Grace Slick On Jim Morrison: "So Screwy" & Her Admiration
Was Jim Morrison really the Lizard King, a misunderstood genius, or simply a man consumed by his own excesses? Grace Slick, the iconic voice of Jefferson Airplane, offers a perspective that shatters the romanticized image, revealing a far more complicated and, at times, unflattering portrait of the Doors frontman.
The swirling, psychedelic tapestry of the 1960s rock scene was a breeding ground for myth and legend. It was an era of boundary-pushing experimentation, both musically and personally. For some, like Jim Morrison, this meant embracing a lifestyle of excess and self-destruction, pushing the limits of what the human body and mind could endure. Slick, a peer and a participant in this tumultuous world, had a front-row seat to the drama. Her recollections, shared over decades in interviews and her 1998 autobiography, offer a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the reality behind the rock and roll facade.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Grace Barnett Slick (ne Wing) |
| Born | October 30, 1939 (age 84) |
| Birthplace | Highland Park, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, artist, model |
| Years Active | 1960s 1990s (music); 1990s Present (art) |
| Associated Acts | Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, Starship |
| Musical Genres | Psychedelic rock, Acid rock, Hard rock |
| Notable Songs | "Somebody to Love", "White Rabbit", "We Built This City" |
| Key Albums (with Jefferson Airplane) | Surrealistic Pillow (1967), After Bathing at Baxter's (1967), Volunteers (1969) |
| Key Albums (with Jefferson Starship/Starship) | Red Octopus (1975), Knee Deep in the Hoopla (1985) |
| Artistic Pursuits | Painting, Printmaking; portraits of fellow musicians (including Morrison), pop culture figures |
| Personal Life | Known for her relationships with Paul Kantner (bandmate) and her perspective on Jim Morrison. Arrested three times for DUI (without a car) |
| Reference | AllMusic - Grace Slick |
The narrative surrounding Morrison is often painted in broad strokes: a poet, a rebel, a shaman. Slick, however, doesn't shy away from the less glamorous aspects of his persona. She doesn't offer the rose-tinted view, the adoration that many in the rock world afforded him. Her assessment is more pragmatic, less forgiving. She saw a man grappling with his demons, a man who, in her estimation, was "so screwy" a stark contrast to the mythic figure so often celebrated.
The West Hollywood's Tropicana Motel, 1967: a pivotal year and setting. It was a time of seismic shifts in culture, and the Tropicana, a low-slung haven for musicians and artists, was a microcosm of the burgeoning counterculture. It was here, in the hallways of this motel, where Slick encountered Morrison. Its a fleeting moment, a snapshot in a larger story. The recollections from that period, alongside the broader context of the '60s, paints a picture of a scene defined by excess, freedom, and the tragic consequences that followed. Slick's accounts, which surface in her autobiography and during later interviews, are delivered with a matter-of-factness that lends them credibility, cutting through the layers of romanticism and revealing the complexities of the man and his world.
In an interview held on December 12, 2015, Grace Slick reflected on the deaths of Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison. It was a reminder of the price some paid for their artistic expression and the recklessness of the times. For Slick, Morrisons death wasn't a surprise; it was almost an inevitability given his self-destructive behavior. While many mourned the loss of a rock icon, Slick, having seen firsthand the toll his lifestyle took, seemed less surprised than resigned.
Slicks perspective is particularly valuable because she was not simply an observer; she was an active participant in the scene. She understood the pressures, the temptations, and the inherent dangers of the rock and roll lifestyle. Her candor about her own experiences, including her interactions with Morrison and other figures like Mick Jagger, offers a rare authenticity. She shared drugs with Morrison and his tour mates during their Amsterdam travels. She details the regret of sexual encounter with Morrison, and candidly discusses the pitfalls of fame and the corrosive effects of addiction.
Her recollection offers insight into the turbulent relationships, and the constant presence of risk. Slick doesnt shy away from the messy details. She details the "fling" with Morrison. In calling him "screwy", she effectively dismantles the mythology, which gives her testimony a visceral and compelling quality. It's the perspective of someone who was there, who lived it, and who is willing to share the truth, even if it shatters the illusions.
Moreover, Slick's reflections on Morrison extend beyond the personal. She offers a broader commentary on the era. Her views on the counterculture were a force of cultural change in the United States and around the world. It was a period of experimentation, self-discovery, and also profound loss. The deaths of Joplin and Morrison, among others, served as a tragic reminder of the price of excess. Slicks perspective, while critical, is not devoid of compassion. She recognizes the talent, the charisma, and the demons that ultimately consumed him. This nuanced understanding is what makes her account so compelling.
Beyond her musical achievements, Grace Slick is a visual artist. Her artwork is a testament to her enduring legacy. A signed, limited edition giclee print of Jim Morrison by Grace Slick is also available; titled "Pretty Boy," It provides another dimension to her exploration of the man. Her art is another way to understand her perspective, allowing her to express her experiences and feelings.
Slick's assessment of Morrison, delivered with the wisdom that comes from surviving the excesses of the 1960s, offers a critical counterpoint to the romanticized image of the Lizard King. She doesnt dismiss his impact, but she refuses to let the myth obscure the reality. It is this honesty, this willingness to speak the truth, that makes her account such a vital contribution to understanding a pivotal moment in rock and roll history. Slick reveals that the music world was a dangerous place for those at the top, and those who survived have stories to tell.
The story of Jim Morrison and Grace Slick is a testament to the power of memory, the complexities of fame, and the enduring appeal of rock and roll. Through Slick's eyes, we see a more human portrait of the icon, a man flawed and fascinating, and the world that shaped him.
