A Piece of Rock History Resurfaces
Jim Morrison bust recovered in France after nearly 40 years, bringing closure to a decades-old rock mystery. French police located it during an unrelated search, officials said Friday. The statue disappeared in 1988 from Morrison’s gravesite in Paris’ Père Lachaise Cemetery.
Mladen Mikulin, a Croatian artist, made the sculpture in 1981 to commemorate Morrison’s death ten years earlier. Fans turned the location into a shrine, often covering it with inscriptions, song lyrics, and graffiti.
The Doors’ Legacy Lives On
Jim Morrison, frontman of The Doors, captivated audiences with his poetic lyrics and wild stage presence. Songs like “Light My Fire”, “Riders on the Storm”, and “Hello I Love You” turned the band into legends between 1965 and 1971.
Morrison died in Paris at age 27, on July 3, 1971. Authorities didn’t perform an autopsy, and rumors about his death still swirl. His grave remains one of the most visited in Paris.
Reaction from Morrison’s Estate
A representative for Morrison’s estate welcomed the recovery. “It’s a piece of history,” they said. “Jim’s family always wanted the bust back on his grave.”
The sculpture was found by France’s Financial and Anti-Corruption Brigade. Officials haven’t revealed who had it or how they found it.
A Quiet Restored Memorial
The recovered bust may return to the iconic gravesite, which also holds the remains of Edith Piaf and Oscar Wilde. Croatian artist Mikulin has expressed hope that the original or a replica can be restored properly and preserved.
Fans worldwide continue to visit Morrison’s grave. The return of the bust brings back a key part of the memorial and rekindles memories of rock’s golden age.
Source: NBC News
