LIVE AT THE AQUARIUS THEATRE: THE FIRST PERFORMANCE
On July 21st, 1969, The Doors lit up the Aquarius Theatre in Hollywood with one of their most electrifying and underrated performances. “Live At The Aquarius Theatre: The First Performance” captures The Doors at their peak: loose, loud, and locked in.
The Doors’ first show at The Aquarius Theater in Hollywood. The tickets cost two bucks each, and it was a small intimate venue. When the theater The Doors were already playing! And Morrison had a beard! It was all so loose and casual. We were not prepared to see a bearded Jim. The only real-time we got Doors news in that day was probably through Rolling Stone magazine every now and then
I remember some of the songs slightly, but of course, the show was eventually released on The Doors’ “Bright Midnight” label decades later. I just remember the atmosphere of the show being so surreal. It was dark and mystical. Being maybe 15 feet from the band and Jim is something that’s been burned into my mind since that night. I love that memory. Jim and the Doors were gods to me and influenced my whole life and way of thinking. I got to know Ray semi-well over the years and was happy I could express that to him. I was in the music business myself, and The Doors influenced every part of the music and lyrics I wrote in my career. That’s the biggest compliment I can give anybody. I feel privileged to carry the memory of those few hours in my brain for my entire life.
Robert Haimer, Los Angeles, CA.
Now available as a 180-gram 3-LP set from Analogue Productions, limited to 2,000 numbered copies and pressed at Quality Record Pressings, this edition features a 2016 mix by longtime Doors engineer Bruce Botnick. The result is a crystal-clear listening experience that brings new life to that summer night in ’69.
“The new mix is a revelation… The resulting clarity gives this concert new life – and as a bonus, side six features material from the soundcheck that preceded the show.” – Bruce Botnick
Setlist:
Back Door Man, Break On Through, Soul Kitchen, You Make Me Real, I Will Never be Untrue, When The Music’s Over, Universal Mind, Mystery Train, Build Me A Woman, Who Do You Love, Light My Fire, The Celebration of the Lizard
Releases November 21st
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