THE DOORS' DRUMMER J. DENSMORE: HIS USE OF THE "LATIN BEAT"
John Densmore and his drums helped create the highly original and evocative sound that characterized The Doors. One of the most distinctive percussive elements he brought to the music the group produced in its early years is the "latin beat”. This term refers to the transposition into the rock genre of certain drums/percussions accents that are characteristic of Latin American music. This instrumental feature, which was particularly pronounced on the tracks recorded for The Doors' first two LPs (which means from August 1966 to August 1967), was fluently integrated into the band's music without altering its basic rock-based approach. An exotic yet unobtrusive rhythmic addition that allowed the Californian band to tinge their songs with unusual cadences and nuances, further distinguishing them from other artists of the time. Let us take a look at the role and effect of this drumming style in each of The Doors compositions in which John Densmore used it. "Break On Th
