On The Ed Sullivan Show on September 17, 1967, Jim Morrison sang the word “higher” at the exact time. (Photo courtesy of SOFA Entertainment, used with permission.)

Throughout its decades of prominence, “The Ed Sullivan Show” served as a platform for many notable artists. “The Doors” performed on the program in 1967, and things did not go as Ed had hoped.

“The Doors” performed their classic song “Light My Fire.” Ed requested that the lyrics be changed for TV and the CBS censors. While playing their number one song, the band refused to alter the word “higher.”

According to the band’s drummer, Ed Sullivan was enraged, saying, “You will never do this show again!” “Hey, that’s alright,” Jim Morrison remarked to him. We were recently on The Ed Sullivan Show.

“The Doors” made television history by convincing the censors and Ed Sullivan that they would change their songs. Rather than singing the intended phrase, “Girl, there’s nothing I need,” Morrison sang the real words, “Girl, we couldn’t climb much higher.”

On The Ed Sullivan Show on September 17, 1967, The Doors performed “Light My Fire” (Photo: SOFA Entertainment; used with permission).

Morrison sings with his eyes closed and with pure intensity. Behind him, a band performs against a red and yellow backdrop. In true rockstar fashion, Jim is accompanied by a drummer, a guitarist, and an organist.

The Doors were founded in 1965 and produced six studio albums over the course of five years. They had sold over four million albums and over eight million singles by 1972. Their impact on culture and rock music may still be felt today.

Watch The Doors’ controversial performance on The Ed Sullivan Show.