from  Classic Rock (cover:  Led Zeppelin)

   June 2003 - Page 13

Knock Knock!

Judge asked:  when is a Door not a Door?

The continuing saga of the Doors' re-formation has taken another twist, with the parents and in-laws of late vocalist Jim Morrison have now joined the list of those suing keyboard player Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robbie Krieger.

George and Clara Morrison are claiming that current Doors activity is "maliciously misappropriating" the band's good name, and that the poetry and image of their son Jim is being used without their permission.  Joining them is Pearl Courson, the mother of Jim's late common law wife Pamela, owner of her husband's 25% stake.  Like the Morrisons, Courson has accused the current line-up of "launching a national and international tour in order to wrongfully enrich themselves", claiming that the group's name, likeness, logo, and music are being used without consent.

These developments are a blow to Manzarek and Krieger, who have brought singer Ian Astbury of The Cult into the band and are using the revised name of The Doors 21st Century.  An album has already been recorded, and there are plans for an 18-month world tour.  The pair are already in litigation with founding drummer John Densmore and his replacement, former Police drummer Stewart Copeland.

The lawsuit aims to prevent the quartet from referring to themselves as The Doors, "or variations of The Doors where The Doors is emphasised and the words '21st Century' are underplayed or subordinated if used at all as 'The Doors, 21st Century', 'The Doors 21st Century', 'The Doors In The 21st Century', 'The Doors Of The 21st Century' and/or 'The 21st Century Doors'".  Is that clear?

Accompanying the story is a photo of Jim Morrison.

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