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Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

Series looking at the creation of some of the greatest albums in music.

Classic Albums celebrates the making of the greatest albums in music. Each film features interviews with band members and producers discussing the creation of the recordings.

Nick de Grunwald

Martin R Smith

Bob Smeaton

Classic Albums: The Doors: The Doors

The Doors

19/02/2009

The Doors: The Doors

BBC Four - Classic Albums, The Doors: The Doors

A look at the creation of the Doors' eponymous debut, a mix of blues, rock and jazz.

Series looking at the creation of classic albums goes behind the Doors' eponymous debut, a mix of blues, rock and jazz combined with the voice and lyrics of Jim Morrison.

The Doors' eponymous debut album alone assures them a place in rock and roll history. Together with the voice and lyrics of Jim Morrison this mix of blues, rock and jazz has made it one of the greatest debuts ever. In less than a year after its release, the Doors would go from Los Angeles favourites to one of the biggest bands in the world.

With the use of interviews, musical demonstration, rare archive footage and live performances, the documentary tells the story behind the conception and recording of the album and the creation of their distinctive trademark sound, and charts the transition of Jim Morrison from reticent vocalist to one of the most electrifying and sexually-charged performers in rock music. 

Ray Manzarek, Robbie Krieger and John Densmore, the surviving members of the Doors, share memories of the band's early days and the making of the album, and throw light on to living with the lyrical genius Jim Morrison. 

Other contributors include manager Bill Siddons, beat poet Michael McClure, record company guru Jac Holzman, musicians Henry Rollins and Perry Farrell and Los Angeles DJ Jim Ladd, who add insight to the Doors as musicians, composers and leaders of a generation. 

Bruce Botnick, the engineer on every Doors album, examines the original multi-track tapes and gives a guide through the recording process of such classic songs as Break on Through, Light My Fire, End of the Night, Alabama Song, The Crystal Ship, Back Door Man, Soul Kitchen and The End.

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