from San Diego Edge Magazine July 23, 2003
Local Music Scene: by Steve Yablonicky
THE DOORS OF THE 21ST CENTURY
And the band played on; Life after Jim !
Thirty-Seven years with one of the most influential bands of rock'n roll; the lines were not always clear and most certainly entwined. Looking back through the haze of years gone by, certain truths can indeed be held true. September fifth, that truth will ring loud and clear in San Diego. The Doors headline at Street Scene 2003!
The original lineup of singer/poet Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore recorded and released seven albums of some of the most forceful, eccentric and unforgettable rock music ever. The bands incendiary live act defied depiction. Morrison, the Lizard King, harangued, challenged and confronted his audience. He brought them to the edge of his universe and, sometimes beyond.
Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger and John Densmore played the psychedelic Bacchanalian rhythms in tight, precise order; the perfect accompaniment to Morrison's full-fledged flights into the oft-times disturbing depths of his and our sub-conscious. Combined together, musical magic was made that would affect years of generations to come.
The band suffered a crippling loss with the death of Morrison, from a heart attack in Paris on July 3, 1971 at the ender, but not so innocent age of 27. The core years of the bands all-too-brief history were over. Many, if not all, of the bands fans were convinced that this was the last time The Doors would ever be heard. The trio carried on after Morrison's death. The band recorded and released two more albums and still performed brilliantly in live performances. When they too finally realized that the music just might be over, the remaining members mutually agreed to call it quits in 1972, with a vow of respect and dignity for the Doors name.
Thirty years later The Doors have re-formed to play both classic and new music. Not everyone was so delighted, their original drummer John Densmore, who had asked for a restraining order against the group from using the name, songs and logo without his consent. In an order dated May 13, 2003, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gregory W. Alarcon denied a motion for a preliminary injunction sought by Densmore, who filed suit against his band mates in February (Densmore v Manzarek, et al., Case No. BC289730). The court refused that order, and his subsequent injunction was denied. The tour has gone on as scheduled, selling out venues across the country. While Densmore argued that the new tour would harm the bands legacy, the Court said, "the majority of the reviews of such performances have been favorable in a way which actually may add to the prestige of the original The Doros rather than detract from it." We're happy justice prevailed, says Manzarek. We feel the judge made a wise and astute decision. And as we have from the beginning, our invitation for John Densmore to play with the band still stands.
As guitarist Robby Krieger so suitably states, "30 years after our last gig together is long enough to wait." The lure to play that enchanting and mystifying music has been resisted by its creators for over three decades. Why should The Doors get back together now? Ray Manzarek, the eloquent, keeper-of-the-flame after all these years, simply smiles and says, "The stars are properly aligned now for this to happen and with the seriousness of the times we live in, it seemed only right to reinvent The Doors.
Now, with a new millennium The Doors has been born, giving Manzarek and Krieger a joyous sense of re-birth. The whispers of possible Doors reunion were first heard when the surviving band members performed on the popular VH-1: Storytellers series. Classic Doors music performed with a variety of reverent singers like Stone Temple Pilot's Scott Weiland, Creed's Scott Stapp and The Cult's Ian Astbury gave a feel as to what it would be like to perform together again. It was almost 18 months later, when that feeling became a reality.
Manzarek recalls, "Out of the blue, we received a call this summer from the Harley-Davidson motorcycle company. They wanted us to headline a couple of their 100-Year anniversary gigs. It sounded like it would be fun, and it would give us the chance to perform before huge numbers of fans again. That was all the impetus we needed to re-form The Doors."
The search to find a new singer who could fill the shoes of Jim Morrison proved to be a most difficult task, but in the end, Manzarek and Krieger felt that Ian Astbury was the man. Manzarek declares, "We knew that Ian of the English band, The Cult, had always expressed a desire to perform with The Doors, saying that if we ever decided to go back out on the road, he wanted to be a part of it. What I like about Ian is that he's coming from the same place as Jim, but he has a touch of the shaman about him. Ian is his own man. He's got that sense of danger about him that is so Morrison-esque, without being an imitation of Jim Morrison. We just couldn't resist him. Krieger adds, "Ian was a little apprehensive at first because he didn't want anyone to think he was going to copy Jim Morrison. He's being himself on stage, and it has worked really well. We'll never replace Jim, but that's not the point. Ian bring his own interpretations of our music to the stage while, at the same time, giving off a vibe that is very similar to Jim's. Ian is very confident that he can pull this off, and so are we."
The performances at the Harley-Davidson 100th Year Anniversary festivals in California and Ontario, in September of 2002 proved, that this new version of The Doors holds the same power and splendor the band possessed in the days of their earliest beginnings. Two-hour concert/jam sessions were potent statements as to the viability of this most anticipated reunion. The Doors music is timeless. It carries the ability to not only touch the hearts and minds of those that grew up with the band's music, but also new generations of younger fans that only had read or heard of The Doors. "We're pleased that we're able to play to crowds that include not only our original fans, but younger fans that weren't around for the first go-round," Manzarek articulates. Krieger also adds, "It was incredible to perform live with Ray again. The last 30 years have gone by in a flash, and to be on stage with Ray again was fantastic. We're doing this to have fun; that's what this is all about."
The Doors plan on playing a summer tour of European and U.S. events. They have also been working on new Doors music. Krieger and Manzarek have been writing together and, according to Manzarek, it's just like old times. "Writing with Robby again reminded me of being back in The Doors rehearsal room in 1968; it's been wonderful. What we're going to do is maintain The Doors poetic tradition by working with some modern-day poets. Robby and I are putting music together, and Ian will write lyrics for us as well.
Krieger and Manzarek agree that although the new version of The Doors has high standards to live up to, the reunion with a new member will not tarnish their historic legacy. "I think the re-formation is another link in a linear progression that will take The Doors from the 60's right up into the 21st Century. We're all about spreading love and passion to everyone who comes to hear us play, along with belief and immersion in the energy that we put forth. That's what we're out to do this time around." Krieger mentions, "we're going to keep it in The Doors tradition; but because this is a new time, and we have a new lead singer, this will also take on a life of its own and evolve in its own way."
What would Jim Morrison say about all of this new Doors activity? Manzarek's answer is upbeat and without delay. "I think Jim would be thrilled. We're going to be playing and singing Jim's lyrics 30 years after he died. He'd be the first one to say go out and do it. Jim just wanted everybody to listen to the words, and this enables us to continue to have people hear his words." Krieger agrees, "I think Jim would be happy that we're playing. I think we've waited long enough. It's time to rock again and we're going to do it one more time."
See The Doors get together one more time at Street Scene September 5th 2003. Don't miss out. It could be something you'll remember for a lifetime.
(thanks, Steve C.)
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