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 2004 <> John news 2003 <> John news 2002
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http://www.henhousestudios.com/ John is involved in Hen House Studios, a community recording studio in Venice, CA
return to Ida's L.A. Woman Confidential home page
for more Doors news and reviews
