Judge Says 'The Doors 21st Century' Can Rock On

LOS ANGELES -- A judge on Monday declined to grant a request by The Doors' original drummer, John Densmore, to bar two other original members from using the band's name on a current tour.

Densmore sued keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger in February for breach of contract because the two -- along with singer Ian Astbury of The Cult -- were touring using the name "The Doors 21st Century."

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gregory W. Alarcon heard arguments but gave no indication when he would make a final ruling on the request for a temporary restraining order.

Following Jim Morrison's death of a drug overdose in 1971, the three remaining members of the iconic '60s rock group signed off on a deal preventing any of them from using the name "The Doors" to tour or record unless all three were involved, according to Densmore's suit.

Densmore's attorney, S. Jerome Mandel, said the qualifiers "21st Century," were of no use since "they don't appear anywhere" in advertising for the tour of Manzarek and Krieger.

"I couldn't open a business called Coca-Cola of the 21st Century," Mandel argued as Densmore looked on from the front row of the downtown Los Angeles courtroom.

Mandel said Densmore doesn't want to stop the concerts, but said there's no evidence the defendants will suffer damages if the name of the tour is changed -- he said Densmore wants it to read something like Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger, formerly of The Doors.

"These concerts are already sold out," Mandel said. "There is no evidence that if the name is changed, concerts will be canceled," the attorney said.

"We fear that they will go out there and run amok, and every one of these ads will say `The Doors,"' Mandel said. "What is my client supposed to do, get a newspaper clipping service so we can watch these guys?

"The (1971) contract is very clear. It was intended to prevent the very damage that ensued with these concerts," Mandel said.

But John H. Lavely, representing Manzarek and Krieger, said an injunction at this stage would do irreparable harm.

"Concerts will be canceled, reputations will be hurt, jobs will be lost," Lavely said, estimating that a name change would cost his clients $3 million.

The tour has been successful in so-called mid-range venues like New York's Roseland Ballroom, which has a capacity of about 3,000.

Lavely said ads promoting the concerts clearly identify who's performing and who's not.

He also argued that the tour is stimulating radio play for The Doors, which is sparking renewed interest and record sales, which benefits his clients as well as Densmore.

And Lavely added that the 1971 contract stipulates good faith, and that if a majority wanted to do something, a minority would be required to go along.

Lavely cited several legal disputes among music groups -- John Fogerty and Creedence Clearwater Revival, Journey, Styx, Van Halen -- where courts ruled groups could continue on when changes occur.

The tour, which began in March and is scheduled to pick up again next week in Tampa, Fla., has sparked two other lawsuits, most recently when Morrison's octogenarian parents filed their own trademark infringement suit for monetary damages against Manzarek and Krieger.

Also, former Police drummer Stewart Copeland, originally chosen to replace Densmore, sued Manzarek and Krieger in March for breach of fiduciary duty for allegedly not paying him for a few gigs.

(thanks, Beverly)