Did anyone see them play in Houston, and would you agree with the review? It sounds pretty good, but i'd love to here from somebody who was there before I fork over $65. I think without a doubt the Backyard is by far the best venue they could play at in Austin. Revamped Doors dispels skepticism with spirit By MICHAEL D. CLARK Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle The partial reunion of '60s rock icon The Doors plus some new recruits had all the makings of a nostalgic disaster. In an upset, it wasn't. The soul of Jim Morrison escaped untarnished after the band ran through a two hour-plus set of psychedelic favorites ranging from the growling Five to One to the organ-ladled Light My Fire at the Verizon Wireless Theater on Friday. Had the chaotic poet and original vocalist been there (and some who still don't believe Morrison is dead were, no doubt, searching the crowd for him), he might have enjoyed seeing mates Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger bashing away as former Cult singer Ian Astbury channeled his spirit. Three decades ago the idea of The Doors touring without Morrison (who died of a drug overdose in 1971) would have been a rock 'n' roll fiasco of Milli Vanilli proportions. Heading into Friday's show, the whip-crack of opportunism was diluted by the curiosity of seeing the band's psychedelic magic re-created in any form. But The Doors 21st Century Live tour, featuring Astbury in the role of Morrison and Ty Dennis filling in for John Densmore on drums, did not come together without problems. Ian Astbury fills in on vocals for the late Jim Morrison during The Doors concert Friday at Verizon Wireless Theater. Densmore filed a lawsuit last month against Manzarek and Krieger accusing them of breach of contract and unfair competition by using the band's name and logo. More strange was a breach of contract lawsuit filed by drummer Stewart Copeland, who was originally set to tour with the new Doors, but was ousted after injuring his elbow. All these side dramas stacked upon the premise of reviving a Vietnam War-era band in a world engulfed by the Iraqi conflict opened, well, the door to mockery. Cynicism was cast away as the group took the stage for Roadhouse Blues with a proper balance of mimicry and tribute. Astbury has grown his hair into a fluffy flower, similar to that of a youthful Morrison. He accessorized the part of L.A. shaman with sunglasses and a leather coat. When singing, however, Astbury smartly remained himself offering When the Music's Over and Riders on the Storm with the same scratchy, nicotine-soaked wail he used with the Cult. There have been others -- Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder and Scott Weiland of the Stone Temple Pilots -- who have been considered the natural successors to Morrison. Astbury was probably the best choice for this tour. While not matching voiceboxes as well as the others, Astbury explored a spirituality and mysticism on the Cult's best '80s alternative rock that parallels The Doors' own journey. The gypsy jam of Spanish Caravan and Manzarek's cavernous organ chords on Riders on the Storm offered brief glimpses at what an original Doors concert might have been like. The illusion worked because Astbury's states of stomp and meditation held him in complete catharsis. Even if the newcomers did not convert older Doors fans, the opportunity to see Manzarek exchange midsong organ interludes with Krieger's blues-influenced guitar on Break on Through (to the Other Side) and Love Me Two Times was worth it. The two faced each other and beat out the songs with renewed energy, smiling as if they shared a secret. It's possible The Doors 21st Century Live could spiral out of control in the coming year. An untitled song debuted in Houston sounded too modern for The Doors' catalog and an album just sounds like an invitation to scorn. Repainted Doors or not, for one night it was possible to get caught up in the soul of The Doors. Like visiting Mayan ruins or Egyptian pyramids, seeing the fractured history that's left behind is better than seeing nothing at all.
Check out CNNs website. The estate of Jim Morrison (i.e. his kin and former wife) are suing the hell out of Ray Manzarek and Robbie Krieger for "trademark infringement". These are piled on top of the lawsuits already filed by John Densmore (also for trademark infringement) and Stewart Copeland (for breach of contract when they dumped him prior to kicking off the tour). At this rate, they will have to stay on the road for 3 years straight so they can pay their legal fees. I wouldn't pay a dime to see this shizznit, but then again, I never did like the Doors music all that much.
These lawsuits sound a bit silly to me, but there is always two sides to every story. With tickets going for $65 they have got to be making a fortune. I'm really just concerned with how they sound, I listened to The Doors quite abit growing up and would enjoy seeing them, if the show was a quality production.
I think it is freaking ridiculous how everyone and their mother is coming out of the woodwork to sue. Why don't they just line them up for execution? I mean...first it was going to be the original 3 band members reviving the band. They even changed the name a little bit. Then, the drummer had some medical condition and couldn't do it. He gets better later and sues because he can't get back in cause it was probably too late considering they brought in another drummer. So, he sues his former bandmates. Then, you have the former Police drummer who is saying he was stiffed on the drumming job. So, he sues. Now, you have Morrison's and Pamela's estates suing. Whatever...I'm going to sue each of you for reading this post and using the word "doors" cause I'm a biyatch. When does it all end? Stop the band; stop the music; stop the lawsuits! Some reunions just don't work out well. I hope each one of these lawsuits eats sh*ts and dies. Just let them play the damn music and tour...FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.
If Krieger and Manzarek are touring as The Doors and playing The Doors' songs, whose copyrights are held jointly by the three surviving members and Jim Morrison's estate, and Krieger and Manzarek are not compensating Densmore and Morrison's estate, then it is illegal, and I hope Krieger and Manzarek get taken to the cleaners. I couldn't care less about Stewart Copeland's lawsuit.
The Doors died when Jim OD'd in his bathtub in Paris..... This is just some tribute band with 2 original members and the washed up dude from The Cult on vocals doing his best Morrison impersonation... I definately would not shell out 65 clams for this abhorration.
Your right...of course. I'm not a lawyer but I imagine if their performing songs which belong to the original Doors...then those original members or estates are probably entitled to something. However, I'm sure there is a difference in performing the songs versus selling the songs(e.g. CDs) as far as compensation is concerned. Jim and the drummer are not performing for one reason or another(death; disability). I think Ray said they were touring as "The Doors 21st Century" or some shazmut. I just find it all one fascinating clusterf*ck at how it has all unfolded. Tour first and deal with the aftermath of who gets what later? Doesn't sound very smart. Plus, I'm just so sick and tired of all the damn lawsuits popping up everywhere you turn. Apparently, Krieger and Manzarek don't know squat about conducting Doors business or this could have all been avoided. I wouldn't pay to see them now, anyway. I don't think their doing this for the music or the fans. Their doing this to solidify their financial futures. I would not want to watch the former Cult singer sing these songs, anyway. I think that guy is terrible. I want to get a lawsuit in there if I can about something Doors related .
From what I understand Densmore played previous Doors tributes etc. and is mad because he feels they shouldn't play without him. He is still making money off this tour which is absolutely banking. If Densmore could play he would be out there, the original Doors members want him to play, but he says he can't because of his ear problem. As for Copeland i'm sure he got paid something, but anyways the show must go on...Surfguy how can you not love Astbury he's the last great rockstar...
I probably wouldn't be interested in seeing the Doors even if Morrison was alive (he'd probably be more like Marlon Brando than Mick Jagger now). In fact, I would be more impressed if Manzarek and Krieger played new music together rather than see them relive their 20s. Why go see an oldies act whose best days are way behind them when there are plenty of exciting bands out there doing new music?
Well i've read alot of reviews about the show now and none have been bad. I hate tribute acts and all that nonsense, but I really love The Doors and this seems more along the lines of the Greatful Dead reunioun tour than say KISS or Black Sabbath. I don't know though I still haven't bought the tickets...$30 bucks ya i'm there $65 ug thats alot of money...
Interestingly enough...Jim Morrison's parents are suing over the following: "Defendants have knowingly, intentionally and maliciously misappropriated and infringed upon the valuable name and logo of the Doors ... by stealing these valuable property rights and employing them for the purpose of naming, promoting and marketing a new band" I don't see how the new Doors will win this one. It doesn't read like it has anything to do with the copyrighted music itself. It seems they are allowed to still perform the songs. Name and logo...why don't they just call themselves The Windows and create a new logo? Jim was the doors...aka multiple personality disorder on acid trip/alcohol binge syndrome. These guys are the windows. LOL. I also thought I saw or read an interview with the drummer about him being recovered enough to have been able to resume drumming before the tour launch and tour. I believe it said his ear condition was treatable and his treatments were going well. Continuing...he wanted to rejoin the band but they didn't accept him back in and went with another drummer instead. I may have made this up...lol..but I seem to recall learning this. I can't pinpoint the memory date so it may have been from a dream . How are we capitalizing, man? We're The Windows formerly known as The Doors 21st Century and they were The Doors.
I saw them live at the Houston Coliseum and they were fantastic. Why muck up a great memory? I'll pass.
The only reason I really want to go is to see the Wolf Child. I can't believe there are no BBS folks who went to the Doors show at Verizon. I thought I could get at least a few first hand reviews...
The Cult wrote the same song over and over again. Even the Doors (never the most versatile of bands) had more variety than the Cult.
You were at the show where Jim Morrison crawled under the stage at the Coliseum? Wasn't that around 1968-69? Please elaborate. Do tell, do tell!!!
The Movin' Sidewalks opened and just blew the place apart. They were so good (they became ZZ Top), that when the Doors followed you could tell that they were going to be up for the gig. Before their set, the place was really buzzin' from the Sidewalks. It also took a little while for their pyrotechnic's smoke to clear out, lol. (big explosions at the end of their set, at least they seemed big... I don't think it was entirely the "state" I was in at the time ) They opened with Break On Through, then Backdoor Man. They did a long version of When the Music's Over (no surprise there). Crystal Ship was one of the last (one of my faves) and I know they closed with Light My Fire. Jim was all over the place... he could have been under the stage for a bit, but I really can't remember. The place was going nuts. He had on TIGHT leather pants that left nothing to the imagination and the chicks were going crazy. They were really, really, really great. So many groups were back then and so much of it wasn't recorded in any kind of high quality, which is a damn shame. It was in the first part of July, 1968. That was a great summer.
Wow! You must be really, really, really old . What a show that must have been! I'm jealous as hell. I was -2 years of age at the time of that show. What a turbulent time in history to take in a Doors show...right smack dab near the beginning of the Vietnam war and the hippie peace movements with all the free love and drugs. Sounds like you had a definite good time but maybe you weren't as coherent to remember all the little details . I admire you for taking it all in and being around to tell about it in a Rockets forum. Very cool . That will always be a regret...never seeing The Doors in concert. I had to settle for the movie .
