Fifty years ago in New Orleans, Jim Morrison snuffed out the Lizard King once and for all.

On Dec. 12, 1970, at the fabled Warehouse concert hall on Tchoupitoulas Street, the Doors played what turned out to be the band’s final concert with Morrison. It was, in short, a mess, courtesy of the drunk and disillusioned singer.

When Jim Morrison approached the microphone on December 12th, 1970, there was already a commotion. For years, Morrison enthralled crowds with some of the most powerful and wild antics that rock audiences had ever seen. As the self-appointed Lizard King, Morrison cavorted and careened across the stage, leaving audiences in fits of hysterics.