The Doors Dance on Fire VHS 1985

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

The Doors Dance on Fire VHS 1985


20-10-1984
Billboard

Back in 1985 this was an incredible release that allowed fans like me to see video of things I had not even read about.
By this time the battle between VHS& Betamax was over and VHS became the video player of choice even if Beta was better.
I got this in its first week of release and played it the moment I got home and it was an awesome experience.
Nowadays stuff like this is nothing of note as fans can find tons of Doors stuff on the Net from the comfort of their living room chair.
Back then we had to do a bit of work to get a copy.



Original 1985 MCA/Universal Press Release
Universal City, CA — The Doors, one of the most provocative and controversial rock groups of all time, are captured during their glorious heyday on the new MCA/Universal Home Video release, The Doors: Dance On Fire.

The Doors: Dance on Fire is a collection of live performances, promotional clips and rare behind-the-scenes film footage. This definitive look at the musical and cultural impact of The Doors, particularly the late Jim Morrison, has received widespread critical acclaim: “For new and old fans it’s sexy, excitingly paced, charismatic, moving. For critics it reveals undeniable invention and presence…. It’s amazing to watch.” — John Piccarella, HighFidelity.

Dance On Fire contains 14 songs drawn from television and concert appearances including “Light My Fire”, “Touch Me”, “Crystal Ship”, “People Are Strange”, “Break On Through” and “Riders On The Storm”. Also contained is a riotous version of “Roadhouse Blues” from the Doors’ 1968 summer concert tour of America and an original non-performance segment of “LA Woman” directed by Ray Manzarek.

Songs / Tracks Listing



1 Break On Through The original Elektra Records promo clip
2 People Are Strange Performances from the Ed Sullivan Show and Murray The K in New York.
3 Light My Fire Performance from the Ed Sullivan Show
4 Wild Child Filmed at the Elektra recording session
5 LA Woman A new film directed by Ray Manzarek
6 Unknown Soldier The original Elektra promo clip, banned since 1968
7 Roadhouse Blues Filmed during the 1968 American Tour
8 Love Me Two Times Live performance from Danish television
9 Touch Me Performance from the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
10 Moonlight Drive Performance from the Jonathan Winters Show
11 The End Live performance from the 1968 Hollywood Bowl concert
12 Crystal Ship Performance from American Bandstand
13 Adagio Composed by Tommasso Albinoni/arranged by Paul Harris and the Doors

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

DANCE ON FIRE
Worth having in your video collection if only to marvel at the quality of some of the early video clips, viz. "Break On Through(To the Other Side)".
Jim played to the camera beautifully in this clip considering we're looking at 1967 when the music video clip was in its total infancy.
I think the most bizarre clip has to go to "People Are Strange" which has the group looking quite out of place, except perhaps for Jim, sitting in the streets whilst the
rest of the band seemed to be at a total loss as to know what to do whilst Jim lip-syncs.

Video clip we could most do without: "LA Woman". I tend to think that Ray was overly literal with his interpretation here, however, it wasn't lost on me that he used the
same model and colour car that Jim had owned for the freeway scenes.

RATING: 8/10
Some great vintage Jim and that could've been me running my fingers through his hair if it hadn't been
for my parents living in the wrong country!
Michelle Benisch from the 2001 Spring Scorpwag issue.







Creem June 1985

## What a truly worthless review by an idiot trying to sound cleverer than he obviously is

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

20-4-1985
Billboard

One thing that always impressed me about The Doors was they were very inventive with ideas to promote their wares.
Dance On Fire was the bands first foray into video and it even spawned the bands first LaserDisc which like their earlier Quadrophonic Best Of was worthy of note if pretty useless to the average fan.
Nonetheless Dance On Fire was well promoted here in the UK and probably managed to bring the message to many a new fan especially the version of The End which (even if it was a mediocre gig) gave me chills just watching it.


K101 Texas Radio poster


Full page media advert


27-4-1985
Billboard





Press Kit


Shop window display

Store poster


Magazine Ad

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

The laser disc release was beyond the wherewithal of the normal fan as it cost more than a months wages just to buy the player.
Old hat nowadays but still worth noting how The Doors pushed the boundaries of how their music could be enjoyed.


5-10-1985
Billboard

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

2-3-1985
Billboard