Paris tribute to rock legend

Paris on Saturday was the only place to be for die-hard Jim Morrison fans. Fifty years after his death at the age of 27, rock music lovers from France and across the world went to the Pere-Lachaise cemetery in eastern Paris where The Doors’ frontman is buried.

Many took candles and pictures, and some burned incense sticks near his grave as police watched nearby.

“Jim and The Doors have been heroes of ours since we were kids. It’s an honour to be here and celebrate the 50th anniversary of his death,” said Dutuar Platzek.

The 50-year-old fan made the trip from Halle, Germany, with his childhood friend Mathias Barthel. The two had not been back to the PereLachaise cemetery in more than 25 years. Year after year, the place has become a pilgrimage for fans of Morrison, known for his dark lyrics, wavy locks, leather trousers, steely gaze and theatrical stage presence.

He propelled The Doors to several major hits between 1965 and 1967, including Light My Fire, Hello I Love You, Touch Me and Riders On The Storm.

Michelle Campbell was 21, living in Texas and studying photography, when Morrison died in 1971.

Her first “July 3rd” – the anniversary of Morrison’s death – was in 1989. Back then, the grave was unmarked and a fan had crafted a wooden cross.

She has since moved to Paris and has been going to Pere-Lachaise almost every year, taking photographs of Morrison’s grave and his fans, many of whom have become friends. She said: I still come as much as I can because it’s just always so wonderful.”

Colleen Amblard drove seven hours from her home in Domancy, in the French Alps, to visit the grave. The 21-year-old student said: “It’s very emotional to be here, to remember Jim Morrison, to show he’s not forgotten. We acknowledge his talent and the fact that he was a brilliant person, he was really a genius.”

Morrison made his final album with The Doors – LA Woman – in 1971, and moved to Paris soon afterwards. There, on July 3 1971, he was found dead in a bath. No post mortem examination was carried out and accounts of what caused his death are disputed.

His status as a mythic figure for rock fans has never waned.

EMOTIONAL DAY: Fans of singer Jim Morrison at his tomb in Pere-Lachaise cemetery.