Are the Doors, for as well known as they are; the most underrated rock band?

[shockedcanadian]

Their weird songs such as The End just ruined their reputation as much as it helped them with shock value. I am more into guitar driven music and The Doors just are not that.

However, consider some of their unique songs which stand the test of time and which no band could produce today:

L.A Woman
Roadhouse Blues
Light My Fire
Peace Frog
Riders on the Storm
Crystal Ship
Unknown Soldier
Hello I Love You
People are Strange (awkward but purely original)
Five To One?

Even songs that are not on the level of the most popular bands in history, they can swing from a campy California band you might hear in a pub to some heavy southern rock song. Most importantly, 95% original which unlike the British bands (including the Beatles), they did not take directly from American blues (except for Back Door Man if my memory is correct).

The band just accepted their role as being in the background and set the canvas for Morrison to paint at will. Before they were big, Morrison was offered a deal to leave his band but he refused. Loyalty over money (not even Freddie Mercury remained that loyal).

Anyways, here is my input for them to ascend to the status of greatness they may not always receive. Jim was too wasted and controversial for them to be seen as a big arena band. The band was not that impressive technically but they were quite original and played like a band, not individual pieces (other than letting their frontman, much like Queen, to take the spotlight),

 

[Harry Dresden]

i liked them....their music fit the S.Cal rock scene of the late 60's...

 

[Mr Natural]

They’re in my top five list of favorite bands.

 

[Unkotare]

What the hell is the OP talking about? They are highly rated.

 

[shockedcanadian]

What the hell is the OP talking about? They are highly rated.

Prove it.

They have a strong base of loyal fans but they are more niche then legends.

I have never heard them spoken in the same sentence as the biggest bands in history. Perhaps I just dont run in the same circles as you.

 

[Unkotare]

Prove it.

They have a strong base of loyal fans but they are more niche then legends.

I have never heard them spoken in the same sentence as the biggest bands in history. Perhaps I just dont run in the same circles as you.

You’re crazy.

 

[Muhammed]

Their weird songs such as The End just ruined their reputation as much as it helped them with shock value. I am more into guitar driven music and The Doors just are not that.

However, consider some of their unique songs which stand the test of time and which no band could produce today:

L.A Woman
Roadhouse Blues
Light My Fire
Peace Frog
Riders on the Storm
Crystal Ship
Unknown Soldier
Hello I Love You
People are Strange (awkward but purely original)
Five To One?

Even songs that are not on the level of the most popular bands in history, they can swing from a campy California band you might hear in a pub to some heavy southern rock song. Most importantly, 95% original which unlike the British bands (including the Beatles), they did not take directly from American blues (except for Back Door Man if my memory is correct).

Roadhouse Blues is straight up 12 bar blues.

 

[shockedcanadian]

Roadhouse Blues is straight up 12 bar blues.

So much more to it though from the singing delivery to the piano, and energy. The true blues musicians created a basic framework but rock bands produced a progressive evolution no question.

 

[Rawley]

Prove it.

They have a strong base of loyal fans but they are more niche then legends.

I have never heard them spoken in the same sentence as the biggest bands in history. Perhaps I just dont run in the same circles as you.

Rock and Roll Hall of fame.

I've play golf with Robby Krieger a few times - a friend of a friend. Nice guy. Quiet.

 

[Montrovant]

Prove it.

They have a strong base of loyal fans but they are more niche then legends.

I have never heard them spoken in the same sentence as the biggest bands in history. Perhaps I just dont run in the same circles as you.

18th on this list: The 250+ Greatest Rock Bands Of All Time, Ranked
42nd on this list: https://parade.com/1020922/jessicasager/best-rock-bands-of-all-time/
13th on this list: 50 Best Rock Bands of All Time (March 2026) Greatest Groups Ranked - VVN News
36th on this list: The 50 best rock bands of all time
However, Billboard doesn't have them in the top 50: The 50 Best Rock Bands (Full List): Staff Picks

 

[Montrovant]

Their weird songs such as The End just ruined their reputation as much as it helped them with shock value. I am more into guitar driven music and The Doors just are not that.

However, consider some of their unique songs which stand the test of time and which no band could produce today:

L.A Woman
Roadhouse Blues
Light My Fire
Peace Frog
Riders on the Storm
Crystal Ship
Unknown Soldier
Hello I Love You
People are Strange (awkward but purely original)
Five To One?

Even songs that are not on the level of the most popular bands in history, they can swing from a campy California band you might hear in a pub to some heavy southern rock song. Most importantly, 95% original which unlike the British bands (including the Beatles), they did not take directly from American blues (except for Back Door Man if my memory is correct).

The band just accepted their role as being in the background and set the canvas for Morrison to paint at will. Before they were big, Morrison was offered a deal to leave his band but he refused. Loyalty over money (not even Freddie Mercury remained that loyal).

Anyways, here is my input for them to ascend to the status of greatness they may not always receive. Jim was too wasted and controversial for them to be seen as a big arena band. The band was not that impressive technically but they were quite original and played like a band, not individual pieces (other than letting their frontman, much like Queen, to take the spotlight),

I don't consider The End a 'weird' song, other than the last section with Morrison doing his ranting. If you listen to a version with that cut out, it's just an excellent song. I think they had other songs that were 'weirder' than that.

I love The Doors, when they're good. They have some stinkers, though. Actually, I think a lot of the big 60s and 70s rock bands are pretty up and down with their music. It probably had to do with how much experimentation they were doing.

 

[Cassandro]

The Dave Clark Five was the best traveling rock band.

 

[lg325]

They created their own sound as did some other groups of that time. That's. the main thing I liked about them and others of that time. So that can't be compared to any other groups. You like their music or you don't.