The Doors Return To The Charts In America With A ‘New' Album

Forbes

27-04-2025

The Doors' Strange Days 1967: A Work in Progress debuts on Billboard's Vinyl Albums and Top Album ... More Sales charts, earning the band another win. The Doors L-R Jim Morrison, John Densmore, Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger pose for a portrait circa 1968 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Edmund Teske/Michael)
It's been nearly 50 years since The Doors last released a proper studio album. The legendary rock band didn't produce much in the way of original material after frontman Jim Morrison's death in 1971. That was a devastating loss, considering Morrison wasn't just the face of the group, but also its soul, sound, and beating heart. Since then, the group has shared occasional projects and singles, but its presence on the charts has mostly been fueled by live albums, reissues, and special edition packages that cater to a devoted fan base still hungry for anything bearing that familiar name.
The Doors return to a pair of Billboard charts this frame thanks to the arrival of Strange Days 1967: A Work in Progress. The limited edition vinyl debuts at No. 16 on the Vinyl Albums list, while also opening at No. 27 on the more general Top Album Sales roster, which ranks the bestselling full-lengths in the U.S. regardless of genre or format. According to Luminate, Strange Days 1967 sold just over 6,000 copies in its first full tracking span.
With Strange Days 1967, The Doors add another win to an already notable track record on Billboard's sales-focused rosters. This latest project becomes the band's fifteenth title to appear on the Vinyl Albums chart.
Over on the Top Album Sales chart, this release pushes The Doors' career total to 25 placements. That number includes a mix of older classics, reissued packages, and now this unique, fan-focused title.
What exactly is Strange Days 1967: A Work in Progress? The release is made up of rough mixes taken from sessions that would ultimately become the band's Strange Days album, which first dropped in the fall of 1967. That full-length helped solidify The Doors' place in rock history, powered by singles like 'People Are Strange' and 'Love Me Two Times.'
The new collection doesn't offer anything drastically different, but that's kind of the point. It's designed for hardcore fans — those who want to hear what these songs sounded like before they were polished and finalized. Pressed on translucent blue vinyl, the album was released as part of this year's Record Store Day campaign and limited to just 7,500 copies.
The original Strange Days came out in 1967, just months after the band's debut album. While it didn't eclipse that self-titled launch in terms of cultural impact or hit singles, the record remains incredibly important in the development of psychedelic rock – and clearly a fan favorite.