Amazing and evidently one-of-a-kind Morrison Hotel album, signed on the inside gatefold over his face in blue felt tip, “J. Morrison.” After the lukewarm reception for their experimental The Soft Parade, the Doors went back to the blues-inflected basics for their follow-up album, Morrison Hotel, in 1970. After the owners of the Morrison Hotel (a real establishment at 1246 South Hope Street in Los Angeles) denied permission to photograph there, the band managed to sneak inside as a photographer captured the now-iconic image of the band members gazing through the window. Rock and roll expert Roger Epperson has enthusiastically gone on record stating that this is the only album authentically signed by Morrison that he has ever seen. Before the album came into the possession of our consignor, Epperson acquired it directly from the original recipient, who, in turn, explained that he obtained Morrison’s signature in Seattle in 1970, shortly after the album’s release. The man, who lived next door to the auditorium where the Doors were to perform, saw Morrison smoking a cigarette outside during a sound check, chatted with the musician, and handed the album to Morrison, who signed it in the man’s presence. After extensive research, we were unable to turn up a single example of any other album bearing Morrison’s authentic signature. While any form of Morrison’s signature is scarce and desirable, the significance and very special nature of this item raises its status from mere rarity to the most exclusive echelon in the field of collecting: a true singularity. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA. Signature a shade or two light, a bit of indistinct contrast to a few strokes of signature (over Morrison’s hair), and some partial separations to horizontal edges of signed side of gatefold, otherwise fine condition. The record is included. Auction LOA Roger Epperson/REAL and R&R COA.
