects of Jim, which were either not as known or celebrated or discussed."
To celebrate his life and work, we gathered five of our favorite Jim Morrison quotes that we find inspiring.
On fear
Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images"Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free."
On poetry
Express/Express/Getty Images"Listen, real poetry doesn’t say anything; it just ticks off the possibilities. Opens all doors. You can walk through anyone that suits you."
On revolution
Central Press/Getty Images"There can't be any large-scale revolution until there's a personal revolution, on an individual level. It's got to happen inside first."
On friendship
Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images"Friends can help each other. A true friend is someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself—and especially to feel. Or, not feel. Whatever you happen to be feeling at the moment is fine with them. That’s what real love amounts to—letting a person be what he really is."
On his favorite kind of people
Len Trievnor/Daily Express/Getty Images"I like people who shake other people up and make them feel uncomfortable."
