Possibly the Illawarra’s biggest fan, Rich Mikic will be paying tribute to the poetic frontman of The Doors (a man who shaped his own musical career) at Thirroul’s Beaches Hotel on Saturday.

Mikic takes on the persona of Morrison in tribute band Unlocking The Doors, and said his ideas inspired him with the edge to “let go and be somebody else on stage”.

The music man had never heard of the 1960’s group until he watched a biographical film starring Val Kilmer in the early ‘90s. He has since watched it more than 500 times.

“[My parents] were a bit worried about all the books I was reading and the music I was listening to ... not your average 13-year-old listens to that stuff,” Mikic laughed.

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He’s also collected numerous vinyls recordings, official and unofficial biographies of Morrison and his band members, memorabilia, poetry books, and has made many visits to overseas landmarks once frequented by Morrison.

“It’s amazing the whole power one person can have, over a whole world of followers,” Mikic said. 

“He was true to what he truly believed deep down inside, and he didn’t care about money and fame and he had a message he wanted to put across.”

Morrison co-founded The Doors with Ray Manzarek in 1965, finding success with hits like Light My Fire and Riders on the Storm. The singer developed an alcohol dependency and died unexpectedly of what is rumoured to be a drug overdose in 1971 in Paris – he was 27.

“Through all the social media [I have found] there are so many other nutcases around the world who have dedicated their life to [The Doors],” Mikic laughed.

Unlocking The Doors perform from 9pm at Beaches Hotel, Thirroul, Saturday December 8.

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