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“Unexplainable” Photo Snapped at Jim Morrison’s Grave

10/16/09, 10:10 am EST

Here’s one for fans of the late, great Unsolved Mysteries (and the still-crankin’, not quite as great Ghost Hunters): A photograph taken in 1997 at the French cemetery where Doors frontman Jim Morrison is buried features a ghostly apparition that appears to be Morrison. Are you with us? We may lose you here: the photo has been deemed authentic, the U.K.’s Daily Express reports (via Spinner). The snapshot shows rock historian Brett Meisner standing next to Morrison’s grave at the Pere Lachaise cemetery, and in the background, there’s a white figure with its arms seemingly outstretched. Apparently, Morrison did break on through to the other side.

The Doors’ lasting legacy: photos.

The ghostly image went unnoticed by Meisner until 2002, when he spotted the strange blur and had the photo analyzed. In a book called Ghosts Caught on Film 2: Photographs of the Unexplained, researchers say the photo was in no way manipulated, and also rule out any possibility that it’s merely a trick of the light. The image itself is “unexplainable,” researchers said.

Meisner says now that he regrets going to the Pere Lachaise cemetery because he’s been plagued by eerie events ever since. Meisner tells the Daily Express that his marriage broke down and a close friend died of a drug overdose, and now he’s haunted by people who approach him to say that Morrison’s ghost is haunting them. “At first it was sort of interesting to see how many people felt a spiritual bond with Jim and the photo, but now the whole vibe seems negative,” Meisner said.

As anyone who read one of the many books on Morrison or saw Oliver Stone’s The Doors would tell you, Morrison believed he encountered the ghost of a Native American after witnessing a car accident in his youth in an incident that deeply impacted the singer. In fact, the lyrics to “Peace Frog” feature the lines, “Indians scattered on dawn’s highway bleeding, ghosts crowd the young child’s fragile eggshell mind,” which was Morrison’s account of the encounter. So it’s fitting that nearly three decades after his death, Morrison would appear as a specter in a photograph.

OK, OK, there’s absolutely no way to prove whether Morrison’s ghost is actually traipsing around his grave site, but we predict the Lizard King’s resting place is about to get a lot more visitors in the next few months.

Related Stories:

Jim Morrison’s Death May Be Reinvestigated
Doors’ Final New York Concerts Emerge as Six-Disc Collection
The Doors Owe $5 Million to Densmore, Morrison Estate


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Comments

Coyote | 10/16/2009, 10:47 am EST

To call Brett Meisner a “rock historian” is like calling a stripper a “social networking expert”.

CM | 10/16/2009, 11:01 am EST

Hmmm.. I wonder if the photographer was wearing a Jim Morrison t-shirt that, due to the flash, would be captured in a reflection on the stone?

And btw… a marriage breakdown and a friend dying of an overdose are not “eerie events”. And crazy people coming up to you after you’ve contributed to a book about ghosts, also not eerie.

Doors Fan | 10/16/2009, 11:39 am EST

This is garbage.
And dude, I feel sorry for you but your marriage did not break down because of this photo.
This photo is a hoax.
It is funny that Jim appeared in his “rock god” form and not the bloated alcoholic figure he was at the end.
Let Jim RIP….

Meg | 10/16/2009, 11:57 am EST

Old news. This photo and story have been around for a while.

This Is It | 10/16/2009, 12:16 pm EST

Can’t wait till Jacko comes back.

Jim | 10/16/2009, 12:23 pm EST

That is so cool that you got this pic of Trey Anastasio at the gravesite of Jim Morrison

Pffffft.... | 10/16/2009, 12:41 pm EST

Bad luck dude. I’ve got a picture of the ghost of Janis Joplin eating a corn dog at a tractor pull in Alabama and my marriage is fine…

Fake or not. | 10/16/2009, 1:08 pm EST

He could haunt my house anytime he wanted to.

cristian | 10/16/2009, 1:20 pm EST

seemed to be imitating Jackson … “Michael, I’m waiting!”

... | 10/16/2009, 4:15 pm EST

oh man this is sad…

Crabs | 10/16/2009, 5:49 pm EST

Does anyone notice if you zoom in or look closely what appears to be another head, possibly of the guy in the picture (or of Trey Anastasio) right above where the right arm of the “ghost” of Jim meets the tombstone??

Rennie Stride | 10/16/2009, 5:57 pm EST

What utter garbage, perpetuated by the garbage-brained.
Though, if Mr. Meisner is reaping his own bad karma, may I remind him that Jim married a witch, and one who’s pretty angry with all this sort of thing at that…just sayin’.

Anonymous | 10/16/2009, 7:37 pm EST

Hey, whats Trey Anastasio doing there?

Lester | 10/16/2009, 7:41 pm EST

Is this the same Brett Meisner whole spent 24 hours in the Alta Cienega motel room #32 battling the gjost of Morrison on youtube? Guy cracks me up.

burnt pizza | 10/17/2009, 7:44 am EST

since i read this article i fell asleep with a pizza in the oven now this place stinks . thanks a lot morrison

coachmaddog | 10/17/2009, 10:52 am EST

I didn’t care about Morrison when he was alive. Still don’t.

Dave | 10/17/2009, 12:18 pm EST

Morrison is/was a cultural icon. His contributions to the rock and roll world are cemented forever in the hearts and minds of millions.

Anonymous | 10/18/2009, 2:39 am EST

this is all a publicity stunt for phish who are going to cover a doors record on halloween.

Bruins72 | 10/18/2009, 9:54 am EST

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

Liz_King_jr | 10/19/2009, 2:55 pm EST

Jim is the man, will always be the man. He is a rock god, and will never be forgotten by anyone who knows what rock is all about. Long live the Lizard King.

Liz_King_jr | 10/19/2009, 2:58 pm EST

Jim “married” a witch, on vast amounts of various drugs..it was fun, not a real marriage, Patricia lives in fantasy land. Jim was into Pamela, not Patricia. Just wanted to clarify that, just because Jim and Pam are dead and cant back themselves up, I will.

Luna | 10/19/2009, 6:12 pm EST

Give me a break. People will see what they want to see. Like looking at clouds and seeing things in them. Same thing here. There is nothing that even remotely looks like Jim Morrison.

bob cragg | 10/19/2009, 6:51 pm EST

ummm…the lyrics posted would be from the ‘ghost song’

Anonymous | 10/20/2009, 12:03 am EST

Pffffft….your comment had me rollin for 15 minutes. Classic!!

barmaid | 10/20/2009, 12:38 am EST

nice i love this situation hahaha
but sorry for ur weeding but im not sure is true and i lve see picture like that because people goin too a crazy world:p
dont worry everybody dead one day hahahaha

Liz_King_jr | 10/20/2009, 3:30 pm EST

One way or another, the story behind it means nothing. The fact of the matter is that if anyone is possible of this “spiritual work” its going to be the one and only Jim Morrison. If you are too stubborn to have no imagination at all, then this story means nothing to you and your wasting only your own time replying.

Morrison’s grave is a place for inspiration and if his music, poems or way of life didnt inspire you, then keep your comments to yourself. Because nobody cares, at all…

It would also be nice if whoever vandalized his grave and took his sculpture head years ago returned it.

Michael McDonald | 10/20/2009, 4:49 pm EST

Bob Cragg, you’re wrong. The lyrics actually ARE from ‘Peace Frog.’

leanne | 10/20/2009, 6:51 pm EST

only small minded or scared people would mock this!i hope to god theres something out there other than this world.im not saying the photo is real people will do crazy things these days for publicity.im justsaying have a little faith cause who knows u could be on the other side screaming for someone to notice you!!!!!!

Jampool | 10/21/2009, 7:33 pm EST

If Brett Meisner says it’s real then there is no reason on earth to doubt the veracity of this story. The guy is the Walter Cronkite of rock journalism.

love.street.1965 | 10/22/2009, 3:28 am EST

I loved jim morrison and always will. May he R.I.P. I doubt the photo is real..but he could be around paris in his spirit..who knows. When I die, I look forward to meeting him.

Anonymous | 10/23/2009, 11:46 pm EST

it does look like a naked upperbody and those ugly ass tight leather pants he wore….i dont know but im thinking i belive this think about it people what really does happen when you die? also alot of people that have passed in the past that used halucinigons had reports of seeing thiers ghosts as well…i think its reall but then again jim morrison can blow me

Bum | 10/25/2009, 9:38 am EST

“Love Street” is really Rothdell Trail in Laurel Canyon. Sometimes what we belive is really something else…
I have been to see Morrison’s grave in person. They now have a security guard there night & day.
I was disappointed- hoped to be alone with Jim!

Liz_King_jr | 10/26/2009, 10:10 am EST

you can thank people who vandalized the grave for that.

sorry “anonymous” jim isnt into that, but thanks for your unintelligent comment

Deadwood | 11/5/2009, 2:32 pm EST

You should all get a life. Brett Meisner is a respected Hollywood agent, and an authority on the history of rock.

Wolf | 11/9/2009, 7:32 am EST

I’m pretty sure that line from “peace frog” also appears in “ghost song” if not its a similar line

JimSmith | 11/13/2009, 11:15 am EST

I’m not convinced that this is real at all – although it does look pretty cool. I’ve seen un-cropped versions of this photo and find it suspicious that the primary focus of the photo is not the intended subject(s). Instead, the “ghost” is at the center of the photo while both Meisner and Morrison’s final resting place are relegated to a supporting position off to the left side.

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