Photos: Jim Morrison, the legendary frontman of The Doors

It's been over 50 years since the tragic death of Jim Morrison. The frontman of The Doors had a massive impact on rock and roll and many modern-day musicians. Join us as we take a look at the intense life and tragic death of this rock icon.

James Douglas Morrison came into the world on December the 8th, 1943. He was an "army brat" who grew up moving from base to base, as his father was an officer in the Navy.

(Photo: State Archives of Florida)

When Jim was a teenager, he and his parents, sister, and brother were able to put down roots in Alexandria, Virginia.

Following his graduation from high school in Alexandria, Jim studied at St. Petersburg Junior College and Florida State University.

(Photo: State Archives of Florida)

While studying at FSU, Morrison began to show his rebellious side and was arrested for disorderly behaviour and being drunk in public while at a football game in 1963.

In 1964, Jim moved to Los Angeles to attend the University of California (UCLA). At 22 years of age, he took film classes and struck up a friendship with classmate Ray Manzarek.

Even though Morrison was passionate about filmmaking, meeting Manzarek ended up taking him down the path to songwriter and singer.

The story goes that Ray and Jim knew each other from school but weren't really friends. One day they met by chance on a Venice beach and hit it off.

Ray Manzarek was an organist, Robbie Krieger a guitarist, and John Densmore, a drummer. Together the group decided they should form a band, and Morrison would be the singer. Thus, The Doors was born.

The group decided to name their band The Doors after a quote from one of Morrison's favourite poets, William Blake. Jim had long been an avid reader and a talented writer, although he was said to be shy about sharing his work.

The William Blake quote that inspired the band's name was: "If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear as it is, infinite." Morrison was known to say often, "there are things known and things unknown, and in between are the Doors."

The band quickly earned a long-term gig at Whiskey-a-Go-Go on Sunset Strip. The Doors developed a presence on stage, and soon talent scouts caught wind of the up-and-coming new group.

Jim Morrison was a huge component in making the group popular and attractive to agents. Jim's skin-tight trousers, sexually suggestive movements, and deep voice made him very popular with the audience.

The group was signed and released two albums in 1967: their first album 'The Doors' and their second 'Strange Days.'

Following the release of their first two albums, The Doors were launched into international fame. They released albums each year until Jim's untimely death. 'Waiting for the Sun' (1968), 'The Soft Parade' (1969), 'Morrison Hotel' (1970), 'Absolutely Live' (1970), and 'L.A. Woman' (1971).

Jim had always been very interested in Indigenous culture and the American deserts and gave himself a nickname for his alter-ego: the "Lizard King." Morrison wrote various songs referring to his reptilian self, such as 'Celebration of the Lizard.'

Jim Morrison and his bandmates were soon swept up with all that came with fame and the rock and roll lifestyle of the time. A world of parties, substance abuse, and drinking.

Jim struggled internally with the change of lifestyle despite seeming to embrace it fully from the outside. He developed a drinking problem and consumed far too many illegal substances. His addiction would eventually come to affect his ability to perform his best as an artist.

The fame also went to Morrison's head and caused problems for the group. Jim began to believe he was above the law and authority figures. This also caused strife among the band members, as Jim was said to have become somewhat of a dictator as his fame grew.

It all came to a head on March 1st, 1969. The Doors were set to perform at Dinner Key Auditorium in Coconut Grove, Florida. While performing in front of thousands of screaming fans, Morrison decided to flash his privates to the audience.

Superstar Jim didn't face any immediate consequences for his actions until Miami residents who were upset by his shenanigans went to the local police. As a result, a warrant was issued for Jim Morrison's arrest.

Image: Rolling Stone magazine

Morrison knew the time had finally come to submit to authority and he turned himself in to the FBI. The singer's trial was on August the 12th, 1970, and he was sentenced to six months hard labor for committing a misdemeanour for his profanity, indecent exposure and public drunkenness.

However, Morrison's attorney asked for and was granted a stay so as to appeal the conviction. Unfortunately, Jim Morrison did not live long enough to find out the results of his appeal.

Jim attempted to return to his passion for poetry and in 1970 published 'The Lords And The New Creatures.' He had self-published the book the year before, and this would be the only book of his writings published in his lifetime.

In 1971 Jim went to Paris to stay with his girlfriend, Pamela Courson. It was Pamela who found Jim dead in the bathtub on July the 3rd, 1971. Jim was just 27 years old.

Image: Sounds music newspaper

Pamela Courson could not give an accurate account of what happened at the time as she was under the influence of illegal substances. The fact that an autopsy was never performed, caused many to develop conspiracy theories regarding Morrison's death.

As an autopsy was not required by French law, doctors simply ruled that Jim died of heart failure. Some say that Jim Morrison died of alcohol poisoning, others that it was a heroin overdose. We will never know.

Jim Morrison was buried in Paris, France, at the Pere-Lachaise Cemetery. Both Morrison's death and funeral were kept a secret to avoid a bombardment of grieving fans. To this day, Jim Morrison's gravesite is one of the most visited places in Paris.