Photo: Persson/Redferns/Retna

Born December 8th, 1943 (died July 3rd, 1971) Key Tracks "Light My Fire," "Break On Through (to the Other Side)," "L.A. Woman" Influenced Iggy Pop, Ian Astbury

The difference between Jim Morrison and Elvis Presley, Patti Smith says, "is that Elvis had humility. I don't think Jim had it." Still, Morrison, who was at least as influenced by Frank Sinatra as he was by Presley, was capable of surprising delicacy: On "People Are Strange" and "Light My Fire," he lets his baritone glide, crooning just above a whisper. Otherwise, Morrison's vocals were all mood, attitude and sex — he was grounded in roadhouse-blues hollering, but able to project the dreaminess of a mystical incantation ("Riders on the Storm") or the sleaze of a boozy pickup ("L.A. Woman"). And on the Doors' hardest rock songs — "Break On Through (to the Other Side)" stands out — his unhinged aggression presaged punk rock. "It was thrilling, sensual, powerful and experimental," said Perry Farrell.

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