The Doors Manager Danny Sugerman Dies

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Danny Sugerman (search), who went from an adolescent Doors groupie to manager of the rock group, has died of lung cancer at age 50.

Sugerman, who also co-wrote the acclaimed 1980 biography of lead singer Jim Morrison, "No One Here Gets Out Alive," died Wednesday at his home, according to a statement posted on the band's Web site.

A confidante of Morrison and the other musicians, Sugerman promoted their music years after the band's fame peaked. He consulted on Oliver Stone's 1991 film "The Doors" and put out two compilations of song lyrics, Morrison poetry and articles about the band. (Morrison was found dead in the bathtub of his Paris apartment on July 3, 1971, at age 27. French police said he died of a heart attack, though his regular use of drugs and alcohol was likely a factor.)

A native of the Los Angeles area, Sugerman was hooked on the Doors (search) after seeing a concert at age 13. He was hired by Morrison a year later to put together a band scrapbook, and fell into the excesses of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle.

He recounted his struggles with heroin addiction in the 1991 autobiography "Wonderland Avenue: Tales of Glamour and Excess." Sugerman also wrote a book about Guns N' Roses titled "Appetite for Destruction."

The Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek said in the statement that he had worked with Sugerman since 1973 to "keep the name and the poetry of Jim Morrison alive. ... Danny is standing side-by-side with his great friend, Jim Morrison, and the two of them will now be laughing together into eternity."

Sugerman is survived by his wife, Fawn Hall Sugerman, and a brother and sister.