close
close

When Alice Cooper inspired an iconic Doors lyric

Posted on by angelo
When Alice Cooper inspired an iconic Doors lyric

How a conversation with Alice Cooper inspired an iconic lyric from The Doors

(Credits: Far Out / Alamy)

Although he may have reached his commercial peak in the rock scene of the early 1970s, Vincent Damon Furnier – Alice Cooper, to his friends – learned his trade in the vibrant counterculture scene of the 1960s. The decade was so full of now-iconic musicians that it’s often difficult to remember that Cooper was there, even though he had a notable impact on one of the most important and famous bands of the counter- culture: The Doors.

Few bands embody the revolutionary qualities of the hippie counterculture era as much as Jim Morrison and The Doors. Living the archetypal rock and roll lifestyle, Morrison helped define many of the tropes that are now considered synonymous with rock stars. In addition to his provocative image and attitude, he and the band also created some truly compelling records. From their self-titled debut in 1967 to their final effort in 1978 An American prayerThe Doors embraced a variety of influences and explored countless revolutionary themes in Morrisons songwriting.

As one would expect, Morrison was able to find inspiration in the most unlikely places. He seemed to move through life soaking up his environment like a sponge, certainly stimulated by a dizzying cocktail of drugs and alcohol. His lyricism became emblematic of the counterculture era, but one of his most recognizable lyrics was actually written – inadvertently by Alice Cooper.

The raspy-voiced eyeliner enthusiast had struck up something of a friendship with the Doors in the late 1960s, just as Cooper was beginning to gain traction in the rock and roll world. “You couldn’t help but get caught up in the mystique of Jim (Morrison),” Cooper shared with Classic rock, “He was always this ethereal type of person.” This ethereal mystique certainly manifested itself in the Doors’ musical output, particularly in their legendary 1970 track “Roadhouse Blues,” in which Cooper played a role.

Recalling the production of this track, featured on the album Morrison Hotel, Cooper said, “I remember sitting with Jim once. He said, “So, what’s up, man?” I said, ‘Oh, I don’t know, man. I woke up this morning and bought myself a beer. And that ended up being one of the lyrics in “Roadhouse Blues” by The Doors. Although the track achieved only modest commercial success, reaching number 50 on the US charts, it remains a favorite among devoted Doors fans.

Tragically, Morrison died aged just 27, but according to Cooper, “the fact that Jim lived to be 27 was a miracle.” He remembers the singer fondly, although he remains impressed by Morrison’s drug use. “I can see how his heart gave out,” he recalls, “He would walk into a room, there would be a bowl full of pills – pills, downers, acids, etc. – and he would gulp them down like you and I would eat M&M’s and then he would wash them down with whiskey.

“I never caught him sober,” Cooper recalled before adding, “But neither did I, so we were good together.” The two men seemed to get along well, embodying the exciting and revolutionary qualities of rock and roll. As it turns out, Cooper ended up doing it for a lot longer than Morrison ever had the chance.

Related Topics