Light My Fire - The Doors Live At Danbury High School, CT. October 11, 1967

Light My Fire
© The Doors 1967

Live At Danbury High School
Danbury, CT
Wed. October 11, 1967

What kind of adult uses a stern, even threatening tone, to tell an auditorium full of high school kids to remain seated and calm - as they sit in anticipation of a concert by a hot, new rock band? I'll be polite and use the terms "uptight" and "kill-joy."
If Jim Morrison heard her announcement, well, some of us can just about see his wheels spinning, setting off some mischievous reactions. By the somewhat lively sound of his voice during the first song, "Moonlight Drive/Horse Latitudes" (despite its very chopped up appearance on the recording), that may very well have happened. This is a show that,
nce we've heard it, many Doors' fans would like to see a film of. Photos would be better than nothing.

The Doors played a version of "Money" that's a bit different from the version the Beatles played, but Morrison's voice is just as effective on the song as Lennon's - controlled, yet unrestrained and emotional. Next is a good, ragged "Break On Through," including some
spoken/sung poetry, followed (or interrupted on the recording) by a fast rendition of "Back Door Man." Jim sounds like he's having a pretty good time, so it would be especially interesting to see what he was doing, even while not singing. On the heels of BDM comes an energetic, but still spooky version of "People Are Strange." Then comes an effective, dramatic pause before we hear the prelude of shadows from the eerie "Crystal Ship." Later
comes the keyboard solo that reeks of isolation, enhancing the lonely lyrics Jim sang. The band then pours right into "Wake Up," as Jim speaks the sinister sounding poem, and the "smooth hissing snakes" lead into a slightly rapid, but normally lengthy "Light My Fire."

At this point, given the provocative mood of a Doors' show, one has to wonder if the opening announcer has departed the auditorium, or is watching the teenaged audience like a hawk, for signs of disobedience.

After pondering that...let the opening strains of Robby's Middle-Eastern guitar-work lead you into the spooky spell of "The End." Allow Morrison's improvised poetry to wash over you as he deviates from the words you're used to hearing during the "The End" on the band's
eponymous debut album. Allow yourself to go with the flow of Jim's words, and the mood created by them and the music here. This is a somewhat shortened version of the song. During the Oedipal section, Jim manages to scream the most offensive line so subtly that it can be heard,
but is barely audible. Despite the short and hurried version they played, The Doors managed to retain the general feeling of this musical epic. Jim certainly hurled "I wanna kill you" with convincing passion. One wonders if that dark passion is actually directed paternally, or to the unresolved emotional pain caused by his upbringing in general -- or both.

Just as ironic as the announcer's tone at the beginning is her seemingly sincere comment, "wonderful show...thank you," at the conclusion.

This isn't one of the most controversial Doors' shows, but it is a valid document of what they were like in 1967. Very good show. Definitely worth your while to get a copy of it.

Other Artists: Newfield Patch Band
Just one show at 9:00 pm

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Category:

Music

Tags:

• Light My Fire
• The Doors
• Jim Morrison
• Robbie Krieger
• Ray Manzarek
• John Densmore
• Danbury

[lightshifter2]

Some say this was on Oct 11th while others state the 17th. Anyone know which is correct?

[rutazzurra]

@lightshifter2

According to Grag Shaw's "Doors On The Road" book (considered by many as The Bible), the gig in Danbury took place on Wednesday October 11th, 1967.

From Tuesday October 17th to Thursday October 19th, The Doors performed at the Steve Paul's Scene Club in New York City.

[Guillen286]

this is on white st right? 

[rutazzurra]

@Guillen286 181 White St

[mjbillverd]

thanks rutazzura!

[mjbillverd]

loved this too (not surprised). It showed a little optimism bent probably because it was early doors

[lightshifter2]

@rutazzurra Thanx for the clarification. There is a lot of people who think it was held on the 17th. I'm sure Shaw is correct.

[bwanna23]

Hard to imagine. The doors show up to do a gig at your high school???

[mediabaron]

Nope, this concert did not occur at the old high school building on White St. The new high school on Clapboard Ridge Road had opened in fall 1964.

[lifeizlemonz]

@mrminimatic actually I think they are still there! because we havent replaced the floor sense (haha sad, I know)

[mrminimatic]

@lifeizlemonz thats awesome. did you notice if the marks are still on the stage from when Jim smashed the microphone stand into the stage?