L. A. WOMAN confidential  . . .  by Ida
Doors news, appearances and tidbits from a "lucky little lady in the city of lights"

www.idafan.com     last news update:   May 7   8:30 p.m.
 

The Doors    Ray, Jim, Robby & John

   
Riders On The Storm      Robby & Ray  
with Brett Scallions, Phil Chen, and Ty Dennis 
 
latest  Doors  news:

 May 7, 2008      Ray & McClure tonight <> Hard Rock Vault on-line <> L.A. rock history tour
Ray Manzarek and Michael McClure are
performing tonight at Yoshi's in San Francisco, along with other members of Big Mix:  saxophonist George Brooks, bassist Rob Wasserman, and drummer Jay Lane.  Tonight's program is described as an evening of sophisticated anti-politics, elegant improvisation, American haiku and jazz-drenched dharma boogie!  Sadly, this notice is too late for anyone in the bay area who may have wanted to attend.

Several years ago I wrote about a tour I took of the Hard Rock Vault in Orlando, Florida and the amazing Doors memorabilia there.  There is now a website that takes you for a tour inside.  Read all about it at:  http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/hard-rock-international-delivers-unprecedented,379181.shtml

Amoeba Records in Los Angeles presents the 'Where The Action Was' rock history tour on Saturday, June 28th.  There was one done in February, and pix can be seen at:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardschave/sets/72157603849459322/   Hint:  the door of the Alta Cienega Motel's room 32, a/k/a the 'Jim Morrison Room' is pictured in the slide show, so it follows that it is part of the tour.  For more info, go to:  http://www.esotouric.com/rock

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 May 5, 2008     Corky & Pamela <> Robby and School of Rock
I meant to mention that 'Corky' Courson's death
occurred one day before the anniversary of the 1974 death of his daughter, Pamela Susan.  He is survived by his wife, another daughter and two grandchildren.

Robby Krieger was at The Mint in Los Angeles on Saturday night for the Hollywood School of Rock show.  Apparently each show is dedicated to a different band, and this show was about The Doors.  I wish I had known about it!  Robby even got onstage and played a few songs with them.  Robby's friend and frequent collaborator Arthur Barrow is involved in this program.  To see a YouTube video of Robby and the young musicians jamming on Roadhouse Blues, go to:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRNl8a8nVhs   It's funny watching the young vocalist singing that she woke up this morning and got herself a beer!  Another fun video from that show is Light My Fire at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A855NhxqGOQ&feature=related  (thanks, Howard)

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 May 4, 2008     R.I.P. Corky Courson
Columbus 'Corky' Courson,
the father of Pamela Courson, passed away at home in the Santa Barbara area on April 24th.  He was a decorated Navy veteran who served in WWII.  A memorial service to celebrate his life was held on Friday.  Condolences to the Courson family.  To read the obituary notice from the Santa Barbara News-Press, go to: http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article/article.jsp?ID=565285445773164560&Archive=false&Subsection=Obituaries&Section=LOCAL   (thanks, Gene)

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 April 29, 2008     Riders return to Europe
Riders On The Storm will storm Europe
again during the first half of July, according to new tour dates posted on their website.  A total of nine dates are listed, but 3 of those are "TBA" so far.  The shows that are listed begin with Malta on July 4th and end with Porto, Portugal on July 18th.   The dates, venues and cities announced are in the calendar below.

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 April 24, 2008     review of Ray's new CD <> Japanese EP discography
A local newspaper's column today on
new instrumental releases included a very positive review of the new CD release from Ray and slide guitarist Roy Rogers:  Ray Manzarek & Roy Rogers "Ballads Before the Rain" (Friday Music) – Over the past few years, Huntington Beach-based classic rock label Friday Music has issued a wealth of winning releases and reissues from the likes of Deep Purple, Paul Rodgers, Tommy Bolin, Sweet and Richie Furay.  Now music fans can thank the Surf City label for the April 8 release of one of the most stunning soon-to-be-classic sets of 2008. "Ballads Before the Rain" may boost a new instrumental take on a few classics (notably the Doors' "The Crystal Ship" and "Riders On The Storm"), but Manzarek's distinctive and influential keyboard playing is a perfect fit with Rogers' astonishing guitar work.  The blend of rock, jazz, classical and blues styles showcased here will lead to a new appreciation of Manzarek (who co-founded the Doors with Jim Morrison in 1965), and – hopefully – greater recognition of slide guitar virtuoso Rogers.  Information:  www.fridaymusic.com(thanks, George)

The official Doors Japanese EP discography has been updated on First Flash Of Eden, The Doors Italian Fan Club website.  It is listed in both Italian and English versions.  Check it out at:   www.doorscollectors.com    (thanks, Simone)

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 April 21, 2008     'Classic Albums' review <> Paul Ferrara film
'Classic Albums - The Doors DVD'
gets released tomorrow, April 22nd.  I came across a great review of this new release on a website called DVDTalk.  Read it at:  http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/33013/classic-albums-the-doors/

There is a new film called 'Those Were The Days' on Paul Ferrara's website (www.paulferrara.net) and his MySpace page (MySpace.com/pferrara).  With Paul singing Mr. Tambourine Man, there is footage from the first Renaissance Pleasure Faire and elsewhere with Jim, Robby and Lynn, John, Babe Hill, and Paul, plus clips of Paul appearing in a UCLA student film.

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  read  more   Prior  News  &  Reviews   here 

 Robby news only       Ray news only      John news only
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 calendar  of  upcoming  Doors  events

ongoing through September 2008  October 7, 2007  extended to Spring 2008  ~~  major exhibit honoring The Doors at Cleveland's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum.  For more info, go to:   http://www.rockhall.com/exhibitnew/the-doors/

 performance  Wednesday, May 7, 2008  ~~ Ray Manzarek and Michael McClure perform at Yoshi's in San Francisco

 tour date  Wednesday, May 7, 2008  ~~ John Densmore's Tribaljazz performs at Catalina's Bar and Grill in Hollywood, California

 tour date  Thursday, May 8, 2008  ~~ John Densmore's Tribaljazz performs at Catalina's Bar and Grill in Hollywood, California

 tour date  Friday, May 9, 2008  ~~ John Densmore's Tribaljazz performs at Catalina's Bar and Grill in Hollywood, California

 tour date  Saturday, May 10, 2008  ~~ John Densmore's Tribaljazz performs at Catalina's Bar and Grill in Hollywood, California

 tour date  Sunday, May 25, 2008  ~~ John Densmore's Tribaljazz performs at the UCLA Jazz Fest in Los Angeles, California

 tour date  Thursday, June 5, 2008  ~~ John Densmore's Tribaljazz performs at Scullers in Boston, Massachusetts

 tour date  Friday, June 6, 2008  ~~ John Densmore's Tribaljazz performs at Keswick Theater in Glenside, PA (Philadelphia)

Thursday, June 19, 2008  ~~   if John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek and Jim Morrison are voted into the 2008 Songwriters Hall of Fame, the annual induction and awards ceremony will be held in New York City on this date.  read full story

 tour date   Friday, July 4, 2008  ~~ Riders On The Storm perform at the Blues & Wine Festival in Malta, Malta

 tour date   Sunday, July 6, 2008  ~~ Riders On The Storm perform at Bilboa Live at Bilboa, Spain

 tour date   Tuesday, July 8, 2008  ~~ Riders On The Storm perform at The Forum in London, England.  More info at:  http://www.barflyclub.com/theforum/whatson/event/18320.aspx

 tour date   Thursday, July 10, 2008  ~~ Riders On The Storm perform at Rivierenhol in Antwerp, Belgium.  More info at:  http://www.openluchttheater.be/agenda/event/17

 tour date   Saturday, July 12, 2008  ~~ Riders On The Storm perform at the Festival Jimena in Cadiz, Spain

 tour date   Sunday, July 13, 2008  ~~ Riders On The Storm show a 'To Be Advised' for this date

 tour date   Tuesday, July 15, 2008  ~~ Riders On The Storm show a 'To Be Advised' for this date

 tour date   Wednesday, July 16, 2008  ~~ Riders On The Storm show a 'To Be Advised' for this date

 tour date   Friday, July 18, 2008  ~~ Riders On The Storm perform at the Marés Vivas Festival 2008 in Porto, Portugal.

September 2008  ~~  The Doors exhibit at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio closes http://www.rockhall.com/exhibitnew/the-doors/

 more  upcoming  Doors  events  here

 have you  missed out  on Doors appearances?     see past Doors events  listed here 

 order Paul Ferrara's  "Flash Of Eden"  here

 order Doug Lubahn's  "My Days With The Doors and Other Stories"  here

 The Doors "stuff for sale"

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Benvenuto Caffé, the Italian restaurant at 8512 Santa Monica Boulevard in the building that was formerly the site of The Doors office & rehearsal workshop    see more photos
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 July 2007 interview with Webmistress  (page 6)

 2007 major exhibit honoring The Doors at Cleveland's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum

 Jim Morrison 2003 exhibit at Cleveland's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum

  Diary of a Doors Drama:  the trial 

 stranded in Houston with Robby ... or, "My Most Favorite Flight Delay Adventure, EVER!!"

  * profile of Ty Dennis, drummer *
 

 "VAGUE MEMORIES"   remembrances of my 5 Doors concerts

 VH-1 Storytellers was first broadcast on November 22, 2000.   Read the memories of this lucky audience member here

 Index to Magazine Articles         read about "My Paradise Lost"  here

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thanks to Glyn, Beverly, and Nik for your invaluable help in getting me here!