John news only for 2005
December 11, 2005 John statement on his forum
John Densmore posted a statement on his website forum yesterday regarding his position about the VH1 Decades Rock Live "A Tribute To The Doors" filmed in Atlantic City in August. John's rationale is heavy on legalities and totally disregards the pleas of the fans. He includes a statement that the Estates and he have agreed to sync rights for a future Riders On The Storm performance. (thanks, Mary-Beth) read statement
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December 7, 2005 Tribaljazz album release
John Densmore's long-delayed Tribaljazz album is now slated for a spring release from Hidden Beach, according to an on-line story.
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November 30, 2005 Densmore's birthday gift to the fans
If you are John Densmore of The Doors, how do you celebrate your 61st birthday? Apparently, by finding even more ways to screw over the fans. I have learned that John has denied the sync licenses for the two new DVDs that have been awaiting release. That's right, folks. If you have been patiently waiting for the DVD releases of The Doors of the 21st Century shows in Japan in August 2003 and Buenos Aires, Argentina in October 2004 ... well, John Densmore (and undoubtedly, his cohort Jeff Jampol) have flipped you the bird once again. To make this even more absurd: those DVDs already had to be re-edited to remove all references to Jim Morrison and The Doors of the 21st Century. After that was completed, then the sync licenses for both DVDs are denied. Who's playing the games here? Who continues to become an even bigger jerk than before? Who continues to do whatever can be done to antagonize and disappoint the faithful fans who love the music and want to see and hear it played, regardless of who is playing drums? Who is doing everything possible to ensure that fans of the band are left with yet another bitter aftertaste about the power trip that one drummer and his manager-buddy are riding on? Don't forget to sign that petition. When I first linked to the petition that was started by another fan, I encouraged signers to be courteous. But now: let them have it between the eyes. Or lower. You know what song keeps running through my head now? ... the song that Lennon wrote about McCartney: "How Do You Sleep At Night" link to petition
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November 19, 2005 John's book re-titled
John Densmore's book 'Riders On The Storm' was recently been released in a French version, as reported here on October 16th. Curiously, the book title on Fnac.com – Livres – 'The Doors, le vaisseau de cristal' literally translated to be The Crystal Ship, leading to speculation that John changed the name of his book for the French version because of that terrific touring band with the same name. Anyway, that website now indicates that the book name is 'Les cavaliers de l'orage' (exact translation of Riders On The Storm). Incidentally, the French book has a different cover than the domestic release did. (thanks, Pierre-Yves)
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November 12, 2005 Tribaljazz story
John Densmore and Tribaljazz are featured in a current on-line story. There is still no indication of when their CD will ever be released. read it
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October 31, 2005 John on 'Off The Record' next month
John Densmore's conversation with Joe Benson on the nationally syndicated radio program 'Off The Record' will air on November 20th. For a partial listing of stations that carry this syndicated program, go to: http://unclejoe.com/xotr.html
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October 29, 2005 John's POV discussed on Tom Leykis show
John Densmore's point of view regarding his refusal to allow Doors music to be used for commercials was the subject of a discussion on the syndicated Tom Leykis radio talk show earlier this week. Tom Leykis quoted from John's recent letter to the L.A. Times. Tom's point of view is that the music business itself is inherently commercial, bands are commercial entities, it is therefore hypocritical to sign a contract to sell music, the band's music has already been exploited, and it's ridiculous to consider 'Break On Through' sacrosanct. There were both pro & con callers to debate the issue. One of the callers made the point about the multiple box sets that have been issued as an example of their commercialism! To listen to that show, go here
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October 28, 2005 John to do acting performances this weekend
John Densmore joins experimental acting troupe the Drunken Monkeys of Brooklyn Bay in a small theater performance this weekend in Portland, Oregon. more info
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October 19, 2005 John played Katrina benefit
John Densmore participated in a benefit for Katrina victims in Topanga recently. John appeared with drummer Hani Naser and recited a poem. read story
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October 16, 2005 John's book in French & renamed?
John Densmore's book 'Riders On The Storm' (say, isn't there a terrific touring band by that same name?) has recently been released in a French version. Curiously, the book title on Fnac.com – Livres – The Doors, le vaisseau de cristal - John Densmore is literally translated to be The Crystal Ship. Has John changed the name of his book for the French version? Geez, there sure are a lot of name changes going on!! go here (thanks, Pierre-Yves)
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October 5, 2005 today's L.A. Times story
"Ex-Door Lighting Their Ire" is the title of a lengthy story by Geoff Boucher in today's L.A. Times, which has been all over the internet and message boards today. (thanks George, Michael, Fred, Felicia, Dan, kdw, Mary-Beth, and John) read it
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September 24, 2005 John's Top 7 Bass Players list
John Densmore was asked to list his Top 7 Bass Players by Chaser Magazine. This doesn't appear to be from a current issue, but no matter, I still appreciate the submission by a fellow fan. (thanks,George) read it
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September 20, 2005 John's appearance yesterday
John Densmore and Jackson Browne were onstage together yesterday, along with other musicians at the Sounds of The Sacred, Songs of The Earth Festival in Topanga Canyon to perform with Spanish flamenco guitarist Pedro Ricardo Mino. John appeared again later as the headliner with Tribaljazz. read it
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September 8, 2005 John and Keith Secola
John Densmore appears on native American Keith Secola's CD 'Native Americana' scheduled for release tomorrow, according to an interview that appeared today in the Phoenix New Times. In the story, Keith talks about John's participation on two songs on his record. John is scheduled to appear with Keith Secola in a performance in the artist's home state of Minnesota on September 23rd. More info is in the calendar above. read it
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August 30, 2005 John & Tribaljazz concert
John Densmore and Tribaljazz will perform as part of the 'Sounds of the Sacred, Songs of the Earth' Festival Sunset Concert on Sunday, September 18 at Topanga Community House and Sacred Chumash Grounds, 1440 No. Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Topanga, California. The event runs from noon to 10:00 p.m. Tribaljazz is scheduled among the evening performers. read press release
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August 29, 2005 John Densmore guest appearance <> John's letter to the editor
John Densmore will appear as a special guest of Keith Secola on Friday, September 23rd at Fortune Bay Resort Casino in Tower (Lake Vermilion), Minnesota according to the forum's calendar section of www.johndensmore.com
John Densmore wrote a letter to the editor which appeared in yesterday's L.A. Times Calendar section, commenting on a story by rock critic Robert Hilburn which ran the previous Sunday. Headlined "He Should Know," the letter read: I very much enjoyed Robert Hilburn's courageous article ["Back, With New Wrinkles," Aug. 21] on challenging old rockers to not become tribute bands to themselves (or their wallets)! I recently ended the trial portion of an ongoing 2 1/2-year legal battle on this very subject. The only thing Mr. Hilburn failed to mention in his list of how expensive ticket prices are this summer was that Tom Petty's are half because he chooses to give a break to his fans and has no corporate sponsorship. JOHN DENSMORE, Hollywood John Densmore was the drummer and a founding member of the Doors. (thanks, George)
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August 5, 2005 John's 'forum' is on-line
John Densmore's official website at www.johndensmore.com has added a forum for posting. There are 10 discussion topics provided, so far. To register and begin participating, go to: http://forum.johndensmore.com/
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July 22, 2005 John won permanent injunction against The Doors of the 21st Century
John Densmore won a permanent injunction today that is intended to prevent Robby and Ray from touring as The Doors of the 21st Century, according to on-line news stories hitting cyberspace tonight. According to the Superior Court website, the decision on this matter was scheduled to occur next month on August 31st, so this is a surprise (to me). This news comes as Robby, Ray, Ian and the band are touring Canada headlining the Strange Days Festival. Is this the end, or will there be appeals? I don't know. Will The Doors of the 21st Century be allowed to fulfill the shows that are already contracted and on-sale? I don't know for certain, but I'd guess that probably, yes. I sure hope so. It appears that the band can continue to tour under a different moniker. I sure hope so. Stay tuned to see how this shakes out. read the injunction news story
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July 17, 2005 Joe Shakarchi CD info
John Densmore played on Joe Shakarchi's CD Sunrise In The West, as reported here a few days ago. To learn more about this artist and the CD, to listen to MP3s from it or to purchase a copy, go to Joe's website at: www.joeshakarchi.com
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July 15, 2005 John's official website <> John & Tribaljazz tonight
John Densmore's official website at www.johndensmore.com is back live and on-line again after a false start last week. With the support and input from both John and The Doors management, we should be able to count on this being up-to-date on John's doings on a regular basis.
John Densmore and Tribaljazz give a free performance this evening at the LACMA Times Mirror Court, 5905 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. For information, call (323) 857-6115. Sorry for the late notice, but I just spotted this in the LA Weekly newspaper.
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July 12, 2005 John collaboration with Joe Shakarchi
John Densmore played on Joe Shakarchi's CD Sunrise In The West, according to this news item about that artist's performance this evening in San Francisco: If Joe Shakarchi's CD Sunrise in the West sounds a bit like '50s-style beatnik poetry brushed with Jim Morrison, it's not surprising -- consider its pedigree. San Francisco poet Shakarchi teamed with former Doors drummer John Densmore, along with didgeridoo player and KPFA host Stephen Kent and Nepalese bamboo flutist Manose, to record the spoken-word disc on the Western Sunrise label, which weaves unplugged world-sound textures through Shakarchi's neo-Zen scene-setting. The milieu is typified by "Looking Like a Young Mother Teresa," who appears with A shawl thrown over her head/Bombay shirt and sash/walking down a Katmandu street/from Iowa by way of Arizona/on her way back to Calcutta. Shakarchi, Kent, and Manose waft into Maxwell's in downtown Oakland this evening (6-9 p.m., 341 13th St.) for a little Culture Shock Live. Admission is free for open-mic participants.
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July 8, 2005 www.johndensmore.com postponed a few days <> John in benefit in 2006
Oops ... now you see it, now you don't. If you were fast-fingered late last night or earlier this morning, you got to see the new official site, www.johndensmore.com while it was on-line. The site is off-line for just a quick revision or two, and then it'll be back on-line for good.
John Densmore will perform in a benefit concert next year in Albuquerque, New Mexico alongside his old friend, John Coinman. This news comes from an on-line story from Tucson regarding a local John Coinman appearance there tomorrow night. read it
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July 7, 2005 www.johndensmore.com goes live
Fan site www.johndensmore.com is back on-line after a brief absence, but with a big difference:. it is no longer just a 'fan site' ... it is now the official website of John Densmore. Fans can count on this site being current and informative with news about John's many projects. Be sure to add it to your favorites and check it out often.
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June 2, 2005 John donating to benefit silent auction
John Densmore has donated a pair of signed drumsticks to a silent auction that is part of the "Guitarists Who Give A Damn" Benefit tonight at The Derby (http://www.the-derby.com/) nightclub in Los Angeles. The event benefits wounded soldiers and families and the Naval Medical Center San Diego Fisher House™ that serves all of Southern California (www.nmcsd.med.navy.mil/service/services_view.cfm?csid=88) Tonight's event promises surprise special guests. All proceeds of the $10 donation will go to Naval Medical Center San Diego Fisher House™. read press release
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May 29, 2005 photo of John and Robby last month
John and Robby were both on hand when legendary Los Angeles deejay Jim Ladd was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May 6th in front of the Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard. On the Jim Ladd section on the 95.5 KLOS website there are a number of photos of the event. This photo shows Robby (in the red cap) kneeling, and John standing right behind Jim Ladd. To see a fan's photo of John and Doors Manager Jeff Jampol at the ceremony, go here
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May 15, 2005 Robby & John appearance
Legendary Los Angeles deejay Jim Ladd was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, May 6th in front of the Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard. Jim Ladd is a huge fan and supporter of The Doors, and all week leading up to the event, radio station 95.5 KLOS was announcing that some members of The Doors would be in attendance at the ceremony. I was far from home and unable to attend, but I did get reports (and a photo) from others who attended. Honorary Mayor Johnny Grant said it was the largest crowd ever, with many rock stars and celebrities in attendance, including Robby Krieger and John Densmore, Jackson Browne, George Thorogood, Woody Harrelson, and Ed Begley Jr. John spoke quite beautifully about the honoree at the podium, along with others. After the ceremony when all were assembled for photos at the star with Jim Ladd, John and Robby spoke privately for some time, and even posed for some photos of just the two of them. To see a photo of John and Doors Manager Jeff Jampol at the ceremony, go here (thanks, Shelley & Michael)
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April 14, 2005 Mojo Magazine
U.K.'s Mojo Magazine has a special limited issue out currently entitled Psychedelic! This is an overall terrific issue, but there are several Doors references contained within, as well. Under the "Timeline 1965" caption (May) is a reference to Robby and John forming a short-lived band called The Psychedelic Rangers, the first known instance of a rock group referring to itself as "psychedelic." There are numerous other references to The Doors throughout the issue. 'Strange Days' is named as one of the 40 greatest psychedelic albums of all time on page 125. There's even a photo of Jefferson Airplane onstage at the Matrix in San Francisco on page 33, which shows just how small and intimate that club was. (thanks, Fred)
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February 24, 2005 John story excerpt <> Tribaljazz "listening session"
John Densmore authored a tribute to his mentor, Elvin Jones, which appeared in the November / December issue of Utne Magazine. A brief excerpt of that story appears on John's page on the official website: "My mentor, my main man, has finally broken on through to the other side. Elvin Jones, the polyrhythmic "jazz machine" and the motor behind John Coltrane, has crossed the tracks. He died on May 18, 2004. Elvin blazed a new path for all the rest of us timekeepers. He was the first to free up the job of clockwork, improvising continually, but never sacrificing a strong sense of pulse. He churned rhythms like an eggbeater and served up multi-meals within every four bars. With his beats perpetually on the edge, Elvin sounded like he was going to fall into his drum set, but never did." (thanks, Ken)
John Densmore's Tribaljazz project is set to release its first recording in June 2005 on Hidden Beach Records. For an "advance listening session" go to: http://www.tribaljazzband.com/
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February 22, 2005 Off The Record with John <> John & Reza release is out
John Densmore in a brand new conversation with Joe Benson, along with music of The Doors, will be featured on the nationally syndicated radio program Off The Record. For stations around the country who broadcast the show, go to http://unclejoe.com/onair/OTR.htm (listed down the far right.)
John Densmore's Hen House Studios released 'Ray Of The Wine' from Persian-American musician Reza Derakshani on February 1st. According to the story, Reza and John plan to gig in Los Angeles in the spring, with the distinct possibility of touring behind 'Ray of the Wine.' read more
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January 27, 2005 new Doors anthology coming
New York publishers started bidding on Friday (January 21) for a new Doors anthology tentatively called "Break on Thru," which promises to be, in effect, the band's autobiography. The book would take the form of a massive oral-history tome, with its contents derived mostly from recorded conversations with drummer John Densmore, keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robbie Krieger, and augmented by excerpts from interviews with late frontman Jim Morrison and comments from the group's closest associates. It would also include rare and exclusive photos, letters and memorabilia, as well as a CD/DVD featuring exclusive footage. This story came from MTV news at: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1496135/20050121/lopez_jennifer.jhtml?headlines=true
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January 9, 2005 Reza CD with John for sale
John Densmore produced and played on a CD with Iranian musician Reza Derakshani entitled "Ray of the Wine" which has now been released for sale from Hen House Studios. The CD can be purchased thru CD Baby. go here
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John news 2006 <> John news 2004 <> John news 2003 <> John news 2002
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Robby news only
Ray news only
http://www.henhousestudios.com/ John is involved in Hen House Studios, a community recording studio in Venice, CA
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