RELATED: Jim Morrison, the rock musician, was influenced by shamanism, and performances of his group, The Doors, contained ritualistic elements. One of their songs was titled “Shaman Blues,” and another contained references to “the Lizard King,” an appellation for Morrison himself. The case can be made that Morrison served shamanic functions for his “community” of fans. However, he lacked the commitment to this community and the disciplined use of altered states of consciousness that characterize traditional shamans. When he died in 1971, shamanic references abounded. However, at best, Morrison can be considered a failed shaman. MORE