The main center of activity from 1968 to 1972 for [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]The Doors[/lastfm]‘ business, recording and rehearsing was located at 8512 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood. This is where manager Bill Siddons ran the day to day operations.  The recording and rehearsal space in that office was called “The Doors Workshop.”

[photogallerylink id=81134 align=right]The entire album L.A. Woman was recorded here on an eight-track tape deck by Bruce Botnick as co-producer with The Doors. Morrison set up his vocals in a bathroom to utilize the room’s natural reverb.

Most of the tracks were recorded live, except for a few overdubbed keyboard parts by [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Ray Manzerek[/lastfm]. Jerry Scheff, [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Elvis Presley[/lastfm]‘s bass player, was brought in to play bass.

Frequently, a young man named Danny Sugerman would hang around outside the studio, listening to the band rehearse. Eventually, [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Jim Morrison[/lastfm] invited him in to help answer fan mail. Sugarman went on to become the band’s manager after Morrison’s death in 1971, replacing Siddons. He wrote several books about The Doors, including No One Here Gets Out Alive and Wonderland Avenue. He died in 2005 after a long struggle with lung cancer.

Formerly an antique store, this legendary space went through many more renovations and ownerships over the years. As of July, 2011, the space was closed for visiting.

[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Ray Manzerek[/lastfm] and [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Robby Krieger[/lastfm] performing “L.A. Woman” live at OC Fair, California, August 5, 2011, with Dave Brock of the Doors tribute band, “Wild Child.”

See Doors Guide to Los Angeles for great info about “Doors Spots” in Los Angeles.