Music Lovers

Doors drummer John Densmore: In Search of the Soul of Music

Since the end of the Doors nearly fifty years ago, John Densmore has made headlines more as an author than as a musician. He has written two books about his former band—his autobiography "My Life with Jim Morrison and the Doors" sold nearly half a million copies worldwide—and has contributed to Rolling Stone and the Los Angeles Times. Now, he has taken the time for a completely different kind of reflection, exploring the special something that defines creativity through his countless encounters with other artists.

In "Music Lovers," Densmore seeks the soul behind moving music or profound thoughts, the mystical force that allows a song to touch many people in various ways across the boundaries of time and place. He primarily questions who has left a lasting impression on him and which experiences with the music of others have influenced and inspired him.

This has resulted in a poignant collection of memories, featuring numerous iconic rock stars. Jerry Lee Lewis, Willie Nelson, Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Paul Simon, Van Morrison—the list of those who shared their thoughts with him on the spiritual energy of music is virtually endless. However, two musicians play a particularly special role in this book: his bandmates Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek, whom Densmore remembers with great fondness and to whose creative power he pays tribute once again.