About JayDixon Expertise lyrics, instruments, vocal range
Experience Radio jock with 26 years commercial radio experience and radio station music director. Singer myself, poet and lyric writer. Former lead singer of a Doors tribute band. I own instruments, have the same vocal range as Jim had.
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Business - University of Queensland
Awards and Honors Holder of the CRA (Commercial Radio Australia) "25 Year Award" and a couple of other music and radio awards.
Im just curious, iv,e heard that Jim was Working out at Golds Gym in Venice.
Is this true, and if not, did jim work out or train ? I know he did in his young
years as a skilled swimmer. Looking forward to the answer
Best regards
Philip
Answer Phil.
I will try to answer this as best I can but it is tricky. Jim’s father George was a Rear Admiral in the US Navy and he passed away last year. It makes sense that Morrison was a good swimmer and I have noted in the past that he did well at the sport.
Regarding him being a member of Gold Gym in Venice Beach California?? I honestly can not say for certain mate whether it’s true.
I wasn’t born until 1966 and don’t know what the 60’s lifestyle really entailed, but on your behalf I did ask a guy I know who lived the era (he was born in 1950) But he did say to me that gym’s in those days were pretty rare and unless you had a specific purpose to train, like a football player or boxer then working out was not a great deal in those days, unlike the health clubs we have in the 21st Century. He said that gym’s were a pretty specialised kind of thing back then.
A tip! I would contact them and pretend you were doing some research on his life for a book etc, ask if they have any records of one James Douglas Morrison born December 8 1943 in Melbourne Florida when he was attending UCLA College. Was he ever a member and was Ray Manzarek a member also.
I gained my knowledge of The Doors by reading, asking people who were there and via my contacts from my field of commercial radio which opens a lot of doors.
Phil, the one thing we have learned from volunteering our time here on AllExperts is that the “27 Club” which entails Morrison, Hendrix, Joplin etc, lot of it is hearsay and myth. The things I have heard about Jim were fantasy to say the least and a lot of his personal life is open to discussion. And always keep in mind too, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Doors etc, etc, were just pioneers in music and because they were rebels in a way for that era they went down in history. There are equally great bands around today but they just followed on from what those guys did in the 60’s and 70’s.
I interviewed John Densmore on the radio about 9 years ago. He said that Jim was really a quiet guy and not outgoing, but he also mentioned he was a lost child in a way and never really found his place in life long term. I asked John this question. “John. If Jim Morrison was alive today, how do you think he’d react to the legend status that surrounds him? Densmore (laughs) Said he would have shrugged his shoulders and said why all the fuss?” That’s the kind of guy I think he was.
So Phil, sharing a little background there with you.
I hope this has helped answer your question and if I can help any further let me know.
