Morrison Hotel

[SleepingGiantFan]

Probably less than half the guys on this board will understand but for those who don't, yes, Morrison Hotel did reference Jim Morrison. I always thought it was somewhere in Hollywood since Jim lived there just off Sunset Boulevard for several years. Turns out it was a dump in downtown L.A. Here's the back story.

The 4-floor Morrison Hotel opened in 1914 and was apparently in a nice section of town during its first few decades of life. In 1970 after the Doors got big, somebody clued the band into the hotel's existence and they aspired to take a photo looking out its picture window to use as an album cover. However, when they walked in, that request was denied. Of course, being the Doors they simply waited in a car outside until the front desk guy went to the john or something when they ran in and the picture was taken and rest was history. Until last night.

For a number of years the place has been home to a couple of dozen "unhoused" folks. Last night, one of them started a fire which got out of hand and Morrison Hotel finally met its inevitable fate.

By the way, what kind of a dumbass would turn down an opportunity to have his picture taken with one of the greatest bands ever?

[FresnoFacts]

My understanding of the story was the front desk attendant said only the hotel owner could give permission for the photo shoot and the owner was not there. I guess when you are reduced to working at a dive for a low wage you don't want to take on any extra responsibility that might cost you your job..

[Wyobraska]

Roadhouse Blues is a great song off of that album.  

[SleepingGiantFan]

On 1/1/2025 at 11:29 PM, Wyobraska said:

Roadhouse Blues is a great song off of that album.  

+1. Most of the Delta Blues greats got their start by playing places like the one in Animal House (although that was filmed in and around Eugene) and Roadhouse Blues was the Doors' tribute to them.