The Doors Forum

I don't know how many of you watch the Discovery TV shows. TThere is a series that investigates the final 24 hours of some major event.

I have been contacted by the Canadian producer of the show to do an interview with them in preparation for a segment on the death of Jim. This was recorded in Video in Korea. I can only hope the sound recorder did not translate English into Korean.

07.07.14 I spent 4 hours with them answering 26 questions about the various points that led to The End. I gave as much emphasis to the Big 5 (New Haven, Amsterdam, Miami, Isle of Wright and New Orleans) and as much insight as I could within the constraints of the context of the questions. How much of my part will be used, I don't know. I do know they contacted Alan Ronay and that should prove interesting.

Update - We were off line for some time with a Virus and writing a series of proposals. I do watch for arrivals of news and PMs and will answer all as soon as possible if not immediately. For you guys who are spread all over the world. If it is midngiht in Seoul it is 11:00 Am in New York, o8:00 in LA (DST).

That's all for now, Folks.
I don't know when this will air but watch the schedules for the next two or three months - it will take that long to put it all together.

That's cool, Vince.
Does Discovery have a working title or will is it just called The Final 24 Hours?

Ed

The program itself is titled "The FInal 24". The title is self explanatory but through the stories they weave background that leads up to those final hours.

With Morrison's story there will, of course, be that 3 to 5 hour blank that exists from the time Jim left the last known spot and the "Discovery" in the tub. His factual demise is yet to be discovered. The story will lead to much controversy and possibly someone will come forward with more detail.

I don't know when it will out but I have requested a compy of the interview as well as that of the final story. Whether I get it or not is another thing.

Ok, well, I'll keep an eye on it!

Great!

i have found some news on the net and i add some photos of Vince

FINAL 24 a new documentary by Discovery
http://www.webalice.it/tonkat/

take care
Tony

Good Job!
Never saw that pic of vince with The Doors by the way.

Cool. This forum is mentioned on that site.

Good info. Thanks, Blake.

The photos in Frankfurt is interesting. I gues I was young and handsome them.

I followed through the story about Jims last night. I had said that the Herion factor would out and perhaps this is it. Again, what happened after Jim may have been spirited away from the lcub raises some other questions - How did they get past Pam, supposedly in the room waiting for Jim? What did Alan Ronay find when he got there - and he has refused to somment on this for a long time - the basis for my supposition of drug OD among other things.

Thenw e get to the Interview with Frank L.
Amazing. Frank was the unofficial Doors phtotgrapher and it is fortunate for all that he did leave a lot of material to be enjoyed. Frank did do the editing on Highway and the movie that the Doors themselved funded. Frank Did, most vertainly, shoot the best shots in the Hwd Bowl. I was there, remember, and could see him working. Second, I wan in the office "Editing room" and can surely verify the this very talented guy did indeed to the editing. Frank is a strange guy in some ways a very down to earth in others. In the end he is also likely responsible for many "Saves" of jim from trouble. As for respect for Jim, It is obvious from his statements and I shall not elaborate. It is regrettable that we drifted apart after the Doors closed. Of the many people around the doors, and there were many, I think we can count Frank a one of the important as well as friendliest and sincere. He did me some favors, I can't forget thaaat, ever. I will tell how much regard I had for Frank - He was one of the very few people who had unlimited access to the stage while the guys were performing. After the disaster at Santa Barbera with Alice Cooper, the "No one here gets on alive" rule was Very Strickly Enforced.

As far as being Media - No way. Perhaps he took advantage to film Jim and then used the photos in publications. Excusable? I would think so. That took a lot of film, cost a lot of money and much more time. Surely he had the right to recover all that investment. More important, without his effort we would not have a pictorial legacy of Jim and the guys on and off stage. As Frank himself said - We should give him the proper credit where that credit is due.

I don't want to wax too eloquent but I sort of feel moved to suggest that the Interview with Frank is pretty honest and realistic. He makes no false claims as to the extent of his work.

By the way, I saw the comment that a British film crew did some work for FINAL 24. the people who recorded my Interview were from a Korean production company. The Producers are actually in Toronto, Canada.

Thanks all for now Folks.

vince wrote:After the disaster at Santa Barbera with Alice Cooper, the "No one here gets on alive" rule was Very Strickly Enforced.

We're missing a few stories here.
You also mentioned Cincinnati and Baltimore incidents in another thread, which I for one have never heard about.
I take it these are good stories?

jim4371 wrote:

vince wrote:After the disaster at Santa Barbera with Alice Cooper, the "No one here gets on alive" rule was Very Strickly Enforced.

We're missing a few stories here.

Vince has made a few interesting comments about Santa Barbara, Alice Cooper, and flying feathers....the trick is to spell it as "Barbera" in the search function.

You know, at 02:00 spelling is not so important as the message.

To elucidate - Bill SIddons let some clown get on the low riser serving as a stage. In the process he kicked out the main power for the entire left side of the stage. Robby and part of the PA went dead.

The damage was taken care of immediately. The aftermath was that the guy was tossed off the stage and I told Bill that no one - NO ONE was to get on stage ever again. I am sure he understood the gravity of what had happened and we never had another incident. No one got on stage without my say-so unless they survived a storm of stiff arms and kicking feet as they came up over the stage.

That incident also brought about a complete revision of the electrical network. Everything was converted to twist-lock plugs and a carefully constructed and organised system of feeder and extension lines that tied into each other. Even if one feed went down the other would sustain the system.

Baltimore, Maryland was a strange one. We arrived in a long somewhat narrow hall in the very early afternoon. Our set up was delayed by the video crew setting up a TV projector to show the Stones concert live from England. Even with hours of meddling is was not so succesful.

That did not go well with the growing audience.

We finally got set up and were powered right out of the main power panel buss bars. The show was decent and the crowd quite receptive. In one of the rare times I was NOT on stage, we had set up the cound system at the front of the stage rather than our usual position behind the amps on John's left.

At the end of the show, it was hot and the crowd was still a bit angry over the failure of the Stones show - They had paid for it.

The crowd wanted more from the Doors and were clapping and chanting and not moving out at a great rate. Suddenly this burly cop sargent appeared on stage and ordered everyone to clear the hall. that did it - RIOT. The crown rushed the stage jumping up on the table we had all the mixers sitting on and from there an easy step to the stage. The cop was yelling about unlawfull assembly when everything went dead. The stage crew pulled the power cord.

Two of my band boys and I rushed back to the main panel and got things connected again. Even with the table collapsed on the floor and everything knocked around we were still functional.

I got the mike and started talking to the crowd and when they heard the dulcet tone of my voice started to reduce the chaos and pay attention. We talked about the show and they liked it and about the next shows we were to do and then suggested that the guys were pretty tired and had already left so they really could not have encores. But I also suggested that things cool down and everyone remember that the price for riots was refusla to allow the Doors to play there again. So let's show "The Man" (I could not bring myself to say "Pigs" ) that things could be cool and we would be back in future.

End of riot.

Cincinatti - Sorry - it was Cleveland that we had a wonderful afternoon just filled with delightful and enthusiastic rioters - well, let's say overly enthusiastic fans - doing their best to be members of The Doors. That proved to be a busy time. I understand there have been some photos of me in action - that is, groupie removal (As opposed to garbage removal). It was a busy hour or so. This was NOT a destructive riot as in Singer Bowl. These were just the average running of the fans who got carried away and tried to get on stage. Likely with some encouragement from Jim.

Singer Bowl was mean, deliberate, nasty and extremely destructive. that was brought on by many factors that all came together at just the right time. How it started I don't know. I do know that the Doors, the Police and the Security (supposed to protect the stage and equipment) all ran as fast as their legs could carry them into the shelter of the field house leaving Ken Kowalski and myself vulnerable to the storm that broke. We lost one of Robby's guitars and nearly lost an Acoustic speaker cabinet but Ken caught him. In the end, none of use were hurt. Others could not say that but we got things packed in proper order and got on our way.

As an aside - Ken, whom many of my readers can remember form the summer 1968 period, died of cancer a few years ago. Most regretable. Toni Parisi, a very talented keyboardist from Lawrence, Mass, was with us for that show, Unfortunately, he was very moody and subject to severe depression, committed suicide.

ANyway, that a bit of insight into those two incidents. As an aside, some sources blamed Jim for Singer bowl but the real culprit was heat, humidity and failure of the turntable motor during the performance of the WHO.

Hi Vince,i saw the Final 24 program on Jm.It aired this morning at 7am(mst)here in Canada.Really a great show.

A question,and perhaps you know.There is some nice black and white(RARE)film footage of Jim Morrison backstage(i presume).He is seen drinking from a dixie cup and then later on smoking(looks to be from the same venue).Is this from the Fillmore East gigs of 1968?I ask because it looks to be the same shirt Jim was wearing at one of these concerts.

Did you film this?I seem to recall you did have some footage of the guys that had yet to be seen.

And,by the way,will you(have you)been interviewed for Dick Wolf's Doors' docuymentary?Also,are you planning to write a book that maybe you could sell thru this website?

I know many of us would love to get a copy in our hands of all your expriences w/ the Doors.

Thanks.

I apologize.Jim is not seen drinking(not sure why i thought that).He is seen smoking and there is a wide shot(the other clips are close-up)where he is seen wearing that jacket that he wore during the Doors europe tour of 1968.

He did wear it when the Doors played Saratoga Springs New York(last filmed FOF show),because he is seen in the film(FOF)performing "Ode to..." at the piano with it on.

But,seeings how none of the Doors participated in this program(probably because they did not like the direction it took interms of the "herion death angle" it seems doubtful that they'd agree to give the producers of this show the rights to use it.SO,i figure this is probably from some Eurpoeun Archives.Unless of course Vince you shot this or know otherwise.

Really,curious.Great to see this footage!

Hello Peeps - I have been here is Korea, as many of you know, alone and lonely and maybe old and obsolete 'cause no one sends me messages any more.

I have not seen the 24 foorage so I cannot give any answers at this time. I was contacted by the producers today with the information that they will be sending me the originals of the interview I did here in Korea as well as the DVD of the show as it was aired.

We will not see the show here on TV for some reason - I guess because it is on the Biography channel. We used to get it when it was on Discovery itself but no more. I will try to answer any and all questions after I have seen the material. At this point I am completely lost to explain what you might have seen.

Good to have you back Vince. How are you? Hope the gods are smiling on you this fine day.

Mr. Marx or is that Manx (From the picture)

I was never away. I have been sitting here staring at the computer screen for weeks - no, Months on end waiting, breathlesly, patiently, anxiously with rapidly beating heart for someone, anyone somewhere to send me just a "Hello". But, nothing, a desert just a blank flickering screen. I can tell you I was so depressed, Unwanted, forgotten, lonely, unloved. Finally, The Freedom Man sent a breath of fresh air. I could dare to leave the computer to eat, and take care of other pressing matters (Boy, I can tell you that was an experience - talk about getting a load off your mind...) and sleep. I looked in a mirror and scared myself - I thought a stranger was looking through the window.

Anyway, Here I am just like always. Thanks for the note. I feel so much better.

VInce

Great to have you back Vince!

Here I are - All bright and shiney. Write to my - I am here to answer one and all. Hope all you guys are OK and things go well. I get absorbed in work sometimes but I will never fail to answer any offering.

Keep in touch.

Zagreb - Wow, Winter coming. There are some really nice organs in some beautiful churches. Old ones, that is. What magnificent works of art as well as instruments of music. Pity that the art of traditional building has been lost.

Hope you are well and things go well for you.

Vince

Thanks for your reply Vince, how do you know abut church organs in Zagreb?

Here's a chance to see some of your interview Vince: http://www.biography.com/broadband/main ... y=Final+24.

Since Vince came back, this forum finally got back to life.

Sometime this week I will have the DVD copies of both the entire original interview as well as the program as it was aired on US and Canada TV programs.

The location for the interview was a hoot - First it was to be the really posh restaurant at one of the big hotels here in Seoul. The crew was Korean and used top end Sony cameras. The interview was recorded on tape and took about 4 hours (They promised it would be one hour but that was OK, I gave the answers I wanted)

I had been sent a copy of the questions that would be asked. Some of them I did not like - Miami and Connecticut were either distorted or short changed. That story came out you can be sure. I have about 2 weeks to think about the Q & A before I went to the location.

When I got to the hotel I went to the Dining room which was closed as it was "Early" So I sat down and waited. That upset the head man no end. I was insistant that I was to meet someone there at 12:00. That made matters worse. What do you do with stubborn Foreigner...?

Finally this really pretty Korean girl came. She had spent years in the US and spoke flawless English. She told me that we had a change in plans and would be going somewhere else. So off we went. Have you ever had the feeling that you are being kidnapped. (Never kidnap an organ builder, they are too poor) We drove on and on, north across the Han river into Seoul and then headed west to some obscure little wine bar in an area under an apartment building.

Nice little place, simple but sort of cozy. It is funny to see the results of what they think a Wine Bar should be like. Anyway, we started at about 13:00 and went on. They wanted me to sit straight in a flat back chair. After about 10 minutes of that I had enough and sat more comfortably. I felt like I was in Bush's terrorist interogation rooms.

Anyway - We went through the questions and added a couple. I am not sure what they put put on or off the screen but she would ask a question. I had to repeat the question and then provide the answer, long or short.

Sometimes they decided to move the camera so the girl and I would make small talk while they moved and reset. That was kind of a waste because they moved only a couple of feet to left or right.

They asked for a release. I gave it to the girl and she didn't have a clue of what to do with it. I had written in that In lieu of $$ I wanted a copy of the uncut version of the original and final versions of the story. The response I got was - well, I'll have to ask the producers... About a week after the interview I got a message that the release had gone missing. Finally, they tracked the girl down and sure enough, she lost it. So I had to do it again and sent it.

Well - then it was just waiting. and suddenly the 3 minute clips started popping up.

Wow - another chapter in the book. I should have done this piece by piece - "Tomorrow, we fint out where Vince was taken..." tik-boom, tic- boom, tic-boom Yesterday, this is what happened, now we continue.... tic-boom, tic-boom

It's Sunday morning. My day of rest (Hah Hah) I have to continue drawing the new layout for the KoChon organ enlargement.

The new console is really nice. 3M 41 Stops, 50 Draw knobs, 15 Rocker couplers. 6 pistons per division and 10 generals.

Draw Knob Consoles are always impressive - they are also the most expensive to build. For those guys in Europe or England - Liverpool Cathedtral has a Really Big D-K console. KoChon is about 1/5 the size.
I don't know about the continent. Many are trackers and have side jambs but they are built into the case - not really Consoles.

For now - Hey go to UTUBE and see Cameron Chamberlan at Trinity, Wall Street. He is in the organ music part. There is another fellow from Spain who plays Danse Macabre that is stunning.

Who is in France - I would love to get good GOOD recordings of the A. C-C organs that are still intact, also photos of the rear area of the console showing the Barker Lever arrangements. What are Barker Lebers... You will know when you see them.

Take care all - have to go for now.

Vince

Vince your AWESOME!!!

I mean,really.As i stated already i have watched the program and man,for a gentleman in his(dare i say)70s?Man,you look much younger.AMAZING!Obviously your takin' a BIG BITE OUT OF LIFE and LOVIN' IT!!!

I shall wait patiently to hear your response to the program.I think it should be interesting.Afterall you know what you said and in the context of the questions asked before and after.I hope your pleased w/ how your interview is represented in the whole of this program.

I had not visited this site in awhile and really hadn't seen any recent posts so i was somewhat concerned that perhaps you no longer accessed and responded to the questions and whatnot.I am very happy that you do and continue to.

I found this program to be interesting.I tend to believe that Jim probably did infact overdose.

Tony Funches is quite a funny character when he tlaks about he and Jim getting plastered(TOny has this great chuckle afterwards).

And you are shown explaing the whole incident in Miami when Ray gets you to stop Jim from dropping his trousers(as it were).You explaning and showing what you did and then saying,something to the affect of "it's a wonder his voice did not go up an ocatve or two".HILARIOUS.

I am very happy and thankful for people like you.Those people(like Tony)whom were in close proximity to the likes of Jim Morrison and do not seem too concerned w/ trying to perpetuate this myth of either him still being alive or him being some sort of bigger then life rock god.

Of course your not working w/ the Doors organization anymore so i imagine this helps you express these feelings more openly.

I totally feel that Jim was adecent enough person.That just had trouble coping w/ the stresses of circumstances and it was easier for him to put something in him that could(if nothing else for a time,A TIME)take it away.And in those states he was probably an a-hole.Porbaboly veru unmanagable.

To me,for me,that's sad.Because,the dude was probably hurting.I have no doubt(imo,obviously)that Jim was(as i have heard Ray say before)"too sensitive an artist".I tend to agree.

Sorry to rhapodize on & on.

Anyway,Vince,good to hear you.And i have this page bookmarked now for quick and easy access.

Talk 2 ya' down dee Rd.


laters4u

I deleted a few posts which were getting off topic. If any member has a particular issue with the board, PM Ed or I. Please do not hijack threads. Thanks.

Dan

Unfortunately, here in LA if you have Time Warner and don't have the second tier of Digital Cable you would have missed it. It only aired on Biography Channel.

John

I am here as always have been. I will respond to any post or PM. As long as the web is up and running I will receive notices.

For some time now there has been little activity in the Q & A department. I mentioned to The Freed that there was little activity - mainly because no one was making posts and such.

Every message or message notice gets my attention. I will respond to one and all.

Has control of this site changed hands? Has the forum become part and parcel of the "Official" doors site?

vince wrote: Has control of this site changed hands? Has the forum become part and parcel of the "Official" doors site?

Hi Vince,

The board has not changed hands. Ed is still the owner and operator. This board is not part of the "official" doors board, AKA, the Lizard Lounge. Doors fans come here, instead of the LL, for serious info and discussion on the doors.

Nice to see you here again posting. I enjoyed the Biography channel's airing of "The Final 24 - Jim Morrison". Glad to see you had some input.

Dan

Hi Dan

As mentioned I have not seen the program or anything except the little snippet where I mention that Jim was calling for help.

I hope that whatever part I played it was helpful in clearing up the mystery and myth surrounding Miami. The Stone film has always been a thorn in all of the Groups side as Stone really distorted the whole Miami incident - even the trial section in favor of a lot of fictitions crap.
That period of my life has been with me and regardless of my feelings about Jim's behavior, the guys are still close to me in memory. It has been a real heartbreak to have the upsets between John and Ray and the sluff-off onto Robby as a result of a few ill chosen words.

In any case, life goes on. I hope the guys are well and prospering. Take care