Members of the Doors Atop Their Billboard on Sunset Strip, 1967

Members of the Doors sit atop their billboard on Sunset Strip as workers finish installation in this 1967 photo.

In February 1967, Jac Holzman, founder of Elektra Records, had a billboard erected at 8161 Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles to promote The Doors’ debut album. This was the first time a rock album was promoted with a billboard sign.

The Doors easily could have walked to this photo shoot from their offices and motel hangouts on Santa Monica Boulevard. The group, formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, based its operations on Santa Monica at La Cienega Boulevard. It probably didn’t hurt that all the modern conveniences were nearby, including a couple of affordable motels with other rock groups as guests, along with bars, restaurants and strip clubs.