One of the unexpected highlights of my trip to Europe earlier this year was stumbling upon the grave of Jim Morrison, frontman for The Doors, while in the 20th arrondissement.
Located in Paris' Père Lachaise Cemetery, Morrison's grave is a pilgrimage for thousands of fans, young and old. His gravestone is adorned with photos, flowers, jewelry and trinkets left in commemoration of his music career, life, and history. While I was there, a man sat nearby with a radio playing Doors tunes while basking in the warm, Paris sun.
I say this was an unexpected highlight since, at first, I hadn't thought about Morrison when I first entered the cemetery. Père Lachaise is located just around the corner from my daughter's apartment, and while out on a stroll, we just happened across it. But, within moments, it dawned on me that this cemetery, filled with notable persons, could be Morrison's final resting place. Grabbing my phone, I searched the web, and became excited with the discovery that I was near the late, great singer's grave. I had to make my way there.
Using my phone, I was able to navigate through both towering tombs and more subtle stones to reach this musical mecca. There was a small crowd there, and I patiently waited for my turn to stand in front of the grave for this photo opportunity.
True to his Own Spirit
Surrounded now by an iron railing, it was easy to see that over the preceding years, overzealous fans had chipped away at the stone and surrounding granite in order to take away a small token of the site. (See bottom left of phone #2.) I satisfied myself to simple stand and look, and to snap a photo of the site.
Underneath Morrison's name and dates, is engraved ΚΑΤΑ ΤΟΝ ΔΑΙΜΟΝΑ ΕΑΥΤΟΥ. The phrase is Greek for "true to his own spirit." It is a fitting inscription for a man who lived his life his own way, no matter the cost to himself, or others.
An Ironic Decision
Ironically, Morrison is buried in Père Lachaise Cemetery after a chance visit he made there, just weeks prior to his death. Also buried in the cemetery, was famed composer Chopin, a childhood idol of Morrison's. Upon finding Chopin's tomb there, Morrison decided that one day, he would be buried there, too.
I wonder if Morrison suspected that it would be so soon...?
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