Soul Kitchen

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Soul Kitchen" by The Doors, a track that’s got the Zoo Freaks grooving with its funky blues-rock vibe. This song, from the band’s 1967 debut album, was inspired by a real place—Olivia’s Place, a soul food restaurant in Venice Beach, California, where Jim Morrison was a regular. He’d hang out so late that the staff, led by a warm-hearted woman named Olivia, often had to nudge him out the door, inspiring the lyric “let me sleep all night in your soul kitchen.” According to a 2024 post on X by The Doors’ official account, the restaurant was a sanctuary for Morrison amidst the chaos of his life. The song’s raw energy also caught the ear of punk rockers later on, with the band X delivering a high-octane cover on their 1980 debut album Los Angeles, produced by The Doors’ own Ray Manzarek, who was blown away by X’s live rendition at the Whisky a Go Go.

Another tidbit about "Soul Kitchen" comes from guitarist Robby Krieger, who revealed in interviews that he drew inspiration from soul legend James Brown, aiming to mimic a horn section with his guitar riffs. Music critic Greil Marcus, in his book The Doors: A Lifetime of Listening to Five Mean Years, likened the song to Van Morrison’s “Gloria,” noting its deliberate, almost physical cadence that pulls listeners into its groove. Fans on Reddit’s r/thedoors community have also shared their love for the track, with one 2016 post calling it a precursor to The Doors’ epic “When the Music’s Over” and praising X’s cover for its punk edge. The song’s cultural reach extended to the big screen, featuring in the 1994 film Forrest Gump and the 2003 documentary Mayor of the Sunset Strip, cementing its place in pop culture.

The Doors got their start in 1965 in Los Angeles, born from a chance meeting between Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek on Venice Beach. Morrison, a UCLA film student with a penchant for poetry, shared some lyrics with Manzarek, a classically trained keyboardist. The two clicked instantly, soon recruiting drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robby Krieger to form the band. Their name came from Aldous Huxley’s book The Doors of Perception, itself quoting William Blake: “If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, infinite.” This philosophy of pushing boundaries defined their sound, blending rock, blues, and psychedelic vibes. By 1966, they were gigging at clubs like the Whisky a Go Go, where their provocative live shows—driven by Morrison’s wild stage presence—caught the attention of Elektra Records, leading to their groundbreaking debut album.

Fans can dive deeper into The Doors’ world through their official channels: the band’s website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. For those craving community, the r/thedoors subreddit is a lively hub where Zoo Freaks can swap stories and trivia, with over 37,000 members as of 2022. There’s also the Doors Fans Facebook group, where enthusiasts post rare photos, concert memories, and debates about the band’s legacy. These spaces keep the spirit of The Doors alive, perfect for any Zoo Freak looking to connect with fellow devotees.