Throwback to Record Store Day 2014 at Amoeba, where Chuck D and I first crossed paths on a panel about the power of independent music. A year later, he sent me a simple note: “You’ve got the beats, I’ve got the rhymes, let’s make doPE.” Now that collaboration lives on with No Country for Old Men, pressed exclusively for Record Store Day. Available in stores on April 18th. Find your nearest participating local store at the link in bio. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
How “Riders on the Storm,” the song heard across the world, came to be. This project, especially its ties to the Lakota Nation means a great deal to me. This collab directly supports the Wicahpi Olowan Music Program, the first Playing For Change Foundation program in the U.S., serving Indigenous youth and communities in partnership with the Indigenous-led nonprofit First Peoples Fund. Music has the power to heal, to unite, and to give young people a voice. I’m honored our song can help carry that forward. Watch the full video at the link in bio.
On this day in 1967, we kicked off our 21-night residency at the Ondine nightclub in New York City. The place drew an incredible crowd, thanks to manager Brad Pierce, some of the coolest people in Manhattan would show up, including Warren Beatty and Andy Warhol. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
RIP Country Joe. Not only did he write the great anti-Vietnam war anthem, “What Are We Fighting For?” but he wrote another great line —“I hunger for your porpoise mouth, and stand erect for love” (of course, I was in my early 20’s when I heard that)! john densmore
That percussion focus is unmatched. Photos by Ethan Russell.
RIP John Hammond, Jr., a virtuoso blues guitar player who Robby Krieger & I listened to. We played his version of “Back Door Man” (Willie Dixon) over & over, saying, “We should record that song”... and we did! john densmore
🥁 Neat cover of “Love Me Two Times” by TikTok user u/cohenja_ Seeing the next generation pick up our songs and make it their own? That’s what it’s all about. The music keeps moving forward. Tag me in your drum covers! I love to see them. #DoorsDrumCover
📸: The photoshoot for our album, WAITING FOR THE SUN! As summer creeps in… hopefully we won’t be waiting much longer. Photos shot by the great Paul Ferrara.
I, like Trump, hadn’t heard of @badbunnypr six months ago. I went to Tiny Desk Concerts on Youtube to check him out. I came away very inspired, because the phrasing of his singing was extremely musical. Also, he is working with musicians of the highest caliber. For the last several years, I’ve answered the question of “who am I listening to these days?” with the response: “anything not in English!” Why? Because in music you get the essence of a culture even if you don’t literally understand the lyrics. Due to technology, we are now a Global Village. We need all the colors for the rainbow coalition to arc all the way across the sky. Bottom line — everybody’s blood is red. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Pretty sure in this shot, Jim’s thinking: “Let’s swim to the moon.” Photo by Bobby Klein
I know the perfect greeting when anyone rings… “Hello, I love you. Won’t you tell me your name?” 📸: Paul Ferrara
The greatest translator of Rumi (possibly the most popular poet in the world), Coleman Barks, has died. He was incredibly talented & incredibly friendly. I asked him for permission to use one of his poems & he said, “take it... no charge.” Years ago, another famous poet Robert Bly thru a book of Rumi translations on a table, and said to Barks, “these poems are in prison, free them!” The result has been a “Southern eye” (Coleman was from Georgia) on the 13th century Persian mystic’s verse, which is totally transcendental. RIP my friend, john densmore Read the full article about him at the link in bio.
It’s always a pleasure to work with the multi-talented Micah Nelson (@particlekid). The album he produced of his dad’s (Willie), which was nominated for a grammy (& I got to play on!) is a masterpiece. jd Watch the full video at the link in bio.
A younger, early-days John. In hindsight, we definitely achieved the blending of Rock and Jazz. 🎥: WHEN YOU’RE STRANGE
Coloring isn’t just for kids... Art is art! However you make it, it’s feeding the soul. Photo by Bobby Klein