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Revolving Doors

Psychedelic rock icons back to relight the fire at Summerfest in Grand Beach

By rob Williams

Most people thought Jim Morrison's death in 1971 was the end for The Doors. Think again, beautiful friend.

Three decades later, two remaining members of the legendary quartet have relit the fire and returned as The Doors of the 21st Century, who play Saturday at Manitoba Summerfest in Grand Beach.

And even though Morrison's shoes are being filled by former Cult frontman Ian Astbury, the original Lizard King is still present at every show, claims founding keyboardist Ray Manzarek.

"He sort of appears on stage. If you're sensitive enough you'll get an image -- a glimpse of Jim Morrison on stage. I do," Manzarek maintains, speaking from his dressing room in Warsaw, Poland.

Manzarek, Morrison, guitarist Robbie Krieger and drummer John Densmore formed The Doors in Los Angeles in 1965 and soon became one of the most popular -- and controversial -- bands in America, releasing six albums of psychedelic-tinged rock. Songs like Riders on the Storm, Light My Fire, The End, Break On Through, L.A. Woman and Hello I Love You are staples of classic rock radio.

They came by their psychedelic influence honestly. The band's name came from Aldous Huxley's The Doors of Perception, a novel whose trippy subject matter reflected the band's interest in experimenting with LSD and mescaline.

"LSD opens the doors of perception, and once the doors of perception are open, they stay open and you see life for what it truly is: infinite," says Manzarek, stressing he now prefers a good glass of red wine to a hit of Orange Sunshine.

If only Jimbo had the same self-control. After his rampant drug use, erratic behaviour and infamous obscenity bust in Miami all but scuttled the band, the singer perished in his bathtub while living in Paris.

The remaining Doors -- who put out a pair of poorly received albums after Morrison's death -- decided to reunite after doing a VH1 Storytellers special with guest vocalists like Perry Farrell, Scott Weiland, Scott Stapp and Astbury.

Things haven't exactly gone smoothly. Densmore decided to sit out the reunion due to tinnitus, Manzarek says, so ex-Police drummer Stewart Copeland was hired -- and then fired, sparking a lawsuit that was settled last year. Densmore has also sued, claiming breach of contract, trademark infringement and unfair competition. And Morrison's family claim the band "maliciously misappropriated" the Doors name and logo and are using his poetry without permission.

The band has also taken hits from Morrison fans, but Manzarek doesn't care about them or the lawsuits -- his concern is for fans who want to hear the music of The Doors played by the people who wrote it.

"If you're in love with Jim Morrison, not The Doors, don't come. Stay home in a darkened room and light a candle and rub yourself in the private parts," he says, defending the new lineup.

"Ian's great -- he's a reincarnation of Jim Morrison," claims Manzarek. "He's a psychic Jim Morrison in the deep, dark recesses of your consciousness. He's a shaman into native American spirituality, into Buddhism, a Celtic Christian, just like Jim Morrison."

The Doors of the 21st Century are touring as a quintet that includes a bassist, which they never had in the old days. They are also working on music with a slate of lyricists -- X's John Doe, poet Jim Carroll and even the late great singer-songwriter Warren Zevon.

"I talked to Warren two months before he left the planet and said, 'Give me some lyrics, man. We're working with poets and I want something from you.' "

The band is having a great time playing to the "old stoners" and their kids, but Manzarek still misses Morrison, who would be 60 now.

"I miss laughing with Jim Morrison. I miss his poetry."

Here's hoping Jim's ghost puts in an appearance on Saturday.

MANITOBA SUMMERFEST

Tomorrow - Sun., Grand Beach Entertainment Centre.



Wed, July 28, 2004 Revolving Doors Psychedelic rock icons back to relight the fire at Summerfest in Grand Beach By rob Williams Most people thought Jim Morrison's death in 1971 was the end for The Doors. Think again, beautiful friend. Three decades later, two remaining members of the legendary quartet have relit the fire and returned as The Doors of the 21st Century, who play Saturday at Manitoba Summerfest in Grand Beach. And even though Morrison's shoes are being filled by former Cult frontman Ian Astbury, the original Lizard King is still present at every show, claims founding keyboardist Ray Manzarek. "He sort of appears on stage. If you're sensitive enough you'll get an image -- a glimpse of Jim Morrison on stage. I do," Manzarek maintains, speaking from his dressing room in Warsaw, Poland. Manzarek, Morrison, guitarist Robbie Krieger and drummer John Densmore formed The Doors in Los Angeles in 1965 and soon became one of the most popular -- and controversial -- bands in America, releasing six albums of psychedelic-tinged rock. Songs like Riders on the Storm, Light My Fire, The End, Break On Through, L.A. Woman and Hello I Love You are staples of classic rock radio. They came by their psychedelic influence honestly. The band's name came from Aldous Huxley's The Doors of Perception, a novel whose trippy subject matter reflected the band's interest in experimenting with LSD and mescaline. "LSD opens the doors of perception, and once the doors of perception are open, they stay open and you see life for what it truly is: infinite," says Manzarek, stressing he now prefers a good glass of red wine to a hit of Orange Sunshine. If only Jimbo had the same self-control. After his rampant drug use, erratic behaviour and infamous obscenity bust in Miami all but scuttled the band, the singer perished in his bathtub while living in Paris. The remaining Doors -- who put out a pair of poorly received albums after Morrison's death -- decided to reunite after doing a VH1 Storytellers special with guest vocalists like Perry Farrell, Scott Weiland, Scott Stapp and Astbury. Things haven't exactly gone smoothly. Densmore decided to sit out the reunion due to tinnitus, Manzarek says, so ex-Police drummer Stewart Copeland was hired -- and then fired, sparking a lawsuit that was settled last year. Densmore has also sued, claiming breach of contract, trademark infringement and unfair competition. And Morrison's family claim the band "maliciously misappropriated" the Doors name and logo and are using his poetry without permission. The band has also taken hits from Morrison fans, but Manzarek doesn't care about them or the lawsuits -- his concern is for fans who want to hear the music of The Doors played by the people who wrote it. "If you're in love with Jim Morrison, not The Doors, don't come. Stay home in a darkened room and light a candle and rub yourself in the private parts," he says, defending the new lineup. "Ian's great -- he's a reincarnation of Jim Morrison," claims Manzarek. "He's a psychic Jim Morrison in the deep, dark recesses of your consciousness. He's a shaman into native American spirituality, into Buddhism, a Celtic Christian, just like Jim Morrison." The Doors of the 21st Century are touring as a quintet that includes a bassist, which they never had in the old days. They are also working on music with a slate of lyricists -- X's John Doe, poet Jim Carroll and even the late great singer-songwriter Warren Zevon. "I talked to Warren two months before he left the planet and said, 'Give me some lyrics, man. We're working with poets and I want something from you.' " The band is having a great time playing to the "old stoners" and their kids, but Manzarek still misses Morrison, who would be 60 now. "I miss laughing with Jim Morrison. I miss his poetry." Here's hoping Jim's ghost puts in an appearance on Saturday. MANITOBA SUMMERFEST Tomorrow - Sun., Grand Beach Entertainment Centre.