The Doors 21st Century

Le Zenith, Paris, France

December 9, 2003

Le Zenith was a fairly long walk from the metro station.  This 6,300 capacity venue had a very large floor that was general admission standing in front of the stage, and then reserved seating all around the back and sides of the arena.  I was surprised to be asked for money from the young lady who ushered me to my seat!   At any rate, I found myself seated near friends:  Fred Baggen and his friend Cees from The Netherlands were a few rows ahead, and Michelle Campbell, renowned photographer of Jim's grave, was one row behind me.  Michelle looked crowded and cramped in her row, and she joined me in my row.

Some of the music being played pre-show included a traditional version of Alabama Song, and Gimme Some Loving by the Spencer Davis Group.   At 9:02, Carmina Burana began.   The stage had one large screen behind the drums only, and no side screens.  The young lion image of Jim with 1943-1971 under the photo, evoked cheers from the crowd when it appeared.  The general admission area was packed solid with fans.  Although there had been some opportunists outside the venue trying to sell off some tickets, the seated reserved seat sections looked solidly sold out.

Band manager Tom Vitorino took to the microphone to announce:  Ladies and Gentlemen, from Los Angeles, it's The Doors of the 21st Century.   Ian appeared in a black long-sleeved shirt tucked into blue jeans, covered up by a black pea coat.  Ray wore a dark ribbed sweater and dark pants.  Robby was in a camouflage print jacket and camouflage print pants (fashionably mis-matched patterns).  Ty wore a long sleeved dark shirt and black knit cap, and Phil was in a dark jacket and dark pants.  

Roadhouse Blues opened the show.  Ray was on his feet during part of the instrumental jam.  Brotherhood of Light does some terrific video accompaniments to the songs, and this opener was enhanced by dizzying freeway shots and a very cool light show.  Ty's knit cap was off and Ray's sweater was removed before beginning Break On Through.

When that song ended, Ian removed the pea coat, Ray rolled up his sleeves, and Phil removed his jacket as Robby's guitar began Love Me Two Times.   Ray said:  no, not the right one ... then he said okay, let's play that one!!!   So that song was begun again, with Ray up on his feet and Robby dancing around the stage.

It was 9:25 ... Ray told the audience it was good to be here, and thank you for taking care of Jim.   Robby now had on a dark knit cap before beginning When The Music's Over, which Ian began with a giant leap off the drum riser.  Ian danced around with maracas during the middle instrumental part of the song ... the crowd was noisy and anxious for that song climax ... Ian said "shut up" ... Ray said "shut the fuck up for a second .. what do you think this is, a rock and roll concert?"   before going into the "what have they done to the earth" segment.   After NOW, Ian hurled the mike stand behind Ray's keyboards, and Marco quickly scurried out with a replacement mike stand.   As the song ended, Ray was again on his feet and walked over to the drums to applaud Ty.

Ian explained a little faux pas in the WTMO lyrics he had just sung by saying that "sometimes Jim fucks with me, tells me to do things."   Ray suggested that maybe what Ian needed is a good strong drink of whisky .. maybe we could find a whisky bar in Paris .. and then naturally, they went into Alabama Song, followed by Back Door Man.   At the song's end, blues man Howling Wolf was projected on the screen.  Ian said that Robert Johnson was the original rapper, and Robby countered with Willie Dixon.   Robby removed his camouflage jacket to a plain grey long sleeved shirt.

Five To One followed with Ray repeatedly singing the "gotta get together one more time."  As Ian began the drug rap portion of the song, he said 'we're gonna go to Pere La Chaise, we're gonna wake up Jim and tell him we're gonna get fuuuuucked uuuuuuuuuup.

Ty and Phil left the stage as two stools appeared by Ray's keyboards.   Ian and Robby sat down, and Ian said:  "intro, Maestro" as Robby began People Are Strange.  At the end of the song, Robby introduced Ty and Phil, who - of course, had left the stage.   Drum tech Owen looked surprised to be caught in the spotlight of the introduction and ducked down!!   The always beautiful Crystal Ship followed next, and then Ian exited the stage.   Ray said that Robby will play some great flamenco guitar for you, and then he also exited.  Robby took his usual brilliant solo spotlight as he strummed flamenco stage front on his custom Rick Turner guitar.   As the familiar strains of Spanish Caravan began and the band returned to their positions, the crowd went nuts in showing their appreciation.   Ian complemented with tambourine.

Next up, Ray announced that they were going to do L. A. Woman from top to bottom for Jim, for Paris, and that no one can leave the arena, 'because no one here gets out alive.'   It was now 10:10 as The Changeling began the L.A.W. section of the show.  Ray played the outro with his right foot on the keys, even playing with his foot.  Ian said of Ray:  'they call him Mr. Shoe.' 

Ray asked the audience what the next song is:  Love Her Madly, followed by Been Down So Long and Cars Hiss By My Window.   It was now 10:30 as the haunting L'America began.   Ian disappeared from the stage when the band finished up Riders On The Storm ... I could not tell if he jumped into the pit, was pulled, or fell off!

Robby began Crawling King Snake, and Ian said it was the wrong song so they restarted on Hyacinth House.   Ian put on sunglasses for Crawling King Snake, once again led off by Robby.   Artski was videotaping this one, and moved in close on Robby and his bottleneck playing.  Ray announced that they were gonna play for hours, and Robby chimed in by saying "You have nowhere to go, right?"  Ray said they were just getting started.

Ian gestured for everyone in the seated sections to get up, as they began Texas Radio.  The audience took Ian's lead, with mass clapping over their heads.   At 11:00 L. A. Woman began, and there was some crowd surfing going on down front.   The band left the stage at 11:10, but not before Ray said:  "Thank you for Jim" and "God bless."

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by Ida