Tuesday, 3 July 2012

Mr. Mojo Risin'


Today, July 3rd marks the 41st death anniversary of the legend Jim Morrison, lead singer and lyricist of The Doors.

Photo from The Doors' facebook page


For those who doesn’t know who the hell is this hunk of a man flashing his bare chest and flowing mane in a classic black and white pose, here’s a few things about him.

Of course I am not that old to have lived during his time and be a witness of his genius and overflowing charisma. But as I have mentioned earlier, he is a legend. And anyone who is interested in the past can dig up a few things about legends.

Born James Douglas Morrison, Mr. Mojo Risin’ (an anagram of his name) has influenced generations of rock stars and fans. His songs and poetry lived so much longer than his 27 year existence.

      He is the man behind the classics Break on Through, People are Strange, Riders on the Storm and of course Light My Fire.

He is so much ahead of his time. He lived in an era where music should follow a certain pattern which he so refused to conform to. He sings/performs in a manner and attitude that he appears possessed by an entity or something. His poetry is deep and meaningful but very modern and sensual. Who would have thought that time that such an artistic take on expression will be the trend for rock musicians after three four decades? He is a f****** genius I tell you.



And he is goddamn hot! He has slept with a handful of groupies, had short lived flings with celebrities and graced several steamy photo sessions. He has a wife Pam (common-law marriage) but they didn’t have any child, but soon after his death there are twenty or so claims of paternity though none of them were proven. I wonder where his offspring are and whatever happened to them, if there are any.



He is part of what rock culture considers “27 club” or the “forever 27” like other rock icons such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain and last year Amy Winehouse joined. Like him, they all died at 27.



His death was reported as a cardiac arrest but most speculate that it may be associated with substance overdose. An autopsy was not performed hence up until now, nobody knows the real reason of his death.

He lies forever remembered in a grave in France, which later became a tourist attraction. Too bad the bust made by a Croatian sculptor was stolen in 1988.


     
I have dug a treasure!

Last Saturday, I attended a rock event in DasmariƱas, Cavite. One of the sponsors was Paper Monster Press, an indie transgenre publishing outfit based in Cavite. They set up a booth of for sale whatnots. This includes some artworks, a few CDs and some old books on various literary works. Being the bookworm of a person that I am, I browsed through the books and found a vintage one: Jim Morrison’s poetry book, The Lords and The New Creatures Poems. Here's a snap of the book from my office computer.



I have yet to read the book, maybe set this week but I have previewed some verses. They are modern and realistic. Poetry can be really boring to read but not his. They are expressive as well as entertaining. Poems usually have meaning hidden somewhere in the outer space and you have had to have a rocket brain just to understand them, but his works aren’t those kind.

They are not shallow, they are deep and meaningful but wouldn’t stress your brain out.

In short, they aren’t for nerds.

I found out that The Lords and the New Creatures Poems is his first published poetry book and was published just before he died. Making it the only book of his poetry ever printed during his lifetime. And I am so goddamned lucky to have a vintage copy!

Actually, what really happened is that I don’t have any money for the book that night ‘cause I only have enough for a liter of beer. Miss Ayn of Paper Monster Press had been so kind to trust me and let me pay it the next time we see each other.

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