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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…

1968: American rock group The Doors arrive at London Airport in 1968, they are, from left to right; John Densmore, Bobby Krieger, Jim Morrison (1943 – 1971) and Ray Manzarek. (Photo by Express/Express/Getty Images)

(Photo by Express/Express/Getty Images)

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.”