HE was the poet of his generation.

There was this bullshit belief in the 60s (well, there were A LOT of bullshit beliefs in the 60s) that Bob Zimmerman, I mean Dylan, was the poet of his generation. I guess it was because (1) he stole his professional name from Dylan Thomas, who was an actual poet, and, (2) because people took A LOT of drugs in that decade. Anyway, nuh-uh. Jim Morrison was that generation’s pop poet. The very first words on The Doors’ very first album, established that claim: “You know the day destroys the night / Night divides the day / Try to run, try to hide / Break on through to the other side.”

Contrast that with “The answer, my friends, is blowing’ in the wind / The answer is blowin’ in the wind.”

Morrison’s statement is an emphatic declaration, clear as day. So was the rest of his work. Dylan’s stuff was vague pablum that seemed profound when you were under the influence.

I’m going to refrain from being cruel and not raise the issue of which was the better singer.