A marble sculpture of the iconic rock star Jim Morrison went missing in 1988, sparking years of uncertainty and speculation among fans. However, after 37 years, the sculpture has been unexpectedly found in Paris during an unrelated investigation.
The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office recently announced the recovery of the long-lost bust. The sculpture was discovered by the police’s Financial and Anti-Corruption Brigade while carrying out a search order from a magistrate at the Paris Court.
Manager of Morrison’s estate, Jeff Jampol, expressed surprise at the discovery, describing it as an intriguing turn of events. The bust, sculpted by Croatian artist Mladen Mikulin from Macedonian white marble, was originally placed on Morrison’s grave in 1981 to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Doors’ frontman’s passing.
Over the years, the sculpture suffered damage, with its nose and lips chipped and covered in graffiti. In 1988, it disappeared entirely. The recently recovered sculpture remains in the same condition as when it vanished, still bearing the marks of old graffiti and a broken nose.
The fate of the sculpture, whether it will be returned to the grave or undergo further investigation, remains uncertain. Jim Morrison, renowned for his role in the 1960s music scene with the Doors, left a lasting impact through his experimental and provocative music style.
Morrison, nicknamed The Lizard King, was known for his captivating voice and rebellious performances that symbolized counterculture. His influence extended beyond music, drawing inspiration from poets like William Blake, Jack Kerouac, and Allen Ginsberg.
In 1971, Morrison relocated to Paris with his partner, Pamela Courson, to focus on poetry writing. Tragically, he was found dead in their apartment bathtub at the age of 27, with his death attributed to a heart attack. He was laid to rest in Paris’s Père-Lachaise Cemetery among other cultural luminaries.
Despite the bust being a tangible link to Morrison’s legacy for fans, Jampol emphasized the importance of Morrison’s art, music, poetry, and filmmaking over physical artifacts. The focus remains on preserving Morrison’s artistic contributions rather than material objects associated with him.