John Densmore Opens the Door on the Real Story at Santa Barbara Museum of Art
The Doors Drummer Riffs on His New Book, ‘The Doors Unhinged’
John Densmore took the spotlight at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA) last week to celebrate the release of his new book, The Doors Unhinged, with a discussion and Q&A. The legendary rock drummer explored the rise and downfall of the Doors and shared heartfelt life advice. Above all, he emphasized the importance of preserving Jim Morrison’s legacy as a pioneer in counterculture music and poetry.
With white hair and weathered skin, the 79-year-old Densmore walked onto the SBMA’s Mary Craig Auditorium stage accompanied by novelist Andrew Winer — and a conga drum. “I’m nervous,” Densmore said, a surprising admission from one of rock’s most famed drummers to a room of less than 200 people. Letting out a small laugh and fiddling with the drum as a crutch, he set the tone for the next hour of lighthearted yet intimate conversation.
Between playing snippets of songs and delivering off-the-cuff jokes, Densmore read excerpts from the book, focusing on a section about the lawsuit brought against him by fellow Doors members Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger. While Manzarek and Krieger wanted to commercialize the music, Densmore was adamant about honoring Morrison’s wishes after his death.
