John Densmore

In the '50s, West L.A. was like Kansas.

— John Densmore

Sound is everything to a musician.

— John Densmore

I'm from the Vietnam generation.

— John Densmore

Everybody is a seeker to a degree.

— John Densmore

I like myself being a survivor.

— John Densmore

Eddie Vedder? My God, there's a singer.

— John Densmore

I love 'L.A. Woman.'

— John Densmore

The Doors are Ray, Robby, Jim and John.

— John Densmore

Anyone can play Doors songs, unless it's for an ad for some product.

— John Densmore

The first drum beat we all heard was our mother.

— John Densmore

Going first is courageous. I'm just talking on a spirit level now.

— John Densmore

Jim had a spirit that was incapable of compromise.

— John Densmore

We were not folk-rock. We would scare people.

— John Densmore

I was raised Catholic. I didn't appreciate the guilt and sin part of it.

— John Densmore

Creativity and self-destruction sometimes come in the same package.

— John Densmore

I've been a longtime supporter of all sorts of environmental groups.

— John Densmore

I'm happy with how 'Feast Of Friends' finally turned out. It's been bootlegged so much, and of course, the quality was always…

— John Densmore

I'm not the fastest drummer in the world, but I'm very into dynamics and knowing that there's space in between the notes…

— John Densmore

When I do a press roll, I use the traditional grip. Sometimes I flip it around; for a louder crack on the…

— John Densmore

I sometimes joke that I'm half Jewish, because I was raised Catholic... and we share 'the guilt.'

— John Densmore

At the risk of sounding grandiose, I will say that, to me, rock 'n' roll is sacred.

— John Densmore

Most of what is said by candidates on the right is half-baked truths and fabrications coated in 'patriotism or family values.'

— John Densmore

I don't like totally free jazz, unless it's done by somebody like Coltrane, who did bebop and cool jazz, so he was…

— John Densmore

I got Cs in English at school. I hated it. But now I want to be a writer and I'm voracious for…

— John Densmore

I had the first XJ6 and then they became real popular with lawyers so I had to move on. The only problem…

— John Densmore

Even though the white-haired politician has no colorful wardrobe, after he speaks... you want to hug him. Why? Because what Bernie Sanders…

— John Densmore

We drummers all know that our mother's heartbeat was the first instrument we heard. As a race, we've all been trying to…

— John Densmore

There were some hardcore fans who thought I was ruining the band they loved. And now there's this document, 'The Doors Unhinged,'…

— John Densmore

Echo & the Bunnymen just copied 'People Are Strange,' which is cool, we made some money, thanks. But when an artist finds…

— John Densmore

I knew Jim was going down, but was very pleased that somehow, despite his self-destruction, when we rehearsed, wrote songs and recorded,…

— John Densmore

In the 1950s, my family first lived in West Los Angeles. Dad was studying architecture at USC and we didn't have a…

— John Densmore

Many years ago, I spent 5k at a fundraiser to hang with another lame duck: Bill Clinton. I lobbied him to pardon…

— John Densmore

If I had been the drummer for the Grassroots, it probably wouldn't have cut me to the core when I heard John…

— John Densmore

Jim had melodies as well as words. He didn't know how to play a chord on any instrument, but he had melodies…

— John Densmore

I mean, take 'Chariots Of Fire.' That opening scene, the long shot of the runners along the beach, and then you hear…

— John Densmore

Jazz musicians are spiritual by nature.

— John Densmore

Death trumps everything.

— John Densmore

Painters 'see' the world; musicians 'hear' it.

— John Densmore

The Doors are etched on my forehead and always will be.

— John Densmore

The whole world is hopefully heading toward democracy.

— John Densmore