The Doors of the 21st Century

Verizon Ampitheater    Charlotte North Carolina     June 11, 2005

Thank you for this opportunity, Ida.   I will try to paint a picture for ya'll .

Ok first thing, it's Hot, I don't care what anyone says, it's Hot. !!   So I arrive after two hours of driving top down (on the car, not me) , feeling and looking like the heatmiser, flames shooting out of my head.  That's ok, I'm having fun with my burnt self.   The show opens up early due to the festival which include here, Pat Travers, The Yardbirds, and Vanilla Fudge before D21C.  The audience here is diverse, I saw babies, saw grandpas.   It was a wonderful thing to see.  And this being North Carolina, the people are so nice. 

But for some reason this show is not sold out.   I have, like, 5th row;  of course, by the time they come on at 9:30 I am front and center!  OK, so here we go.  They are next on so everyone, including myself, are up.  My arms are stretched to the tent roof and I think I may begin my screaming bout at this point.   I can't stand the tension, I have to get some air, so I actually leave my place and take some air.   Now don't get me wrong, there is security here and they like to do their job, but at this point they are just staring at me and getting out of my way.   I get air and water, and I hear the O Fortuna intro!  I freakout like Jerry Lewis and make my way back to front and center the best I could on high heels.  And there they are.   First I see Ray come out slowly and calm, waving.  The rest of the band sort of comes out behind  him,  Robby, Ty and Phil, then Ian.

Now I lose all my brain cells from that point on.   I mean the Doors to me are Godlike, I was five when I heard Light my Fire, I thought finally, now that is interesting!!! 

I also love The Cult and anything else Ian puts his amazing talent to, so bear with me.   They look great, but they are wearing, well, heavy clothing!  They are Gods!   Ray, ever handsome in linen trousers and sweater, Robby in Camo pants and Fila shirt, Ian in Bathing Ape leather jacket, t-shirt and jeans showing signs of a recent weight loss, as he endearingly hikes them up every now and then.

Now if I remember correctly they break right into Roadhouse Blues, then Break on Through.  The rest I hope I can get in order for you.  They sound great, they are loud, I never sat down again.   I just screamed and yelled with my arms in the air, mostly at Ian, all night.  Screaming every dang word of every song with him.   If I were him and someone was yelling for a whole show, man I'd be scared!    On the other hand, he will thank you.   He is such a nice person, he has inspired me to be a better person.   Yes the world is getting better and Yes this is a great show! 

OK now, Not to Touch the Earth (with He is the Lizard King, He can do anything ending.)   Notice Ian does not use "I" here.    Strange Days, When the Music is Over, Been Down So Long,  5 To 1, Spanish Caravan (what a treat!), Touch Me.  

Only one encore:  Light my Fire.  It was maddening, this band really makes love to you.  All you can do is dance, scream, dance, drool, yell, sing.   It is like being dragged into a realm you can not and will not escape.   It's wonderful.  You will get caught up in hearing this music that you have been waiting all your life ( since 72) to hear live.   So, it blows the roof off.

Ray and Robby's unmistakable expertise, sounds that are a part of your life, Ty Dennis is a killer drummer and Phil pulls together Ty and Robby.   Ian's amazing voice with the sometimes soft, other times grrr to utter sexual howls, coupled with Jim Morrison's words!!!  This should never end, they should go on forever.  Like this review.  What I hope you get to see and more,  like Ian swinging the mike longer than usual!!!   We even got a very sexy flick of his tongue, (now that tongue can work)!   Just to loosen the mike cord, he whips it like a sexual snake!!   His sex appeal has always been as apparent as his soul.   As I scream and point at him he will point both fingers at Ray and Robby, they will point back to him and so on.   Endearing!

So as I end I will say that Robby gets the accolades he deserves.  Finally people are able to bow down to him and he smiles calmly.   Ray is so nice and happy, he knows his importance but he uses it very carefully and correctly.   He talks to us about our colleges, our politics, etc.  But after the encore at 11:00 on the dot, he closes his book.  He says something to us, but I'm still screaming and can't hear him.  Never taking off a jacket, they are gone.

So in the end it is the music that lingers and always will.  The music will never be over. And I am soaking.  .  . Back to my shelter for the night, and strange occurrence, they are in the same place.   That is another story.   

Thank you. 

Love and Passion,  Debby      

See ya in NY

(thanks, Debby)

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