The 4 legendary musicians who said they like The Doors

Formed in Los Angeles back in 1965, The Doors had a short career but very prolific, releasing many albums in a short period of time. Their incredible sound and lyrics were an influence to countless musicians worldwide, what led them to be considered one of the best American groups in history. The band was active with Jim Morrison on vocals from 1965 until 1971, when he died at the age of 27. But Ray Manzarek (Keyboards), Robby Krieger (Guitar) and John Densmore (Drums) continued as a trio releasing two more studio albums: “Other Voices” (1971) and “Full Circle” (1972), which had Manzarek and Krieger on vocals.

Over the decades many famous musicians praised the band and Rock and Roll Garage selected the 4 legendary musicians who said they like The Doors.

The 4 legendary musicians who said they like The Doors

David Bowie

One of the most versatile musicians of all time, David Bowie also had a broad musical taste, which included The Doors. In a radio interview made available by Raised On Radio (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage), the musician listed the track “Love Street”, released on Doors’ 1968 album “Waiting For The Sun” as one of his favorites and explained why the track was so important in his opinion.

“It’s a big gray out today. But I’ve got some water and I’ve got a bunch of records. So I think if I was walking outside at the moment I would like to be walking on this street. It’s ‘Love Street’ by The Doors. A commanding performer (Jim Morrison). I remember seeing him once. I think it was the Roundhouse when they came to London the first time,” David Bowie said.

Carlos Santana

The legendary guitarist Carlos Santana not only likes The Doors, he actually said the group is one of his favorite ones. Talking with Guitar World in 2021, he was asked if the messages of the music made in the 60s were still being heard nowadays. The musician replied, saying: “Yes. When I close my eyes and I play, I always think of The Doors, which is one of my favourite bands. I love The Doors more than anyone or anything.”

“There’s something about The Doors and Light My Fire and Robby Krieger. I guess he was listening to Ali Akbar Khan and also Ravi Shankar. But The Doors is the ultimate garage band.”

Santana was then asked if music has the power to make the world a better place. He replied gaving The Doors as an example. “Yes, absolutely. If they played more music by The Doors or John Coltrane in elevators, shopping malls, radio. Music reminds people that we are divine. No matter what your mind says or what the media says. A ‘media mind’ is not necessarily good for you. Sometimes you turn off the TV and you can hear the clouds moving, the birds chirping, children laughing,” Carlos Santana said.

The guitarist was lucky enough to have recorded with the late The Doors’ keyboardist Ray Manzarek. Santana invited the musician to play on his version of “Riders On The Storm”. The track was on his 2010 album “Guitar Heaven”, which also featured Linkin Park’s singer Chester Bennington.

In 2017, Santana played many The Doors songs like “Back Door Man“, “Roadhouse Blues” and “Riders On The Storm” at the Founders Award.

Alice Cooper

Besides being a fan of The Doors, Alice Cooper actually had the chance to hang out with the band and Jim Morrison back in the late 60s, since his band opened for them. When Rolling Stone magazine asked him to list the singers that he considered the best of all time, he chose Jim Morrison for the position number 19. He still pays tribute to the late vocalist when he is touring with the Hollywood Vampires that often includes The Doors tracks on their setlist. They have already played live tracks like “Five To One” and “Break On Through”.

Talking with GQ Magazine back 2019, Cooper recalled how it was to go out with Morrison. “We opened for The Doors. So I got to know Jim and those guys pretty well. Robby Krieger was – and still is – a good friend of mine.”

He continued saying that he was not shocked when Morrison died. “Jim Morrison, I was not shocked… because Jim was a very self-destructive human being. He was a consummate pro. When he was working in the studio he was on it. When he was on stage he was as good as anybody ever. But away from that he was different. So I wasn’t surprised about that. Even though his death was an accident,” Alice Cooper said.

The singer said in 2022 to Classic Rock that once he talked with Morrison on the phone and The Doors frontman asked him what he was doing and he said: “Oh, I don’t know, man. I woke up this morning and got myself a beer.” Line that ended up on the classic song “Roadhouse Blues”, featured on The Doors’ 1970 album “Morrison Hotel”.

In an interview in Helsinki, Finland made by Heli Nevakare (Rockstop) back in 1991 (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage), the late legendary Ramones vocalist Joey Ramone talked about some of his favorite bands of all time and one of them was The Doors. He then gave his opinion on the band’s biographical movie that was released in 1991. “I guess I like it. I’m glad it was made. And I’m glad that Oliver Stone did it, you know what I mean? I’m glad they are being introduced to it (younger generations).”

“You kind of have to take a step back to take a step ahead, you know what I mean? To make great music in the future you kind of have to go back to the late 50s, 60s and 70s. Because the music now is pretty much not very authentic,” Joey Ramone said.

The Ramones covered The Doors classic track “Take It As It Comes” on their 1992 album “Mondo Bizarro”.