The Doors’ Historic 1968 SPAC Backstage Footage Captures Jim Morrison at His Most Unpredictable

The year **1968** was pivotal for **The Doors**, a band that by then had firmly established itself as one of the most electrifying acts in rock. Riding high on the success of their first three albums, they were preparing to embark on their much-anticipated European tour. But before crossing the Atlantic, the band gave a memorable performance at the **Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)** on **September 1, 1968**, a night that would mark both their final U.S. appearance before heading overseas and the last performance filmed for their ill-fated documentary project, *Feast of Friends*.

According to *doorshistory.com*, Jim Morrison and his film crew boarded a plane to New York prior to the show, setting the stage for an evening that would prove anything but mellow. Morrison initially emerged slowly, with a calm, almost serene swagger, giving the impression of a subdued night ahead. But the illusion didn’t last. The band launched into a fierce rendition of **“Back Door Man”**, igniting a performance that was intense, raw, and unrelenting. Morrison’s vocals were electrifying, his presence magnetic, and the band matched his energy with thunderous precision.

The show ended with a standing ovation, Morrison bowing before the crowd in appreciation. In a moment that encapsulated both his rebellious spirit and unpredictable nature, he abruptly leapt into the audience. Chaos erupted as police and security quickly intervened, extracting Morrison from the throng of ecstatic fans and guiding him back onto the stage. The audience, hungry for more, pleaded with the band to continue, but

the night had reached its end. The Doors had to move on — the next day, they would be on a plane bound for London to begin their European adventure.

But the story of that night didn’t stop with the SPAC show. On the way to New York, Morrison made an unscheduled stop at **The Aerodome in Schenectady, NY**, where he reportedly sat in with a local blues band. True to form, he played several numbers, drank heavily, and left another impromptu performance for those lucky enough to witness it.

What makes September 1, 1968, particularly significant in Doors history is not only the SPAC concert but also the rare **backstage color footage** that has since surfaced. Captured for *Feast of Friends*, the footage shows the band in a candid, intimate setting. It begins with **Ray Manzarek** at the piano, easing through a piece, before **Jim Morrison** takes over the keys. Pounding at the piano with little concern for harmony, Morrison delivers an improvised poem later titled **“Ode to Friedrich Nietzsche”**, a raw blend of beat poetry and chaotic energy that demonstrated his fascination with literature, philosophy, and improvisation.

Meanwhile, **Robby Krieger** can be seen in the background, casually noodling on his Gibson SG guitar, eventually slipping into a playful performance of **“Arthritis Blues.”** **Ray Manzarek**, always the jazz-influenced backbone of the group, delivers a rendition of **“Dahomey Dance”**, adding to the eclectic backstage atmosphere. **John Densmore**, along with Dorothy Fujikawa and Lynn Krieger, are also present, creating the sense of a gathering of friends more than a rock ’n’ roll entourage.

The footage is a rare time capsule, offering a glimpse into The Doors not as icons on stage but as artists in their element — experimenting, improvising, and living in the moment. Morrison’s poetic ramblings, combined with the informal performances from Krieger and Manzarek, reflect the free-spirited ethos of the late ’60s and the band’s commitment to blurring the boundaries between rock, jazz, blues, and spoken word.

For historians and fans alike, the SPAC show and its accompanying backstage film serve as a crucial piece of Doors mythology. It captures the volatile brilliance of Jim Morrison just weeks before the European tour that would expose the band to new audiences and solidify their reputation as one of the era’s most important groups.

More than five decades later, the September 1, 1968, Saratoga performance remains legendary — not only as the last U.S. show before The Doors’ European breakthrough but also as a night when Morrison’s charisma and unpredictability were on full display. From leaping into the crowd to pounding the piano in a backstage improvisation, it was Morrison and The Doors at their most untamed, leaving behind a document of raw artistry that continues to fascinate generations.