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Prior News & Reviews

February 2005

February 25, 2005 new book on The Doors

"Wild Child In the City of Light" is the name of a new book recently published by German author Jochen Maassen. He also authored "Impressions of an Anniversary" about December 8, 1993 in Paris, and which is pictured on the following link. This book is in English, and can be ordered through the site. The author even provides a chart of shipping charges to various countries, so he makes it pretty easy. For more info, go to: http://www.wildchildinthecityoflight.fly.to/ Follow the button to read reviews.

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February 24, 2005 Sydney show review <> Ray interviews <> John story excerpt <> Ian interview <> NYC 60's club <> Italian cyclist fan <> Perth, AUS set list <> Tribaljazz "listening session" <> Ray interview with The Age <> Paul Ferrara book update <> Florida Probation & Parole correspondence

The Doors of the 21st Century played Sydney, Australia's Entertainment Center last night. A 'mixed review' appeared in this morning's Sydney Morning Herald. Sounds like the fans rushed the stage and thoroughly enjoyed the show! read it

Ray Manzarek gave an interview to The Australian earlier this month in advance of The Doors of the 21st Century tour dates in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne, currently underway. read it

Ray Manzarek was also interviewed for a preview story prior to their Sydney concert last night. read it

John Densmore authored a tribute to his mentor, Elvin Jones, which appeared in the November / December issue of Utne Magazine. A brief excerpt of that story appears on John's page on the official website: "My mentor, my main man, has finally broken on through to the other side. Elvin Jones, the polyrhythmic "jazz machine" and the motor behind John Coltrane, has crossed the tracks. He died on May 18, 2004. Elvin blazed a new path for all the rest of us timekeepers. He was the first to free up the job of clockwork, improvising continually, but never sacrificing a strong sense of pulse. He churned rhythms like an eggbeater and served up multi-meals within every four bars. With his beats perpetually on the edge, Elvin sounded like he was going to fall into his drum set, but never did." (thanks, Ken)

Ian Astbury gave a lengthy interview last week which appeared in Australia's The Age prior to the band's arrival in Australia for their four shows, currently underway. read it

Music of The Doors is heavily featured in the show at a new nightclub show called '1966' on Saturday nights at The Flamingo on West 21st Street in New York City. '1966' is meant to re-create the sexy, sweaty scene at a Sunset Strip rock club during the swinging '60s. read more

Italian cyclist Damiano Cunego is a huge fan of The Doors and will look to them for inspiration when he defends his title in the Tour of Italy on May 7th: "ROME: Italian cyclist Damiano Cunego will call upon the spirit of dead rock star Jim Morrison to help him in his bid to defend his Tour of Italy title later this year. The 23-year-old is a huge fan of Morrison’s legendary 1960s rock band The Doors and believes the music of the American group can play a pivotal role when the 88th edition of the race gets underway on May 7. “I can only say that on paper I like this Giro, but I will need to go and have a look at it to get a better idea,” said Cunego. “It seems to me like the tour will suit the climbers, but we’ll see. “As usual, there will be Jim Morrison with his ‘Light my Fire’ on my headphones, but not only that one as there are many of his songs that I like.” The route for the Giro was unveiled by organisers in Milan on Saturday. The 3,465.65 kilometre event, which consists of 20 stages, begins with the prologue down south in Reggio Calabria on May 7 and ends in the northern city of Milan on May 29. The Giro offers a diverse mix of conditions, including 10 flat stages, five mountain climbs and two individual time trials besides the opening day prologue. On May 15, the race pays homage to the late Gino Bartali, one of the all-time greats of Italian cycling, who died on the eve of the 2000 Giro. A 41.5 km time trial starting at Lamporecchio will finish in Bartali’s hometown of Florence. The riders have two rest days, on the 17th and 24th of May. American six-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong is almost certain to skip the event."

The Doors of the 21st Century's first Australian show was last Saturday night in Perth. With thanks to www.raymanzarek.com, the set list from that show kicks off the 2005 Set Lists page on this site ... hopefully, the first of a very long page filled with 2005 shows. (thanks, Dave) set lists

John Densmore's Tribaljazz project is set to release its first recording in June 2005 on Hidden Beach Records. For an "advance listening session" go to: http://www.tribaljazzband.com/

A Ray Manzarek interview with The Age appeared today, as prelude to Saturday's show in Melbourne, Australia. read it

Paul Ferrara is working on an autobiography, as reported on this site in late November. Paul advises that he is now almost done with the first draft. Don't forget that last year, he and his ex-wife released The Paul & Georgia Album, which features Ray, Robby, & John on two of the tracks and is still generating interest. More interesting facts about Paul's band involvement can be read on the same website where the CD can also be purchased: www.cdbaby.com

I visited Cleveland's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum in June 2003 while in town to see The Doors of the 21st Century, and wrote a re-cap about the Jim Morrison exhibit and the artifacts provided by the Morrison family. Correspondence between Florida's Probation & Parole Commission District Office and Rear Admiral Morrison, Jim's father, was included in the exhibit, but photography was not allowed. A friend has just provided me the complete text of those two letters, which I am happy to add as a link to the earlier write-up. (thanks, Fred) Jim R&R HofF exhibit Florida & Morrison correspondence

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February 23, 2005 new Doors tribute CD <> interview with author of forthcoming book

The String Tribute To The Doors is a new release scheduled for April 19th from www.vitaminrecords.com with twelve songs performed with violins, viola and cello. For a track listing and to hear samples of three songs, go here

Author Mark Opsasnick of Virginia is working on a new book about Jim Morrison's time spent in Alexandria, Virginia. "The Lizard King Was Here: The Life and Times of Jim Morrison in Alexandria, Virginia." has an expected publishing date of early next year. The author was featured in a recent interview, where he discusses the focus of this book and his resources. (thanks, Mark & Richard) read it

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February 22, 2005 Off The Record with John <> D21C "on the road" in Australia <> new covers of Doors songs <> Ray cameo in movie <> John & Reza release is out <> Paris apartment

John Densmore in a brand new conversation with Joe Benson, along with music of The Doors, will be featured on the nationally syndicated radio program Off The Record. For stations around the country who broadcast the show, go to http://unclejoe.com/onair/OTR.htm (listed down the far right.)

The Doors of the 21st Century are Down Under in Australia doing four shows, followed by a stop in Honolulu on the way back to L.A. The D21C Webmaster has provided his usual travelogue of the tour so far. To read it, go to: http://robbykrieger.com/doors/xontheroad20.htm

Two new albums will feature covers of Doors songs, according to the March 2005 issue of ICE Magazine (cover: Lucinda Williams). Joe Perry covers "Crystal Ship" on his fourth solo album due May 3rd from Columbia. A cover of "People Are Strange" will appear on comedian Lea DeLaria's second singing album entitled "Double Standards" due out February 22nd from Telarc.

Ray Manzarek makes a cameo appearance in a forthcoming movie entitled 2001 Maniacs starring Robert Englund of Nightmare On Elm Street Fame. Other cameo appearances include John Landis, Ted Nugent, and Paul Stanley. read more

John Densmore's Hen House Studios released 'Ray Of The Wine' from Persian-American musician Reza Derakshani on February 1st. According to the story, Reza and John plan to gig in Los Angeles in the spring, with the distinct possibility of touring behind 'Ray of the Wine.' read more

A furnished apartment on the second floor at 17 Rue Beautreillis in Paris (but, not Jim & Pam's apartment) has been advertised for rental by week or month. (thanks, Fred) go to: http://www.regencyintapts.com/paris/Properties/GAP/ruebeautreillis/ruebeautreillis.htm

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