John Densmore ……..reading his book is everything! This book was published years ago, I read it then, but this issue and his narration is wonderful! I highly recommend this book to everyone who grew up listening to the Doors in the 1960’s and beyond.

I didn’t read John Densmore’s earlier memoir but have been a fan of The Doors and Jim Morrison’s legacy for decades. I enjoyed the discussion of current musicians selling their catalogs and how the surviving members of The Doors are handling the issue. It’s hard to tell how Morrison would have changed over time. I suspect he would have sold out but the people who know him best are the final authority!

I received a complimentary copy of this book "The Doors Unhinged" and all opinions expressed are my own. I tried to listen to the audiobook. I love The Doors but... it's so detailed about the court case, well it just was not interesting. Things are repeated over and over. Usually with audiobooks I listen to the whole thing. I could not finish this one = DNF

This is an audiobook ultimately about greed. Narrated by the author, and drummer of The Doors, John Densmore.

Deeply personal and an interesting perspective. I loved it. Listening to it from the man himself is an amazing experience.

The Doors: Unhinged by John Densmore is not your typical rock 'n' roll memoir—it's a courtroom drama. The book details the legal battle between the surviving members of The Doors over how to use the band’s name and imagery. That might sound kind of boring, but Densmore turns it into a riveting narrative that remains engaging throughout.

Densmore, the band's drummer, finds himself at odds with former bandmates Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger, who hit the road using a slight variation of The Doors' name, complete with a giant Jim Morrison banner looming over them on stage and a couple of famous stand-ins (Ian Astbury of The Cult and Stewart Copeland of The Police. Densmore was fine with them touring but asked that they be clear that this was not the original band, since they’d always been firm about all band decisions needing to be unanimous.

Through the ups and downs of the legal battle, Densmore uses the courtroom to tell stories about the band's history, their challenges, and his personal quest to honor Morrison's memory. The book is peppered with anecdotes that not only entertain but also give us a backstage pass into the commercial side of the band’s history, including problematic flirtations with licensing the band’s music.

One of the book's strengths is its ability to connect this specific legal skirmish to broader themes of artistic integrity versus commercialism. Densmore’s reflections are thoughtful and often laced with a wry humor that reminds us that even rock legends have to deal with mundane things like lawsuits and driving in traffic to sit on uncomfortable benches under the watchful eye of a judge. It's clear that he's not just a musician but a guardian of the band's history and rather an eloquent commentator on the cultural and ethical dilemmas that artists face today.

The Doors: Unhinged is a surprisingly interesting read, but it helps to love the music that this classic band produced. Even if you’re not a huge fan, the book offers insightful commentary on the music industry, the enduring impact of The Doors, and the ethical quandaries artists navigate in their effort to preserving their artistic integrity in a commercial world.

*3.5 stars* This book takes an interesting look at The Doors from the drummer's perspective, John Densmore, in the context of the legal aftermath of Jim Morrison’s death in recent times. While I have not read or come across many books on the subject (not to say they don’t exist), this perspective of legality and the author’s desire to abide by the late Morrison’s wishes about not allowing the usage of their songs for cheap commercialism is one I have not come across.

There is a bit of aired-out dirty laundry and squabbling between the remaining members in court from the lawsuit he recounts against his former band members over a decade ago, and it might come off as a little self-serving of the author. As if he wants the validation that comes from putting his side out there in the world via this book. But I think he is in a unique position to do so, being the only drummer of The Doors. It gets a little tedious toward the end and it’s hard to hear the animosity as a longtime Doors fan, but I still think it is an interesting look at what it means to be an artist and trying to make a living vs “selling out”. Certainly, the remaining Doors members needn’t worry about making a living compared to up and coming musicians who might sell their songs for commercials.

A high point for me was the various nostalgic anecdotes of interactions between Densmore and other rock and roll stars of the era such as Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, and the like. All in all, this is a good book for fans of The Doors and classic rock looking for a deeper-cut type of book, but note this is not a book about The Doors and how they came to be. Densmore narrates the audiobook which is a nice personal touch.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Audio, and John Densmore for a digital copy of this audiobook! All opinions are my own.

Wow! I was not expecting this book to be what it was - and boy am I glad!!!

As a Door's fan, I was expecting another memoir about the going on during the height of their fame, I was so pleasantly surprised at what I got instead. I am an attorney and identify as a liberal and a moral philosopher - right there along side John. John is such a wonderful person and the fight to keep his integrity and the integrity of the band is so amazing to see. This could not be more timely, as this is not just commentary on the Doors' specifically, but on society as a whole. Selfishness, greed, capitalism, and unfairness continue to rum rampant while so many suffer unnoticed. Thank you John for continuing to bring this message to light and for continuing to keep the legacy of the band alive.

I am an even bigger Door's fan now!