The Doors of the 21st Century

 June 26, 2004

 Sunset Station Arena, Henderson (Las Vegas), Nevada

It was 18 months ago -- on January 19, 2003 -- when The Doors played Rain at The Palms in Las Vegas.

That was only the third show they had performed since announcing on June 27, 2002 their plans to perform together for the Harley-Davidson 100th anniversary show at California Speedway in Fontana, California on September 6th, 2002.

Now, literally two years after that Harley-Davidson press conference at L.A.'s House of Blues, The Doors of the 21st Century returned to Las Vegas to play their 50th show on Saturday night at the Sunset Station Arena in Henderson, Nevada.

This venue was outside, under the stars and a half moon in the sky.   It was an open stage with no backdrop, so there were no video projections behind Ty and the drums:  nothing to distract the rambunctious audience from the performance!   The temperature had cooled to about 75 or 80 degrees, so there was no need for sweaters or jackets.   We encountered several people trying to score tickets as we approached the entrance, so I can only assume the show was sold out.

The band took to the stage at 8:25 p.m. and launched into Roadhouse Blues.   Robby wore a black tee-shirt with Jim's face in white song titles on the front, camouflage pants, and a black Tigermax baseball cap.  Ray wore a white long-sleeve shirt over a light shirt and dark pants.   Ian wore a black short-sleeve tee-shirt and blue jeans.  Angelo was in a grey long-sleeve shirt and blue jeans.  Ty wore a black shirt and dark pants.

Break On Through and then When The Music's Over followed.   Ray introduced all the band members, and then Robby introduced Ray, from Chicago, Illinois.   Ray took his bows and removed his white shirt to reveal a pale yellow short-sleeved shirt, then sat back down as Robby began Love Me Two Times.

Robby removed his Tigermax cap as Ray played an extended, intricate intro to Moonlight Drive.    Partway through that song, Ray said this was for Rick & The Ravens and the Turkey Joint West, and injected some Louie Louie into the song.   Robby kept the bottleneck that he had just used on MLD as they played Wild Child.   As that song was drawing to a close, Ian and Ray sang some "please please listen to me children" ... that was a new touch!!!

Ray told the crowd that his brother Rick and his wife Linda were at the show, and that they were newlyweds.   In honor of them, Ray suggested a trip to the whisky bar as the band took that cue to go into Alabama Song.    Back Door Man was next, and Ian tossed in a little bit of 'devil is a woman'.

It was now 9:20 as the thunderous pounding of Five To One began with Ray on his feet, hunched over the keys for the beginning lines.   Ian, Ty, and Angelo left the stage while Ray explained that Robby was going to play flamenco.   After a quick exhortation to vote, Ray also left the stage and Robby took center stage, again wearing the baseball cap.   The band returned as the flamenco solo segued into Spanish Caravan, followed by Changeling, Peace Frog, and 21st Century Fox.

L. A. Woman was next, and ended at 10:00 ... the band thanked the audience and left the stage.   D21C manager Tom Vitorino appeared at the mike in response to the audience cheering and asked if we wanted to hear one more.

Light My Fire was the crowd-pleasing encore.   During his solo, Ray was down on his knees, playing the keys with his right foot and much more animated playing.   Robby injected parts of both Elinor Rigby and My Favorite Things into his solo before Ty took a drum solo, and then Angelo took a bass solo while a fan who had gotten onstage was escorted off.

At 10:20 the last song of their 50th concert ended, and all five band members lined up center stage and took their bows.

Backstage after the show were Robby's wife Lynn, and Robby's son Waylon and his fellow bandmates from Adapt, James Beasley and Julian Plascencia.   Also backstage were the frontmen of the two L.A.-based Doors tribute bands:  Dave Brock of Wild Child and Tony Fernandez of Peace Frog.

by Ida    6-28-04

to see photos from this show, go to:   http://robbykrieger.com/doors/gallery64.htm

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