Jim Morrison's "Paris Journal"
Maker
Jim Morrison
(American, 1943 - 1971)
Date1971
ClassificationsMusic
DimensionsOverall: 10 1/4 x 7 3/4 in. (26 x 19.7 cm)
DescriptionA marble composition notebook with unlined paper containing over 100 pages of writings in Morrison's hand in blue, black and red ink, predominantly ball-point; with additional small sketches and corrections in Morrison's hand. The notebook is contained in a gilt leather clamshell case with handwritten note from Graham Nash tipped in to cases cover reading: "Handwritten book by Jim Morrison - given to me by Bill Siddons in the 80's Graham Nash. P.S. Bill Siddons was the man who picked up Jim's body in Paris. He was also my manager." The green notebook's cover has "COMPOSITIONS" and "Paris Journal" written in Jim Morrison's hand.The notebook dates from Morrison's time in Paris from March 11th until his death on July 3rd, 1971. One entry dates the notebook specifically to June 30th, four days before Morrison's death. Morrison wrote on a wide range of topics including art, photography, poetry, perception, philosophy, cinema, alchemy and figures like Vermeer, Eadweard Muybridge, Marcel Proust, Lee Harvey Oswald and others. Extensive notes, doodles and revisions all in Morrison's hand offer an unparalleled glimpse into the troubled musician's mind. Morrison's final entry reads: "Arts is a compromise, a visit midland, it attempts to rejoin subject & ob[ject] by revealing w/pure eye. Art can suspend the separation [sic] of perceived & perceiver. Beauty is therefore an absolute, rooted in disinterested perception - objects devoid of all purpose & meaning."
The first 14 pages (double-sided) comprise a single epic handwritten poem by Morrison. The last page of the notebook features a second poem by Morrison.
The poem begins “So much forgotten already/ So much forgotten/ So much to forget”. Morrison evokes Paris (“The candle-forests of Notre Dame”), and drugs (“I hope the Chinese junkies/ get you/ and they will/ for the poppy/ rules the world”). Other notable stanzas seem to evoke Morrison’s personal philosophy (“A man searching/ for lost paradise/ can seem a fool/ to those who never/ sought the other world”) and feelings about music (“Give me songs/ to sing/ & emerald dreams/ to dream/ & I’ll give you love/ unfolding”).
Jim Morrison (1943-1971) was an American singer, songwriter, and poet, known for being the lead vocalist of the Doors. Morrison embodied the counterculture movement of the 1960s, with an iconic stage presence and deep lyrical output. Morrison and keyboard player Ray Manzarek founded the Doors in 1965 in Los Angeles, and the band's debut self-titled album came in 1967, with the single "Light My Fire" driving the group's popularity.
Morrison released six albums with the Doors, as the band solidified themselves in the psychedelic and acid rock genres. Morrison's addiction issues caused erratic behavior, which bled into public performances. Following the release of L.A. Woman in 1971, Morrison moved to Paris, France, where he died on July 3, 1971.
Morrison typified the rock star image, and served as an influence for frontmen of future groups. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, as a member of the Doors.
