We're lucky to have former Doors road manager Vince Treanor here to answer fan questions and share some of his memories. Ask Vince about anything related to the equipment The Doors used, stage set-ups, specific concerts, the band after Jim's death, and working on the Oliver Stone movie.
Thanks so much for answering our questions. I hope you're entertained by our endless fascination with Jim Morrison.
I wanted to ask you this. If the band bypassed Bill Siddons and had decided to appoint you as manager of the band, do you think you would have any more success in handling Jim than you did as equipment manager??
Would you have been able to confront Jim about his destructive drinking and prevent the so sudden deteriation to Jim's physique??
Do you think you might have given Jimbo a good punch in the face and scare the "shit" out of him?? ))
Maybe then Jim would have finally pulled it together, with of course, the love and support of the friends around him (which I would think would include you)
Well not there are a lot of questions on this one.
I think one of the things that I might have done was have a serious discussion with the Boys about the situation and review the damage Jim had done. That would be both the financial as well as the reputation. It would be the financial that would get their attention.
Having done that I would have had a firside chat with Jim and made a few suggestions. Act out the lyrics and emotions all you want. Yell and scream to your hearts content. But do not drink before a show.
Again pointing out the money that he had cost himself and the other guys.
If the did not wirk then hit him with fines. Each succeeding drinking bout would cost him oney. So would lates and absence.
Above all get him help - IF HE WANTED IT. Remember that a person in Jims condition will not do much about the situation unless he is ready to. Of ocurse the ultimate promise was - any more poor performances and he can be looking for another job.
That would have put him on notice long before there was a hint of trouble and perhaps made him realize that he was out of control and it was not funny.
As far as physical conditioning. He had a fully paid member ship in the Bev Hills health club. He went once and never returned.
Ounch him in the face. A person hired to watch out for the interests of the group can hardly punch his employer and expect to stay employed too long. That tactic of sarcasm, contempt and disrespect was Siddons tactic and it did not work. Jim was defiant and belligerant.
Jim needed an incentive and the loss of income and the stage would have done it. He reveled in the public view. He needed the money for his life style.
It does come back to him wanting to get his system clean of drugs in any form and staying that way. You can lead the horse to water but he will not necessarily partake thereof.
I would have been much more considerate of Bill Graham and other promotors, less arrogant and more friendly. I would have treated my Road Manager with the respect he deserved and made him a partner as well as assistant. If anything happened to me, he, then would be able to function and carry the group through until I returned or was replaced.
I would have done a lot more promoting and merchandising. Music videos were non existant then but the clothing, program books with paid ads, record sales and poster sales could have generated a lot more income.
That is some of the changes I might have made. Did I pass?
Thanks, Vince. I'm sorry that Bill Siddons was such a jerk. I'm actually fascinated that in the books written about The Doors and Jim Morrison there's barely any interviews conducted with you. You shed light on part of the Doors history that should have been explored much more. I'm sorry you weren't selected to be manager of the Doors.
Jim respected you and he would have respected even more as manager. My, how the Doors history would have been different.
I am glad you appreciate the information. I understand that my reply has caused quite a stir though I cannot understand why. My cirticism of Siddons made a few people unhappy. Too bad, I should put it all out for them to read and see what happens then.
In the whiles do keep up with the Forum. There is a chat room available now, I understand and perhaps I can meet many of the loyal people there as well.
Sorry Vince but your spell as fantasy manager is laughable.....
hit Morrison with fines when he got pissed....tell him not to drink before a show.......thats a good one......of course you would have done that!!!
Calling Siddons a jerk is unfair....he was a kid employed to do what the band wanted and he did it.......they managed themselves and they have stated that lots of time.......thats why they chose him cos he was easy to manipulate....they have said that in books and interviews in the last 30 odd years!
You may well have been a bit more polite to people and helped make them a bit more money....so Ray would have loved you .....but the rest ..................... 8)
If I had been their manager i would have told Jim....whatever you do ....if you ever go to Paris don't have a bath....
You are really just one of those putzes from the Doors website who is totally freaked out having someone pop the balloon on your Morrison myth. Why don't you go back there and post about how Morrison was god, you bozo. And while you're there, learn some manners.
Joriki wrote:You are really just one of those putzes from the Doors website who is totally freaked out having someone pop the balloon on your Morrison myth. Why don't you go back there and post about how Morrison was god, you bozo. And while you're there, learn some manners.
Shows you know absolutely nothing about me dude!
Can You Handle The Truth?.......looks like you can't......
vince wrote:
Of ocurse the ultimate promise was - any more poor performances and he can be looking for another job.
This is my favourite......sober up Morrison or you are sacked!
Hey Wallsscreamed Pseudo Poetry,
Go back to your crappy little website and stare at photos of the long dead morrison, and think about how you're the same kind of genius that he is.
Both of you are regulars on the forum and both have asked a lot of questions of meaning and substance. Now I see you at each other's throats. Is this not the same sad situation as John and Ray?
this forum is for friends to get together and share knowledge and commentary. It is not for personal attacks and gutter style name calling. we had that incident last week. Let's not start another round.
Kiss and make up, guys. Please no more of that stuff or I will have to move to the LL.
))
8)