On March 1, 1969, Jim Morrison and the Doors performed one of the most talked about concerts in the history of rock music at the Dinner Key Auditorium in Miami where he allegedly exposed himself to the crowd. Almost 18 months later Morrison was in court fighting back against charges of indecency and on Sept 20, 1970, he was formally sentenced by the court for the act.
The crux of the case hinged on whether or not Morrison actually revealed his genitalia to the 10,000 people in attendance that night. Whether or not he did was a sticking point between the defense and the prosecution at the time, and Doors fans for the many decades since. The group’s guitarist Robby Krieger has been quick to point out that there are no pictures at all to validate the claim, despite the fact that nearly 500 photos were entered into the record as evidence during the trial. But accounts from those who were present for the show tell a different tale.
But, check this out, it was on this day, Sept. 20, 1970, that Morrison was acquitted on charges of lewd and lascivious behavior, but was found guilty of exposing himself during a concert at The Dinner Key Auditorium in Coconut Grove a year and a half earlier. At his trial at the Dade County Courthouse in Miami, Judge Goodman sentenced Morrison to six months hard labor and a $500 fine for public exposure and sixty days hard labor for profanity. The sentence was appealed, but Morrison was never brought to trial, as he would die in Paris France on July 3, 1971.
Lastly, since Morrison never served his sentence, we’ll never know what his “Hard labor” might have been, but in as late as 1968, there is evidence of Chain gangs, work farms and sweat box’s throughout Florida and the Southern U.S.
Meanwhile, check out this clip of “The lewd night in question” back in 1969
What do you think? Did you ever see The Doors? Did Jim ever whip it out?
”People ARE Strange”
This has nothing to do w Jim Morrison BUT I’m in London and last night saw the show “Tina” about the fabulous ageless Tina Turner who was big in the sixties w rageaholic Ike. After she split she couldn’t get a record deal. Capitol Records (according to this show) said there’s no way they’d sign a “40-yr old nigger.”She played Vegas which she referred to as the graveyard for music artists. Ike prohibited her from singing any of the songs they wrote together so she was flat broke and had. to find new material. In walks manager Roger Davies who whisks her to London & restarts her career w “What’s Love Got to do With It?” In the ‘80s. That’s why this fantastic musical opened here instead of Broadway. The audience was mostly boomers but it made us all feel young again. I think there r three leads who interchange as Tina & she green lighted them all. By the way, who knows in what key is the Big Ben chime? And what if Fred had taken Morrison’s tangerine offer? That would be a story to tell!
Hey Denise, you’re preaching to The choir when you mention Tina Turner here at SMS! So you got our attention! Only one question, was there any talk of bringing a “TINA” company to L.A. ? Cuz, we gotta see it!
Latstly, We loved your question about “Big Ben” What key does ole’ Ben chime in? Curious minds need to know! So, please come back and tell us more and fill us in!
Always great when you drop in!
Thanx Denise,
Rick
Maybe someone can figure this out. Also, Rick, who do you suppose holds the copyright to this catchy little tune? I mean really, you hear it everywhere!
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/63/BBC_World_Service_Big_Ben_1-1-2009.ogg
Hey Jim…Sorry I can’t help, I can’t open the file, so I can’t listen!
Not important. Just a little bit of my usual nonsense. The link works for me. You might try to copy and paste into browser, but it is probably not worth the effort.
The 1st “ROCK ALBUM” billboard I ever saw was The DOORS on Sunset Blvd. in ’66 right after H.S. graduation. I was SOOOOO CLUELESS at that time. But hearing the “long extended version of LIGHT MY FIR while driving my car was surreal! I never saw them live. Just the Oliver Stone film with the classic concert scene which did all it could to ” allude” to the audience that HE DID wip it out!! So I always thought he did! Well so much for fiction!
Thanx “Mr. Shoe” … the wood
Hey Ron Wood,
So glad you brought this up, YES, The Doors were the first musical artist to have a Billboard on The Sunset Strip promoting their debut release! For our younger readers and the uninitiated, this was a huge thing and had never been done before! The “erection” of the Billboard was met with curiosity, praise and of course OUTRAGE! At that point in time it was okay to have billboards about Alcohol, Cigarettes etc. But a Rock Band? NO WAY! However, we loved it. The locals on the strip HATED it, but it was big news, ‘round the city, country and the world!
And, you’re right, it didn’t get better than driving down the Strip, listening to “Light My Fire” under the dim light of The Doors Billboard!
Thanx Woody,
Shoe
Saw The Doors on numerous occasions around the L.A. area but never saw the big guy’s pee-pee.
Hey Fred,
Okay…..”Never saw the big guy’s pee-pee” Gotta Be The SMS quote of the week, if not the year! But, we’re glad you shared ( we think ) Meanwhile, did you see The Doors at The Hullabaloo Club on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood?
Or where?
Always great when you drop by!
Thanx,
Rick
Hi Rick,
I saw them a few times at The Hullabaloo and also at the Santa Monica Civic Center where I was able to get backstage before the concert. Jim Morrison sauntered up to me and asked if I would like some of his tangerine. I politely refused, not knowing what it might be laced with. I was only 16 or 17 at the time, years before I took my first ‘trip’.
Hey Fred,
Not sure if you knew, but my band The Spydres (pronounced Spiders) shared a bill with The Doors in the Summer Of ‘66! Opening for them at The Whysky and The Hullabaloo Club, so, it’s likely e were there at the same time! furthermore, at The Hullabaloo, we shared a dressing room with The Doors and I’ll admit…..”quote” I never saw the big guy’s pee-pee”
Additionally, your story about “The Tangerene is nearly a direct quote from the song “Hello Hello” by Sopwith Camel….. “Hey would you like some of my Tangerene”? Remember?
Are we missing something here?
Regardless, sounds like you made the right decision.
Thanx Fred, for always adding great stuff to the commentary!
Rick