Release and Reception
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic | link |
| Robert Christgau | A− link |
| Rolling Stone | (favorable) |
| The Rolling Stone Record Guide | |
| Slant Magazine | link |
The band embarked on a tour before completing the album, although it would only comprise two dates. The first was held in Dallas, Texas on December 11 and reportedly went well. The second performance took place at The Warehouse in New Orleans, Louisiana, on December 12, 1970, where Morrison apparently had a breakdown on stage. Midway through the set he slammed the microphone numerous times into the stage floor until the platform beneath was destroyed, then sat down and refused to perform for the remainder of the show. Drummer John Densmore recalls the incident in his biography Riders on the Storm, where after the show he met with Ray and Robby; they decided to end their live act, citing their mutual agreement that Morrison was ready to retire from performing. By the time the album was released, in April 1971, Morrison had moved to Paris, France, where he died three months later, on July 3, 1971.
In 2003, the album was ranked number 362 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
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