'We didn't sit down and have a meeting to say, 'Hey, we want to change the minds of people.' We didn't say it but we enjoyed doing it. We could see it happen, we could feel it in concerts, that sociologically, besides musically, it was affecting people. And what a high that is.' - John Densmore
Sourced from hundreds of hours of archival interviews and interwoven with brand-new commentary, together Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, and Robby Krieger tell the story of The Doors in a manuscript of nearly 50,000 words.
In Night Divides the Day, the band trace their development from their beginnings in Los Angeles, playing local clubs on the Sunset Strip, to pivotal moments in their career, including the infamous performance at the Dinner Key Auditorium in Miami, as well as the releases of their biggest songs such as "Light My Fire," "The End" and "Riders on the Storm."
Contributing to the band's narrative are those who were part of their journey. They include Van Morrison, who while in Them was supported by The Doors during their early days at the Whisky a Go Go; Elektra president Jac Holzman; friend and filmmaker Frank Lisciandro; photographers Henry Diltz, Paul Ferrara and Kate Simon, who met with Jim in Paris in the months before his passing; the Turtles' Mark Volman; the Whisky's booker Ronnie Haran; and famous fans of The Doors such as Slash, Nile Rodgers, Jim Kerr, Nancy Sinatra, and many more.
Night Divides the Day also touches on the story of The Doors after the death of Jim Morrison. With the release of three further albums and the band's epic "The End" being used in Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now, John, Robby and Ray introduced a whole new generation to their music. Featuring a foreword by Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic, and an afterword by maestro Gustavo Dudamel, Night Divides the Day examines the far-reaching influence and importance of The Doors today.
THE AUTHORS
NIGHT DIVIDES THE DAY
'I think The Doors have remained popular because of the amount of great songs. We never let a song on an album unless we all loved it.' - Robby Krieger
The Doors' arrival on the rock scene in 1967 marked not only the start of a string of hit singles and albums that would become stone classics, but also of something much bigger - a new and deeper relationship between creators and audience. Refusing to be mere entertainers, the Los Angeles quartet relentlessly challenged, confronted and inspired their fans, leaping headfirst into the heart of darkness. Though they've had scores of imitators, there's never been another band quite like them. And 60 years after their debut album, The Doors' music and legacy are more influential than ever.
With an intoxicating, genre-blending sound, provocative and uncompromising songs, and the mesmerising power of singer Jim Morrison's poetry and presence, The Doors had a transformative impact not only on popular music but on popular culture.
Morrison's mystical command of the frontman role may be the iconic heart of The Doors, but the group's extraordinary power would hardly have been possible without the virtuosic keyboard tapestries of Ray Manzarek, the gritty, expressive fretwork of guitarist Robby Krieger and the supple, dynamically rich grooves of drummer John Densmore. From baroque art-rock to jazz-infused pop to gutbucket blues, the band's instrumental triad could navigate any musical territory with aplomb - and all three contributed mightily as songwriters.
THE COLLECTOR COPIES
NIGHT DIVIDES THE DAY
Strictly limited to 1,650 numbered copies, the Collector copies are hand-signed by John Densmore and Robby Krieger.
The Collector copies are quarter-bound in apple leather with hand-marbled cover artwork inspired by the band's 1960s concert posters. These copies are housed in a handmade clamshell box, the design of which is inspired by one of The Doors' official flight cases, once owned by their road manager, Vince Treanor.
Each copy is accompanied by a replica 24-page programme from the band's 1968 tour and a booklet reproducing the never-before-seen master tape boxes of six of The Doors' albums. Sourced from The Doors' vault, the tape boxes feature fascinating historical details such as the original notes of The Doors' recording engineer, Bruce Botnick.
Completing the set is an exclusive 7-inch vinyl record. This specially created picture disc features rare demo recordings of "Hello, I Love You" and "Moonlight Drive." Both tracks have been mastered by Bruce Botnick, especially for this edition.
Collector Edition: 1,650 numbered copies
Signed by: John Densmore and Robby Krieger
Binding: Quarter-bound in apple leather with a cover inspired by 1960s concert posters
Box: Clamshell box inspired by one of The Doors' official flight cases
7" Vinyl: Rare demos of "Hello, I Love You" and "Moonlight Drive" mastered by Bruce Botnick
