WCSX Classic Cuts : Back Door Man
WCSX Classic Cuts
The Doors: “Back Door Man”
The Hook: Their homage to the blues, its prolific writer, Willie Dixon, and two bluesmen who performed it.
Album: The Doors
Year: 1967
Writer: Willie Dixon
Stats: Never released on a single.
Background: The Doors’ version of “Back Door Man” has gotten rock radio airplay since its release in 1967. In a 1980s interview, keyboardist Ray Manzarek explained why they chose it to cover.
The late Ray Manzarek on The Doors ‘ cover of “Back Door Man.” OC:…those bluesmen. :21
“’Back Door Man’ is a great Willie Dixon song. Willie Dixon is almost the king of the blues writers. ‘Back Door Man’ is our homage to the blues and Willie Dixon. And the first version I heard of this is, of course, Howlin’ Wolf, but also a white blues artist, John Hammond Junior, did a great version of ‘Back Door Man.’ So ‘Back Door Man’ is our homage to both of those bluesmen.”
