Jim Morrison, The Doors, New York City, 1967

Jim Morrison, The Doors, The American Poet, New York City, 1967.

In 1967 at his New York studio, Joel Brodsky's Young Lion photoshoot created what have now become the most recognizable portraits of Jim Morrison – capturing the self styled Lizard King at the peak of his physical and artistic powers. The Doors were poised to release two magnificent albums that year, their self-titled debut, The Doors, and Strange Days. This iconic image entitled “The American Poet” appeared on the covers of The Doors first two albums, and subsequently on The Soft Parade and many greatest hits compilations.In 1967, photographer Joel Brodsky took a series of black and white portraits of The Doors and Jim Morrison, known as “The Young Lion” photo session.

"This photograph is considered to be the most iconic image of Morrison. The shot on the inner sleeve of the Greatest Hits album was pretty near the end, I think. By that time, he was so drunk he was stumbling into the lights and we had to stop the session. He wasn’t a wild drunk - actually he was kind of quiet - but his equilibrium wasn’t too terrific. Still, he was great to photograph because he had a very interesting look. It seemed like a good session to me... Morrison never really looked that way again, and those pictures have become a big part of The Doors’ legend. I think I got him at his peak. -- Joel Brodsky

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