Jim Morrison's place in Rock History?

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

We see so many survivors of the 60s/70s being invited to Garden Parties by the Queen nowadays and receiving knighthoods from Tony Blair or having dinner with the US President and these people are often described as 'rocks royalty' simply because they are still breathing air (or whatever 'Keef' Richards uses to sustain life ) and mixing with the 'right' people.
Nowadays having a crap reality TV show seems to be considered the height of chic rather than the fact you were once a rock 'God' worshipped by kids all over the world because you spoke for THEM and NOT the established order..........
Those that had the luxury of being dead by 1979 never got tempted to sell themselves in the 80s and 90s but many are forgotten 'princes' in favour of the geriatric Ozzy (who can barely remember his own name let alone the 60s) and Rod & Mick who still thinks its THEM thats sexy to women and not thier millions.....
So when you consider the great Pantheon of rock music greats WHERE compared to all the rock 'elite' do you think Jim Morrison ranks.?
Does he deserve to actually be remembered and does his message (whatever it actually was) still resonate among rock fans today as it did to those who were chilled by the sight of The Doors in action?
We oldies who make the trip to Paris see many young people wandering in the footsteps Jim took so many years ago but are they attracted by the artistic integrity the man had or the insane stories they read in books like NOHGOA.?
What makes Jim still popular with this new generation of rock fans and why do they see something in him that they do not see in Bono?
Is Jim worth remembering after all this time.....
As the 40th anniversary (July 8th) of The Doors birth rapidly approaches the question is asked...
Where does Jim fit in todays rock heirachy and does he deserve to be there?
Any thoughts from you guys especially those that can actually remember what it was like when they were at school....

[jym]

Hell yeah! The top man.

I think as time goes by (sorry bout The Stones ref) Jim will be remembered more for his writing, & more critical works & bio's will be done. He was also one of the originators of the Rock & Roll lifestyle that we know so well now, but was still in its infancy in the 60's. & what does Jim have that perhaps Bono doesn't dangerous charisma no one ever knew what was going to happen with Jim, (probably JIm too) you never knew if was going to be an exciting, dangerous, or lackluster show.

;D

[sandysunshine]

I think Jim was the first of a certain kind of rock star. I don't know what makes him better than anyone else. He just is!!! The Bono's of this world can only aspire to be as great as Jim. I always get the feeling with Bono that everything is planned. He has none of the NATURAL charisma that Jim had. It always seems to be an act for the cameras.
I think that Jim was the damn sexiest guy that ever walked the face of the earth!!! But there was so much more than just looking good. He had a fabulous look and a fabulous mind, which you just don't get in a rock star anymore!!!
Unfortunately, dying young does automatically seal your place in history too. I think that because he was with us for such a short space of time and we'll never see him old, he might have gotten really boring, started recording Easy Listening tunes, duetting with McFly?! Who knows?! Nobody does. And that's what keeps him special. It's the not knowing what could have been!!!

[strangenightvstone]

"What makes Jim still popular with this new generation of rock fans and why do they see something in him that they do not see in Bono?"

The blues, Jim made us aware of black music like Howlin Wolf, Willie Dixon, and Muddy Waters. The Stones, headed by Brian Jones also did this for the blues. Bono merely plays a part in the boring circus, plus the guitarist is only known for his use of delay, and that is it. Bono just signed a multiple product endorsment deal, ranging from American Express, to Nike and Converse. It is a good thing I do not use those things.

[ensenada]

so bono has sold his soul!

[wtd]

For me, I think Jim took the whole Rock & Roll thing very serious. It wasn't just an act. The Doors were trying to do something different. They were pioneers in theatrical rock. Trying to take the audience on a trip. Kind of like a taking drug. Changing your mind to a different perception. When I listen to Door's music, I'm not just enjoying the music, it's seems to go deeper, effects you at the subconscious level. For me, The Doors are not your typical rock band. They go much further than that. I think Jym is right. The Doors and Jim Morrison will be look at in the future more critically for there greatness. I think people don't look at Rock & Roll as purely artistic yet. Give it time, and I think people will come to recognized the artistic value of Rock & Roll, and particularly Jim Morrison & The Doors music.

Jim's legacy as a great poet, lyricist and intelligent person come through greatly compared to other Rock & Roll performers. The words he writes, comes over very powerful, you feel the realness, it's not fake, it's not just for show value, and I think a lot of people like and gravitate to that. Today's artist don't come off real or sincere or very intelligent. Not that people don't right good music or songs anymore, but just doesn't have that certain something that The Doors music had.

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

Anyone else got a view on this?