Tribute to The Doors All-Star Celebration
Sunset Strip Music Festival
House of Blues       August 16, 2012

If photos are inserted at a later date, the story link will be reposted

It was a great night with celeb guests and great music ... but let me start at the beginning.  This was the launch party for the Sunset Strip Music Festival.  Fans who bought the VIP 3-day pass had access to attend this night.

I arrived quite early at the House of Blues (about 4:30-ish) in an effort to get ahead of rush-hour traffic.  There were already some fans waiting in line.  Once the media check-in began, I could not believe how many photographers, videographers and other media people were there; their arrivals and check-ins truly seemed endless.  It was impressive and heartwarming to witness this much interest in my fave band!  After check-in, they were allowed to proceed down to the red carpet area to await the arrivals.  Meanwhile, the line-up of fans with the SSMF VIP passes stretched all the way up the side street.

I was blessed to be on the guest list.  When I finally got checked-in and could get to the red carpet area, Ray and Robby were just about finishing up posing and chatting with the media.  I was able to snap a few quick photos, including one of them with Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman.  No sign of John. 

Once inside, the pre-show party was sponsored by Jack Daniels, and there were trays of Jack & Coke along with slider burgers, quesadillas, etc. being offered to everyone.  After saying hi to some friends who were taking their positions in front of the stage for the concert, I headed upstairs to the VIP area which overlooked the stage and floor.  Ray and Robby and other VIPs were mingling and munching.  I joined a table with friends Michael C. Ford and photographer Jill Jarrett, who were sharing a table with friends of Rick Manczarek.  Ray sat at our table for a few minutes, and I was able to get a new photo with him!  John Doe came over to our table to talk to Ray!  Very cool.

The program was preceded by a video tribute to The Doors, then legendary deejay & emcee Jim Ladd gave some opening remarks about the band.  Ladd then introduced John Doe who talked for a few minutes, followed by Saturday's SSMF headliner Marilyn Manson.  Next up was Jac Holzman who spoke about seeing the band several times before he "got it", and then signing them.  Jac also mentioned the Doors app that will be released later this year or early in 2013.  Somewhere in there was also an appearance by the Mayor of West Hollywood and several councilmen, who declared The Doors Day. Next up were Nick Adler (The Roxy) and Mikael Maglieri (The Whisky) who both spoke before presenting the band with the Elmer Valentine Award.  Ray and Robby joined Nick and Mikael on stage to accept the award on behalf of the band.

It was now 9:15 and the All-Star Band took to the stage.  Joining Ray and Robby on stage were Matt Sorum on drums, Billy Morrison on rhythm guitar, and Paul Ill on bass.

The first vocalist was Franky Perez who sang 'Roadhouse Blues' and 'Break On Through'.  Ray did a fancy extended intro to BOT, very tasty.

The next singer was Linda Armstrong (Dead Sara), who sang 'Soul Kitchen', followed by Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray) sang 'Light My Fire'.

Producer and singer Linda Perry (4 Non-Blondes) came onstage next and sang 'Back Door Man' and 'L.A. Woman'.

At the end, the singers all returned to the stage to take their bows with Robby, Ray, and the other musicians.

It was a great, high-energy show.  The guys 'behind-the-scenes' deserve a shout-out for another job well done ... Owen Goldman was Ray's keyboards tech, Forrest Penner was Robby's guitar guy, and Michael Dumas ran the mixing board.

If and when I insert photos, I'll re-post the story link with that info.

8/19/2012

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