The Doors: When the Music's Over: The Stories Behind Every Song [Paperback]

Chuck Crisafulli (Author), Dave DiMartino (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 17, 2000 | Series: Stories Behind Every Song

The Doors continue to be one of the world's most popular and influential rock bands. But hitched as they were to the unsteady genius of Jim Morrison, the Doors were much more than merely a rock band. In The Doors: Strange Days, Chuck Crisafulli conveys the intellectual energy and inspiration behind the songs of the Doors and the writing of Jim Morrison and Robby Krieger, recalling the specific time and place - Southern California in the '60s - in which the songs were created. The Doors: Strange Days spans the band's entire career, including the albums recorded after Jim Morrison's death. Many witnesses to the Doors' history have been interviewed for this book, including college friends, professional acquaintances, and musical contemporaries. From the explosive first single, "Break on Through," to their biggest hit, "Light My Fire," as well as the songs of the cryptic final album, An American Prayer, Crisafulli delves into the stories behind the songs that attest to the Doors' lasting impact.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (July 17, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560252669
• ISBN-13: 978-1560252665
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #904,033 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

CHUCK CRISAFULLI is a veteran entertainment journalist and author, most recently of Go to Hell: A Heated History of the Underworld, and Me and a Guy Named Elvis, with Jerry Schilling.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, Visually Enjoyable Book., August 6, 2002

By 

Mr. Fellini "Fellini" (Orange County, California United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Doors: When the Music's Over: The Stories Behind Every Song (Paperback)

"When The Music's Over" is a great book dealing with the stories behind The Doors' songs. It is very well written with a deep insight into the music and legacy of Jim Morrison. Part of this is due to the fact that the book's consultant, Dave MiMartino is a big fan (he was even present at the infamous 1969 Miami concert where Morrison was accused of exposing himself in a pre-Marilyn Manson age). But those who look inside the book itself will be surprised that it is not just about the songs, it compiles comments by critics, poets, rockers and is a neat visual history of the band and its music. We get in detail stories behind the rise of the band, the impact they had on the L.A. scene even before they became famous. It closely looks at the influences Morrison had in life like poets in the tradition of Rimbaud and ancient shamanistic religions. "When The Music's Over" is a testament of the The Doors' importance in popular music, the book also goes into the period when the band still tried to release albums even after Morrison died (there is an interesting piece on how Iggy Pop sang "L.A. Woman" at a Morrison death anniversary event at the Whiskey A Go-Go in 1974). Visually this is an awesome read, there are photos for every subject and name, great shots of The Doors performing and of Morrison acting-out the theatrical touches so common today in rock music. And the writing done about each song is really good, with deep insight into the lyrics and inspirations. Immediately you feel like listening to each and every song. This is worth the price, there have been cases where the book has great pictures but bad writing as was the case with "Dark Star," which had some valuable photos but the author seemed more resentful towards Morrison and his art than someone who would actually wanna write a book about it. Doors music is timeless and never loses it's power, on any given year, month or day you will find a rock band weather popular or underground, play one of their songs. They have spawned many styles, theatrics, ideas and imitators. "When The Music's Over" is must for any Doors fan, rock fanatic or someone looking for a history behind a music that changed them, it proves that the music is indeed, not over.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good insight into classic songs!, January 28, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Doors: When the Music's Over: The Stories Behind Every Song (Paperback)

It took a while to get this book but I am glad that I did. It's an excellent study of the inspiration behind some of the greatest songs ever heard. The writing is rather simple and is a little bland but there is no denyting the excitement one gets from reading this informative account on one of the greatest bands Rock and Roll has ever seen! If you are interested in The Doors' music than this book is a good place to start.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, January 22, 2002

By 

asdfasdf5656w (Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Doors: When the Music's Over: The Stories Behind Every Song (Paperback)

Anyone interested in the Doors will love this book. As the title says, it has stories about each song-- how they developed, who wrote them, who they're about, etc. Plenty of good pictures as well. Plus a chronology and discography of the Doors.