Hampton Beach August the 9th, 1967.

[Hamlet]

Hi Vince!

I have read you saw The Doors at Hampton Beach Casino!

What was the concert like?

- Did you make a contact there with the band, and stayed in contact until the New Haven concert?

I am under no delusions about your qualifications and skills, which are of the highest order as a trained organ-builder.

But, how did it actually happen that they hired you in the first place, and subsequentely elavated you to be in total charge as Road- and Soundmanager for The Doors?

[vince]

Hamlet:

My first trip to Hampton Beach was to hear the Turtles. They were fun, we had fun and it was enjoyable. Second visit was for the Doors.

Next show was in Boston, Baltimore (To show them my designs for the ultimate sound system) and then New Haven. It was New Haven that put me in very close contact with Bill Soddins - the Road Manager at that time, as a result of witnessing the police beating Jim.

Bill suggested I might like the job as he had to resign to avoide losing his draft protection (VietNam War).

I have summed up my impression of the Doors after my first concert as "The American Beatles". Somehoe I just knew that they were going to the top and would likely stay there for some time to ocme.

Of Course, I did not count on Jim's self destructive behavior ultimately destroying the group - and himself.

That is the short form of the story. I have written the long form in some other places if you want all the details.

[$unshine]

The Turtles ? It's a group which makes superb music, finally me I like

[wha happened]

I love the Turtles, just saw them (Mark and Howard) again last summer. Always a good show. They even did a little medley of Doors songs! Did you guys know that the Turtles were also recording at Sunset Sound during the same time as the Doors were recording their first album.

[vince]

Sunset Sound was sort of "The Place" during the 1966-68 era. Their success brought on a rash of either new studios or studio rebuilds in an effort to lure an ever growing number of groups in to do their records. Things got very plush and amenities more liberal. That was the "India" period so many of them had Indian themes with lots of cushions and tapstries and such.

Many Groups recorded at Sunset. The equipment was somewhat outdated, in fact, but Bruce Botnick - Genius of knobs, Dials, and Patch Bays, made it work as no other could.
Eventurally Sunset put in a new Studio #2 and it was about that time that we moved to TTG. More because we could not get time at Sunset than any major improvement in equipment.

Jac Holzman was building the newest and Most Luxurious Elektra Studio on La Cieniga not far from our office. Once completed we were the first to use it and everything up to LA Woman was recorded there.

[Hamlet]

Thank you, Vince!

You must be really skilled, since you were able to get The Doors interested in your design on a sound system.

I would just imagine that the "industry" in LA would be able to provide the number one band in America at that time, with a sound design.

- Why exactly did they choose you?

- What is a part of a master plan?

The Doors wanting to call the shots themselves, which eventually led them to hire the inadequate Siddons as manager.

[vince]

I was at the New Haven show when Jim was arrested. With members of the Organ Factory - a band I sponsored - we clesared the stage and packed all the equipment away when Bill went to the police station to find out what was going to befall Jim.

Bill was in college with an S-1 deferment. Because of the tour schedule he was missing classes and was warned that if he missed more he would be out of school and in the draft.

When I called him to tell of the beating received at the hands of the police, he suggested that I might be insterest in the job. The rest is history.

The top of the line - Acoustic Amplifiers did sponsor the Doors and provided some nice equipment for them. However, with ever larger venues and requirements for greater sound projection, nothing could really do the job. So I built a system of my design for them.

That is about the story in short ofrm. I have written a more extended version but I am not sure how to guide you to the spot. There are others on the Forum who will help you with that I am sure.

Thanks for the comment.

Vince

[Hamlet]

- thank you, Vince!