Rating: 
Summary: An interesting but sad book
Review: I would recommend this book to Doors fans but caution that you may find it depressing because Densmore intentionally or unintentionally shows the extent to which Morrison was alone and isolated. The book details the way in which the people commercially benefitting from Morrison's talents, looks et al did nothing to help him even when he was out of control and obviously at a minimum needed to be given time off from performing. It seems no-one attempted to reach out to Jim Morrison the alcoholic because as he said himself he had become the "prince of industry" too many people's egos and mortgages depended on him. It is a really depressing read full of Densmores insecurities, Densmore was a great drummer in a great band. However he does himself a disservice with a lot of the petty, immature commentary in this book. but hey take a look for yourself. It seems ironic that here is Densmore cashing in again...hey Elvis you weren't alone.
Rating: 
Summary: Good insight into the world of Jim Morrison and the Doors
Review: This book was really good because it showed a different side of Jim Morrison and the Doors. Jim was always put into the spotlight because of his "bad" behavior. John shows that sure Jim did some stupid things, but he was a person who makes mistakes, and that there were a lot of good times in the Doors camp. John Densmore brings to this book that many cannot: experience! Not only is he a good drummer, but he is a good author!
Rating: 
Summary: Another Victim of JimmyLand?
Review: I consider myself a great fan of the Doors. At the same time, I am a greater fan of the writing and considerable contribution of the members. Riders on the Storm is a sympathetic look at John Densmore, the often ignored drummer of the band.
When I finished this book I was absolutely sure that like 99% of the poeple who claim to be fans of the music, John Densmore 'just didn't get it'. I am far from defending the behaviors of Morrision, but his work is untouchable. The book focuses upon Densmore's weak perceptions and rememberances- and his child-like worship/resentment on Morrision. I finished feeling that Densmore believes himself the victim of the great success and failures of the band.
It is worth reading, but keep a copy of "Wilderness" close to remind yourself of the undeniable talent he is speaking of.
Rating:
Summary: 10 out of 5 stars!!
Review: I chose to do my book report on the book called , The Riders On The Storm , by John Densmore. This book mainly talks about the life of John Densmore as the drummer of the 60's rock group, The Doors. It starts off by John going to Paris to see Jim Morison's grave. Then it goes back in time when The Doors we actually becoming a famous band. The books talks about how they went through numerous problems and how they overcame it. John shows the reader what lied inside their world of the doors, what we couldn't see.What I like in this book is all the humor and all the entertaining/ interesting stories that were told in the book. My favorite part of the book would have to be about the draft. All the silly thing they did to try and avoid going to the army, saying that they were gay, eating foil, taking drugs, I found that hilarious. When I read the book a felt a connection between the reader (Me) and the writer (John) when he would talk about his feelings toward the song, kind of like he read my mind , I liked that too. What I didn't like about the book was that John would start to go into detail he would go off-topic some what and then later he would get back on track, it was very confusing I tend to lose my place. Also when he starts to tell a story about his girlfriend for like a page and 30 pages later he would mention her, kind of bad timing. Sometimes he would say one thing then say the opposite. Overall I really like the book a lot and I would recommend it to any one who is a Doors' fan. I had lot of fun reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Amazing
Review: Wow, John Densmore writes the most accurate account of what it was like to live during the days of Jim Morrison. He is capable of making you fear and love Jim at the same time, yet still presenting him as one of the greatest poets of all times ! This book goes into deep detail about life outside of the band as well as within. It gives you the information about the other band members, unlike most books that focus solely on Jim Morrison. Excellent book. Excellent author. Excellent band !!
Rating:
Summary: Densmore Opens The Doors
Review: "Riders On The Storm" is a very enjoyable read the whole way through and is recommended for all Doors fans, those curious about the Doors, and of course the classic rock fanatics.
Doors drummer John Densmore gives us an inside look into the world of the band and he never misses a beat; never holding back what needs to be said. He gives it to us straight out, and doesn't paint us a rosy picture or glamorize what the band did every second. The trials and tribulations are all here.
You will get to know the personalities of these four men. Jim Morrison was initially a shy lead singer who would do his work with his eyes closed. Quiet, Robbie Krieger would indulge calmly into his guitaring and drift to another world. Keyboardist Ray Manzarek would hunch over into a seemingly hypnotic trance as his fingers pounded the melodies. And John Densmore himself takes us through his adventures of drumming and all the quirks that go with it.
Densmore will lead you up the rainy path in Paris, France to the famous grave of The Doors legendary singer, Jim Morrison. Through Densmore's writing, you can feel the guilt, confusion, anger and pain that he himself and the other band members felt in regards to Jim's death and what Jim had done to lead up to it. Loyal Doors fans still flock to Jim's grave today, and Densmore gives us a feel of the chaos that can come with visiting Jim's grave, as well as the what the fans have left behind.
Densmore will invite you into The Doors' breakthrough gig at the "Whiskey-A-Go-Go" and he will bring you right into the studio to make you feel the excitment and tension of coming up with material for album after album. You will watch as the band works at getting the beats and musical organization just right, and deals with Morrison's unpredictability.
Densmore will take you on the road during tours where junk food, drugs, booze, parties and women are abundant. And you'll get a front row seat to The Doors' best performances and how they clicked just perfectly to pull off magnificant shows. But you will also witness Morrison's controversial antics on stage and the chaos it created, from the "javelin throw" in Germany to the controversy of Morrison "exposing himself," to the police bringing things to a halt right on stage.
Densmore will offer you a look into his personal life as well, which includes avoiding the draft, his experimentation with acid, getting into the "hippie culture," his coming-of-age sexual desires and relationships, his roots of how he grew up, and the struggle with his schizophrenic younger brother Jim. In addition, you will see how Pam Courson and Jim Morrison met and became soulmates, as well as read about the women in keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robbie Kreiger's lives.
And of course, Densmore tells us about his feelings concerning Jim Morrison, including Jim's battle with alcoholism and drugs, the intimidation of Jim's unpredictability and antics, and the pain of watching Jim's health decline to where it eventually lead to his death in Paris shortly after the "L.A. Woman" album was released.
Most of all, you can see John Densmore's love for Jim Morrison. John was indeed fascinated by what Jim could do and he admired him very much. One reviewer said it well; there was definitely a brotherly love there through all the ups and downs. John shows us this throughout the book whether it be in the studio, on the road, or on stage. There was a definite bond between these four men; a bond that lead them to their mark as one of the greatest bands of all time. They definitely had their fun together.
Buy this book, and take the journey with John Densmore and The Doors. It is an interesting adventure of fun, laughs, tensions, pain, anger, sadness, concerts, social events and interactions; everything that goes with being a rock band. Densmore writes this book in a way that enables you to get right into their world and their experiences. It is very well-written; smooth and very interesting. It is highly recommended so buy it now!
Rating:
Summary: the truth and nothing but the truth... well almost
Review: After reading so many things glorifying Jim Morrison, which believe me, I still do, it is refreshing to read someone admit how arrogant and cruel Jim could be. Especially when it is from one of his peers. I still believe Jim was a tortured soul and when looked at behind the glass of that which was Jim himself, it was easy to misinterpret him. But in order to get a true feel for the real Jim you have to look at all sides of the spectrum, and in this book you are faced with the very brusque truths let on by the drummer and friend behind(literally) Jim; John Densmore.
Rating:
Summary: Best account of the Doors
Review: In the writing of this book, John Densmore seems to be coming to grips with the death of an old friend, nearly twenty years after is happened. Densmore never mourned the loss of Jim Morrison, mostly because of the intense love-hate relationship the drummer and the singer shared throughout their career together. Perhaps this book is his apology for not attending the funeral, or for continually avoiding the trips to Paris' Pere Lachaise cemetery where the Lizard King eternally rests. The best part about "Riders on the Storm" is that this could be the first book about Morrison that chooses not to glorify him as some magical shaman, brought forth by more powerful forces to meld rock and poetry once and for all. Densmore knew Morrison as a human being, and tells all his stories, the good, the bad and the ugly. Despite what Densmore may feel about Morrison, he talks about him honestly, saying why he was so mad at him, and understanding why people were, and still are, so completely enamoured by him. There are some great anecdotes in this book, many of them really funny, some of them sad. It is dissapointing to hear about the demise of this once-great band, mainly because of Jim's excess. From being the reinventors of rock to a standard cliche is a sad decline, and it is interesting to hear about it from the point of view of Densmore, someone who was truly passionate about music, and was also very good at his craft. One of the better jazz drummers of our time, it is also good that Densmore focuses alot on the actual music of the Doors, and not just the life of Jim Morrison, something that has been quite neglected in his other biographies. In the end we see that, at least to John Densmore, drummer for the Doors, Jim Morrison was just a man. Maybe he was a creative genius, maybe not. Maybe he was someone to truly despise, or maybe he was just a friend who happened to have died tragically following an intensely lived life. This is what the author is coming to terms with, and he allows the readers to follow him on this sad journey of money, music, fame, sex, death and acceptance.
Rating:
Summary: Riding the storm out
Review: I enjoyed this book immensely. Densmore has a personable, clear, consise style of writing and expresses himself very well. I felt I was there as he described events that happened 30 years ago. I laughed out loud at certain anecdotes in the book, especially when he describes avoiding the draft. For being the "uptight" one in the Doors, Densmore does have a sense of humour that comes through in his writing. He neither trashes Jim, nor does he gloss over Jim. He just tells it like it was. I never sensed any jealousy, just frustration, intimidation, fear, anger, but also admiration and brotherly love. Complex feelings. Clearly that's what Densmore is trying to get through, he wants to explain himself and isn't trying to hide or gloss over. There are many great anecdotes in this book, some funny, some sad, some plain scary! I could understand why Densmore felt the way he did at any given time, he explains it so well. The Doors were 4 very different personalities, obviously. I don't see any of them as being "the bad guy", but they obviously bumped heads due to personality clashes. That's life! Densmore was a teenager when he joined the Doors, so he pretty much grew up with them as well. That's another thing I found so interesting, Densmore sharing his growing-up with the reader, the things he learned along the way. He often addresses Jim directly in the book, telling Jim he learned integrity from him. I couldn't put this book down, very addictive reading.
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