After nearly four decades, a treasured sculpture of Jim Morrison—the legendary frontman of The Doors—has finally been recovered. The bust, which went missing from his gravesite in Paris back in 1988, was discovered by French authorities during a recent investigation.

The Paris Regional Judicial Police Directorate shared the news on Instagram Friday:
“After 37 years of absence, the bust of Jim Morrison, stolen in 1988 from the Père Lachaise cemetery, has been found.”

This iconic piece, beloved by fans worldwide, was uncovered thanks to a search ordered by a Paris court judge and carried out by the Financial and Anti-Corruption Brigade. The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the find, calling it a “chance discovery” that brings a piece of rock history back to the city.

Jeff Jampol, manager of the Jim Morrison Estate, expressed his relief and excitement in a statement to CNN:
“We’re happy to hear the statue has been found. It’s an important piece of history, and Jim’s family always wanted it to remain at his grave. Now, we’ll have to see what condition it’s in.”

The Story Behind the Bust and Morrison’s Grave

Jim Morrison, famed for his deep voice, poetic lyrics, and wild stage presence, died at the age of 27 in 1971. He’s buried in the Père Lachaise cemetery, one of Paris’s most visited sites and a magnet for music lovers around the world.

The bust on his grave was created by Croatian sculptor Mladen Mikulin and placed there on the 10th anniversary of Morrison’s death. But it vanished mysteriously in 1988, leaving a void for fans who pilgrimage to the site each year.

Morrison’s parents replaced his damaged headstone in 1990, inscribing it with the Greek phrase “True to His Spirit.” Despite the bust’s disappearance, his grave has remained a powerful symbol, drawing thousands annually—especially on July 3, the anniversary of his death.

A Legacy That Lives On

Over the years, Morrison’s grave has seen both devotion and chaos. In 1991, unruly fans forced police to use tear gas to disperse crowds. By the 30th anniversary, authorities had banned alcohol and music at the site, but thousands still gathered to pay their respects with wreaths and photos.

Former Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek once said,
“Every day, somewhere in the world, a Doors song is played. The energy of Jim Morrison is still with us, in the ether.”

Known as “The Lizard King,” Morrison was infamous for his heavy drinking and unpredictable onstage antics. He left the band in 1971 to pursue poetry, moving to Paris with his girlfriend, Pamela Courson.

Tragically, Morrison died that same year in their Paris apartment. Courson reported finding him dead in the bathtub. While the official cause of death was heart failure, no autopsy was performed, fueling decades of speculation and conspiracy theories.

What’s Next?

With the bust now recovered, fans and the Morrison Estate hope to restore it to its rightful place, preserving the memory of a rock icon whose influence echoes on decades after his death.

Source: CNN – Jim Morrison’s stolen grave bust found after 37 years

The post Jim Morrison’s Missing Grave Bust Found After 37 Years appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

WOODBURY, Minn. — Jill Sobule, the fiercely independent singer-songwriter best known for her 1995 hit I Kissed a Girl, has died in a house fire in Minnesota. She was 66.

Her death was confirmed by publicist David Elkin on Thursday, though the cause of the fire in Woodbury remains under investigation.

Sobule rose to fame with a fearless voice, sharp wit, and unflinching honesty in her songwriting. Her breakout song, I Kissed a Girl, tackled themes of identity and sexuality at a time when few dared to. Though banned on several southern radio stations, it reached the Billboard Top 20 and became a cultural landmark.

“Jill Sobule was a force of nature and a human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture,” said her manager, John Porter. “I lost a client and a friend today. I hope her music, memory, and legacy continue to live on and inspire others.”

Over more than 30 years, Sobule released 12 albums that fearlessly explored complex and deeply human topics—everything from the death penalty and eating disorders to reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ experiences.

Her first album, Things Here Are Different, debuted in 1990. Five years later, she struck a mainstream chord with two iconic tracks: Supermodel, featured in the film Clueless, and I Kissed a Girl. But Sobule never chased commercial trends—she built her career on authenticity.

In 2008, after setbacks with major and indie labels, Sobule turned directly to her fans, crowdfunding her next album well before platforms like Kickstarter became mainstream.

“The old kind of paradigm, where you waited for others to give you money and tell you what to do—it’s over,” she said at the time. “This is so great. I want to do everything like this.”

Born in Denver on Jan. 16, 1959, Sobule described herself as a shy child who found her voice through music. That voice would go on to share stages with legends like Neil Young, Billy Bragg, and Cyndi Lauper.

She brought that same voice to theater, too. In 2022, she premiered an autobiographical off-Broadway musical in New York, blending songs and stories from her own life. The following year, she told the Associated Press: “In a good way, I feel like I’m still a rookie. There’s so much more to do and I haven’t done my best yet.”

Fans cherished her live shows, often stripped-down and spontaneous. Sobule rarely used a set list, preferring to “wing it,” letting each performance breathe on its own.

She even made a cameo as herself on The Simpsons in 2019 and had the honor of inducting Neil Diamond into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Sobule was scheduled to perform in Denver on Friday night. Instead, an informal tribute will take place at the venue, hosted by radio personality Ron Bostwick, where fans are invited to share songs and stories in her honor. A formal memorial is planned for later this summer.

“No one made me laugh more,” said her booking agent Craig Grossman. “Her spirit and energy will be deeply missed within the music community and beyond.”

She is survived by her brother James Sobule, sister-in-law Mary Ellen, and extended family.

Jill Sobule’s fearless artistry and unwavering spirit blazed a trail for countless others. Her voice—raw, funny, defiant, and tender—remains unforgettable.

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Source: AP News – Jill Sobule, the singer-songwriter known for ‘I Kissed a Girl,’ has died in a fire

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