The Doors 21st Century

La Scene, 2 Bis Rue des Taillandiers, Paris, France

December 8, 2003

We arrived about 5:30 to ensure we got into this unadvertised show, although we were assured that we were on a guest list.   We saw the band's crew arrive to set up;  they later came out and took us into the club and indicated we could go to a VIP area, which was a small raised area with couches to the left of the stage.   This meant that we could remove our coats, put down our purses, and get off our feet for awhile until the show began.   I can be spotted in the aqua sweater in the following photo, just to the right beyond Ray's head and holding a camera.   (thanks, Artski)

The crowd were finally let in from the chilly night and the room became packed and smoke-filled.   There was a 20 euro admission charge, with an indication that the monies collected would go towards maintenance costs of the grave.   Club capacity was said to be about 300.  The excitement was palpable, and tension was relieved several times by the audience singing Happy Birthday to Jim.  The stage was set up with a large white screen behind the drums.

The band took the stage at 9:50 p.m.:  Robby wore an interesting white, long sleeved shirt with a black armband with PEACE on it, peace symbols, and the numeral 03 over a dark tee-shirt and tan pants.  Ray wore a black long sleeved ribbed sweater and dark pants.  Ian was in a black long sleeved shirt tucked into blue jeans.  Ty wore a black long sleeved shirt and knit cap.   Phil wore a black jacket over a black & white print shirt.

They opened with The Changeling.  As that exciting introduction to this special night ended, Ray had his right foot up on the keys as he played out the song. 

Ty's cap was now off as they began Love Her Madly, followed by Break On Through which included the 'dead cats, dead rats' section.  Ian spoke in French to the crowd.   Next up was Crawling King Snake.  Ray took his sweater off to reveal a dark long sleeved shirt over another shirt with a green geometric pattern.   Phil's jacket was also off as the band ... it was now 10:10 p.m. and the band began L'America.  Ian said  that this was a special concert for Jim as they went into Five To One.   When that song ended, the band left the stage, then returned.   Now Robby's white shirt with the peace signs was off, and he was wearing a black tee-shirt with Jim's face created from white song titles.

As they settled back into place, Ray got hit with a hat (I think) tossed from the audience.   Ray said "We love you, j' taime" and the band began to play Roadhouse Blues.  By now there was some crowd surfing going on at the front near the stage ... and I was reminded how glad I was to be in this slightly elevated and protected area!!  After Roadhouse Blues finished, Ray told the frenzied crowd that he had an interesting idea, to play Light My Fire and asked if they would like to hear that.  Naturally, there was resounding approval of that suggestion.  Ty and Phil each got solo spotlights during the instrumental part of the song.  

The band left the stage again.   The band's manager, Tom Vitorino, came onstage to the microphone, said this is a once in a lifetime  opportunity, and whipped the crowd into another frenzy.  It was now 10:50 and the band returned for Riders On The Storm.   Ray did a jazzy instrumental section, then segued back into the song.   When it ended at 11:00, Ian said "see you tomorrow night" and the band left the stage for the last time.

What an exciting evening it had been, to see the band in such a small, intimate club.   The club security cleared the club out, as there was another band setting up to begin a late night set there.   It was impossible to imagine any band being able to follow The Doors of the 21st Century show we had just shared.

   (thanks, Robert)

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by Ida  12/18/03