Friday, March 29, 2024

Sunday: 50th Anniversary of The Doors Defying Ed Sullivan And Singing Their Lyrics to “Light My Fire”

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Screen Shot 2017-09-15 at 9.17.01 AMThis Sunday is the 50th anniversary of The Doors’ one and only appearance on CBS’s “Ed Sullivan Show.”

They defied Ed and CBS by singing the actual lyrics to “Light My Fire,” their number 1 hit. Instead of singing ‘Girl we couldn’t get much higher’ they were told to replace it with, ’Girl, there’s nothing I require.’

Jim Morrison refused, and sang the song properly. Sullivan was furious, and the Doors never returned.

Sullivan probably thought he could get away with it. Both Elvis Presley and the Rolling Stones had previously been censored. Aretha Franklin never made it onto the show because of a dress Sullivan disliked.

Here Ray Manzarek of The Doors recalls what happened to his group.

PS The other guests that night included Rodney Dangerfield, and Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.
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