1: Break On Through

Had singer Jim Morrison of The Doors not died in mysterious circumstances at the tender age of 27 in 1971, he would have celebrated his 80th birthday this December.

In the first of three programmes, Paul Gambaccini mixes the music and poetry of the man with the influences that moulded the self-proclaimed ‘The Lizard King’.

Paul first encountered Morrison in 1967 when, as a young music director on a New Hampshire radio station, he eagerly opened The Doors’ first single ‘Break On Through’. He followed his career from beginning to end and, to this day, visits Jim’s grave in Paris.

In addition to sharing memories and observations, Paul delves into the BBC archive:

* ‘CULT HEROES: JIM MORRISON'
Tony Slattery looks back at Morrison’s volatile career
[BBC Radio 5 1- 1990

* ‘LIKE A ROLLING STONE’
The life, work and lasting influence on Jim Morrison of French poet Arthur Rimbaud.
[BBC Radio 4 - 2006

Producer: Mik Wilkojc

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in December 2018.