The Significance behind Jim Morrison’s Hair and Beard

The Doors were a hugely popular rock band in the late 1960s and early 70s. When they were active, they were very influential and among some of the most controversial rock figures.

To this day, the band comprising Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore is loved by music enthusiasts of the time. Even those who are not familiar with old rock bands have most probably heard of The Doors.

In the forefront of this iconic band stood Jim Morrison, who is, to this day, seen as a rock legend and a stud. He is also a fashion icon for many and his most known and copied style is definitely his curly hair that reached his shoulders.

The Doors (Image: Vogue)

The Significance Behind Morrison’s Hair

Morrison was idolized by many for his lyrical genius and musical talents. But his music wasn’t the only thing that sent waves in the 60s and 70s.

After The Doors’ meteoric rise, the hairstyle choice for many men changed as they followed in Morrison’s footsteps.

Unlike the conservative side-parted and gelled hairstyle for men that had been prevalent for many years, Morrison sported a free and curly hairstyle.

But aside from just the looks, his hairstyle had a much bigger significance.

Just as his hair was the complete opposite of the conservative style that had been almost unanimously shared by men, he too was very much different from most people.

Morrison is often described as a wild and rebellious rockstar and his unbridled hairstyle does a good job reflecting that.

Morrison was a maverick who was also an anti-Vietnam war activist. He frequently improvised mid-performance, adding lines spontaneously or changing the lyrics here and there.

His lyrics were also provocative and his music and style became almost synonymous with swimming against the current.

Poetry & Beard

Though Morrison’s rise to superstardom was quick, it wasn’t without problems. Even during The Doors’ initial days, he was already taking LSD as a recreational drug and his substance abuse further exacerbated with his newfound fame.

Morrison would often perform while inebriated. The situation continued getting worse, and he acted unhinged on multiple occasions.

At a show in Miami in 1969, he walked onto the stage completely drunk and started yelling, “You’re all a bunch of [expletive] idiots! You’re all a bunch of slaves!”

Jim Morrison with girlfriend Pamela Courson (Image: Vogue)

The Doors lead singer proceeded to unbuckle his belt and show his underwear. In August 1970, he was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior, indecent exposure, and profanity.

Morrison began moving away from his rockstar life and left the band in 1971. He moved to Paris to live there with his longtime girlfriend, Pamela Courson, and began concentrating on his poetry.

He began growing a beard which many people speculated was an effort to rebuild his image as a writer and poet who had a message to communicate — and not just an entertainer.

Morrison shaved his beard shortly before his death on July 3, 1971. The cause of his death was reported to be a heart attack.