On August 21st, 1967 The Doors began recording their sophomore record, Strange Days, at Sunset Sound Studios in Hollywood. The album was released the following month and included two Top 30 singles, “People Are Strange” and “Love Me Two Times.”

The cover photo for The Doors 2nd studio album, Strange Days was shot in this small unassuming courtyard by photographer Joel Brodsky in 1967.

Jim Morrison refused to be photographed for the cover as he did not want to be the center of attention.

The photographer had come up with a concept for the album cover based on Federico Fellini’s 1954 film La Strada. the band agreed and now he had to make it work.

The cover features a strongman, a dwarf, a juggler, a pair of acrobats, and a trumpet player – but only the acrobats are legitimate performers, the rest are all amateurs with normal day jobs.

Strange Days peaked at No. 3 on the US album chart and, 34 years later, received a platinum certification from the RIAA.