My Review of "I KNEW JIM MORRISON" by Anne's ex-husband Alan

I love the relationship between Jim and his younger sister and brother. In one bootleg I have, in concert, Jim says, "My little brother was just telling me how you can tell an experienced smoker by how they hold it". People confuse chronology and lump it all together. Yes, Jim was a jerk to his younger brother Andy, being the youngest. I'm the oldest, I have a younger brother and sister, and I did immature things to my sister. But Jim became a hero-like figure to Andy, and would try to cheer up his brother with, "Don't worry, Andy, I didn't get laid until I was in college" - so he obviously shared the REAL Jim (at his most vulnerable). Remember, military kids have no one but each other, since they lived in 34 different homes. So those kids know by the time they make a friend, it's time to go, so it could spiral into many kinds of relationships. One that isn't serious. Never getting close because it's going to end. But, Mary did follow Jim to LA, and his sister seems to think it was his true love, too. How a woman Jim meets (when they're all together) looks just like Mary, which is probably why he invited her, according to Anne...... As the boys grew older, Jim and Andy seem to get drunk and play pranks, while he treats Anne much more delicately, never criticizing her, but as she has said in video interviews, he showed her the ropes. He gave her books, recommendations, the deep talks. But as kids, chances are boys are going to hang out with boys, which is why you don't hear many intimate childhood stories between Anne... I've read Jim say in an interview how he would repeat "Kill the father, f*** the mother" over and over and "It can get you into a real trip" (Rolling Stone interview, w/ Jerry Hopkins - long one.. real good).. I think Jim probably loved his father, until he saw his flaws within the military vs. home life, and the hypocrisy of it all, especially if you know the radicals Jim read. He was a rebel. Anti-establishment. He wrote it in his biography, and many people feel that way. But most would never say that. Even John Lennon "played the game" at first. But not Jim. He wasn't going to ever sell-out to The Establishment. He was an individual. Individuals don't need groups. Unfortunately, every YouTube comment is "I bet Jim was SO high here" from immature morons. Jim smoked pot, did LSD, drank alcohol. Big deal. So did you. The difference is, you might attribute his talent based on this, thinking you can do the same. They do have an influence, though, but so does living in another country, or a number of other things. Jim would obviously rather be homeless (which he was after graduation) than have any kind of job. I'm sure he became dissatisfied when he realized he was a pop star, and not a poet. When he would show a movie, half the audience would leave. Back then, his poetry books barely sold, but he tried. He wanted to make movies, and as he said to Pam, after she (rightfully) mentioned HWY not having any dialogue, he said it was an exercise. Well, you should always say that, but no producer would ever look at that and think, "I gotta make a movie with Morrison". Jim hung out with some New Wave French directors, got his degree, loved movies, wrote a book on it. But he never released a movie, and used the medium of music, The Doors, as a way to speak his peace, along with three great musicians. Listen to his interview with Tony Thomas and Mort Sahl; it's on YouTube. That's Jim Morrison. Unfortunately, every fan I ask has no clue of this interview, but they all have seen that piece of garbage by ollie stone.

Changing the names every chapter. Jim Morrison became "Lizard" and he calls himself, "Skull Dog" or something ridiculous. Then Jim has an alter-ego and is called "Formeldahyde Ghost" and then whoever wrote this book with Alan started calling him "Ghost" for short. This is the second time I'm reading this, and it still screws with the narration, story, everything. It's very annoying. Alan never makes a mistake in his life you'd assume. Also no reason to call his band-mate and friend by "Robbie Besieger" - he's no enemy.

He makes too many assumptions. Just keep it on the level... I also remember Robby saying her ex-husband beat her, so I wonder how much else he hid away. But, if you read ALL of the direct sources (not 2nd or 3rd hand garbage), you'll get it. I would check out the Jim Morrison Archive on freeforums. Nothing but audio and text interviews from Jim himself.