July 24, 2005
 

Doors still young at heart
 

A show of epic proportions to any music followers the re-formed Doors were as spine-tingling as they were in the drugged-out '60s.

The show was sold and booked as the Doors of the 21st Century, but after an injunction Friday by Doors original drummer John Densmore that prevented the reformed band from using the Doors name, the band announced last night that they are now known as D21C.

Nonetheless the classic act was here, or least guitarist Robby Krieger and keyboardist Ray Manzarek, were. They were rounded out with Phil Chen on bass, Ty Dennis on drums, and, with the unenviable task of filling in for The Lizard King, was Ian Astbury formerly of the Cult.

As the band came out, the Saddledome crowd jumped to their feet. Astbury, dressed in Jim Morrison-like tight leathers, simply kicked butt the moment he started to sing.

Amazing on its own.

With an enthusiastic opening of Roadhouse Blues, Astbury really took off. Krieger and his trademark Gibson SG and Manzarek did not allow themselves to be left behind.

Musically this group has progressed further than anything heard on their previous records.

Astbury didn't miss the opportunity to mock the injunction, even in the middle of songs.

With screaming guitars and glam choruses the opening act the Pat Travers Band, was exactly that, an opening act that was still stuck in the '70s and '80s.

Middle act Vanilla Fudge didn't disappoint. With a few originals and covers, familiarity, it seems, makes a show that much better. So contrary to what you may think of an aged band titled Vanilla Fudge they actually rocked.