#20: The Doors’ Middle Years

After an exhaustive tour, The Doors struggled to produce new material for their fourth album, The Soft Parade, in 1969, earning it a reputation as their least successful. Jim Morrison’s drastic change in appearance further distanced him from his iconic image, resembling Charles Manson more than the rock idol fans revered.

A controversial Miami performance in March escalated when Morrison incited a riot with lewd behavior, leading to his arrest. Following this scandal, The Doors released Morrison Hotel, but Morrison faced legal battles, culminating in a conviction that overshadowed the album’s September 1970 release.