VH-1 STORYTELLERS

recorded:  Tuesday, September 26, 2000  --  8:00 p.m.

first broadcast:  Sunday, November 22, 2000 -- Thanksgiving weekend

Doors fans learned of the incredible opportunity to attend the taping of VH-1 Storytellers with only a few days notice.   Kerry Humpherys of Doors Collectors Magazine was contacted by VH-1 and asked to help assemble an audience of Doors fans.   VH-1 wanted to be assured of an enthusiastic live audience of Doors fans who could attend on short notice, and on a weekday, in Hollywood.

With Kerry's network of internet newsletter subscribers and excited phone calls, fans from all over the world made the instantaneous decision to come to L.A. and be a part of this.   I even went to LAX and picked up a total stranger (a few quick e-mails) who arrived from Germany mere hours before the event's check-in began.

Attendees had to check-in behind the KTLA Studios on Sunset Boulevard at a table set up on a side street, where admittance tickets were issued.   Eventually groups were escorted behind the buildings and lined up on the sidewalk.    We probably spent several hours in the  check-in and line-up process before we were allowed to go in.  It didn't matter; it was thrilling to be a part of this elite audience group, every one of us an excited and sincere Doors fan.

Once we got inside we all headed for where we hoped to sit ... unfortunately, some of us were 're-located' from front row to second row   :=(     I stayed positioned directly in front of Robby with a few friends;   I got a smile & wave from him during the question & answer segment!

Spotted in the audience were Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray; Joel Lipman (creator of the Celebration Of The Lizard play which had recently played in San Diego);  film producer and Doors associate Rick Schmidlin;  and Doors tribute band Wild Child's lead singer, Dave Brock.   I'm sure there were many more notables I didn't see or recognize.

Taping began a few minutes past 8:00 p.m.    Ray had incense burning on his keyboards.   There was a raised platform along side John's drums with some percussion instruments, an indication of a special performance to follow.  Robby's guitar sported a shiny metallic strap, which he has been using regularly ever since.    Angelo Barbera on bass stood at the back near John, behind Robby.

PAT MONAHAN of Train was the first performer out ... he sang Love Me Two Times, and then he was called for a re-take.

Ray talked about the inspiration behind that song, and then spoke about Alabama Song & Back Door Man.

IAN ASTBURY & BILLY DUFFY of The Cult came out next and performed those two songs, as well as Wild Child.

Ray talked about Wild Child, and then John talked about the evolution of The End.

TRAVIS MEEKS of Days Of The New performed The End.   There were two musicians on percussion and another guitarist joining in on this song.   Partway through the performance, John left the drums and moved over to play percussion on the raised platform next to the drums.

John spoke about Break On Through, followed by SCOTT WEILAND of Stone Temple Pilots performing Break On Through;  Five To One;  and then a re-take of Five To One.

Robby talked about Five To One, and then they all spoke about what their sons are currently doing:  Robby's son Waylon has formed a band called Ruby.  Ray's son Pablo has a band called A.I., or Artificial Intelligence.  John's son is 8 years old and plays soccer!

Ray spoke about L.A. Woman, and then PERRY FARRELL of Jane's Addiction came out and sang it.   What an energetic performance, it is too bad that most of it was judged to be unusable and was not included in the broadcast or subsequent releases.

There was an impromptu jam on Hoochie Coochie Coo, followed by a return of  IAN ASTBURY & BILLY DUFFY for a re-take on Wild Child.

Next came a Question & Answer segment with the audience.   These are the topics that were questioned:

    > about chances of The Doors getting back together and touring

    > about the movie Hwy

    > about L. A. Woman

    > about the Black Train song

    > about the full-length Celebration Of The Lizard

    > about the pacing (tempo) of the demos

    > about New Haven

    > about a new Doors movie (documentary) that would set Oliver Stone's record straight

    > about multiple orgasms

    > about rehearsals & the development of Jim's voice

    > about Break On Through ... to what?

    > about moving Jim's grave from Pere LaChaise

    > about the inspiration for Hello I Love You

Robby talked about Riders On The Storm, and mentioned that he had played with Creed the night before.   This was followed by SCOTT STAPP & MARK TREMONTI of Creed playing Riders On The Storm;  a re-take of Riders On The Storm; and Roadhouse Blues.

Ray talked about Roadhouse Blues, Robby talked about Light My Fire, and then SCOTT STAPP & MARK TREMONTI performed Light My Fire.

This was the end of the performances.   All of the participants except for Perry Farrell and Scott Weiland returned and took final bows.  

Danny Sugerman came out and was introduced to the audience as the person who convinced Ray, Robby, and John to return to the stage together for this Storytellers event.   He spoke briefly, thanking everyone for being a part of the special evening.

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It was all over at about 10:15 p.m.    Some of us were just too stoked to go home and go to sleep, so a small group adjourned to a nearby I-Hop Restaurant, where for hours we excitedly re-lived the thrills and compared our observations and impressions.

Of course, we can all relive it on video, DVD and CD, but there was NOTHING like being in that audience and seeing the three of them together again, making their magical music.

by Ida

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