The Swarm

May 30, 2008

Grateful Dead Converse...The Doors shoes are next...

David Prince

Converse:

Converse continues its celebration of 100 years with the debut of its Fall 2008 Footwear Collection that celebrates the brand’s iconic presence throughout the last ten decades and undeniable influence on pop culture. Converse pays homage to The Grateful Dead and Kurt Cobain as musicians who have transformed culture and changed the world featuring shoes designed to honor these pioneers of music who have disrupted the status quo.

The Doors:

Yeah, I’m sure there will be some mixed opinions on this. They are Converse Jack Purcells, and we’re doing them during Converse’s 100th Anniversary with their slogan, “First In Sports, First In Rock ‘N Roll.”

There are four artists doing them:

The Beatles
Kurt Cobain
The Grateful Dead
The Doors

I know, I know, we’re ALL sellouts.

But The Doors dug this, they were involved in the design and creation, and we hope you’ll agree they’re very, VERY cool.

Or not.

The Doors have NEVER been artists to shy away from controversy.

We thought long and hard about this, and I gotta say, Converse Jack Purcells and rock go hand-in-hand, and have ever since the mid-sixties.
__________________
Thanks – Jeff
Jeff Jampol
The Doors Music Co.
Los Angeles, CA

UPDATE: From Converse:

We do not have any plans for Beatles shoes.

EARLIER:

Exclusive: Kurt Cobain Converse custom Chucks coming….

Icons Redux: Converse taps Ian Curtis and Sid Vicious for ‘Connectivity’ campaign

Converse looking to ‘Connect’ with a few living, breathing artists too


Previous comments include (further comments disabled)

#1 Alex says:

I bet the Grateful Dead and Doors folks (such as myself) probably won't shit a brick about this like the Nirvana fans did. But I'm sure there will be some self-appointed Jerry Garcia and Jim Morrison spokesmen out there who'll say,''Hey man, Jim and Jerry aren't here to say THEY'RE cool with it, and blah, blah, blah.''

#2 Tim Pacheco says:

Can't wait to get my pair of Doors shoes!

#3 WeloveTheDoors says:

I dont care what you say i love the doors and ill probably buy a pair of shoes !Ray and Robby have commercialized the doors but whats the problem ?
i dont see a problem in that .!they make the doors more famous and a lot of people who are interested get to know them better .sO ?

#4 Wavy Gravy says:

Can you smoke these shoes?

#5 Bert says:

On an old Rolling Stone rock documentary, they try to give Jerry Garcia credit for not selling out. He laughs and says, "I've been trying to sell out for years, it's just that nobody is buying!" I like the sneaks & think Jerry would be just fine with it.

#6 preachy says:

Remember the ties???

And the wine?

And the golf balls?

#7 son of preachy says:

and the ice cream?

#8 Jeannette Leo says:

Can't wait to wear those Doors Converse Jack Purcells!!! I'll be watching for them! Every time I hear "Viva Viagra" I thank God they're not selling their music to advertise cars, medication or food! These sneakers will be just one more item of Doors clothing I can wear and be proud of it. In my opinion, this ain't selling out.

#9 fuck you says:

you're a sellout whore.

#10 DrunkatBarney's says:

"Ray and Robbie have commercialized the doors"?! Really?!?! I would disagree. How many times do you see a commercial for a hemoroid cream and hear a Rolling Stones or Beatles song behind it? It's pretty rare that you hear a Doors song in a movie and even more rare for a commercial. Would Jim approve? Maybe not but I'll be be buying them

#11 Primo says:

I have edited my converse shoes and i painted Jim Morrison and Doors logo and a verse of a song and they look great! ^^

#12 deadhead says:

I'd buy the stealie ones, what the big deal?

#13 Jerry says:

Jim Morrison was a fucking drunk clown anyway. As a dead head, I've always been offended when people refer to him as a poet. You want a real amerian poet? check Hunter/Garcia. What poetry did that lush morrison every write? "The snake he's long... Seven miles" and a bunch of shit that any 16 year old kid who read oedipus rex could think up after smoking a joint. Please, doors are the most over rated rock band in american history.

#14 Philip says:

this is the worst, maybe we can get some toilet paper with our favorite logos stamped on it, or maybe a line of peanut butter, will this ever end. I'll just stick to the music, it's pure and will never change.

Phil in SC

#15 Justin says:

First of, i am a huge Grateful Dead fan and have been for years. But, "Jerry" on comment number 13, you are an idiot. Grateful Dead is my favorite band out there and yes Robert Hunter and Jerry do have great poetry in their music, but to discredit what Jim Morrison has done is completely ignorant. You obviously havn't read his poetry and know nothing about it. He is very talented poet in his own way that people like you will probably never understand. I have every poetry book he has ever published. Try reading some Rimbaud if you even know who that is. Poetry can be many different things to the open minded which obviously you are not. Don't talk about things you don't understand, stick to what you know.

#16 Llyr Evans says:

They are sow gay BUT! The second one was Cool the firey one yes thanks for letting me, even kurt is dead sya!

#17 metty says:

where can i buy the doors shoes?

#18 jair samir perez baron says:

que otros estilo hay en shoes

#19 Coleman says:

I just ordered the middle shoe today..they look hot online i can't wait to get them

#20 Lucy says:

Why is "The Beatles" crossed out?

#21 Rick says:

Saw the Dead 72 times back in the day. Hey "Jerry" #13, Morrison had an IQ well beyond that of most people. Yes, he was definitely a drunk too. Some of his stuff WAS dumb but some of it was absolutely brilliant. Sort of like your post, on and off at the same time.
The Doors were schooled musicians in classical and jazz modes and were absolutely phenomenal together (if you can't figure that out just by listening to Light My Fire you are hopeless)- they were fronted by a wild drunk. Don't for a minute underestimate their musicianship. They are actually one of the most UNDERrated bands in American rock history. Its just that Morrison always stole all the attention- for better and for worse. The sneakers? Why not? This is America- by them or not. Most of you people probably don't mind the vulgar garbage that's on television- watch it or not, right?

#22 Preston says:

Jerry #13 i have never been a huge dead fan, but i respect what they did and how they did it. They had tons of fans and im sure jerry/hunter had some great ideas and were poets. To say Morrison wasn't a poet is just a false statement. henry thoreau said the ultimate job of a poet is to inspire. I'd say jim did that

#23 Ali says:

The Doors?? when??? omg!!! i cant wait to buy these!!!

#24 Anna says:

I think that the ignorant fool that talked shit about jim needs a bitch slap to the face. He had his addictions but he was a poet, a very deep, dark, tragic individual who poured his heart, soul, and feelings out through his music. It's sometimes too deep for people to understand. I like seeing Jim's face anywhere! Long live the doors! I want to keep seeing them, hearing them, Loving their beautiful, different, special music forever.


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