Prior News & Reviews
July - December 2008
December
28, 2008 Robby and Particle <> Ray &
Robby in Napa <> Robby guitar auction <> film director's blog
Robby Krieger joined jam band Particle last night at the Key Club in
Hollywood for four songs during the first set. When Robby stepped up to
the mic, he related how the venue was Gazzarri's back in the day, and explained
that there were two stages then and indicated their locations. (More
recently this club was called Billboard Live for a few years before becoming
Key Club). Particle started off with two songs that lasted approximately
25 minutes and then Robby was introduced. Together they played Roadhouse
Blues, Light My Fire, Riders On The Storm, and L.A. Woman. Evan Marshall
of the Evan
Marshall Band handled the vocals on Riders On The Storm.
The other three songs were sung by Adam Iscove, who also did the singing back
in March of this year when Robby played several full shows with Particle, and
the set lists were Doors-heavy and Particle-light (those were great shows!).
Robby left after his songs were finished, and so did Beverly and I.
Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger will be doing a special performance at the Napa Valley Opera House on Saturday, March 21st. This is not listed on the venue website yet at: http://www.nvoh.org/ but tickets are on-sale when you click on the link to buy on-line. I'm not sure what type of program this will be; maybe they will be sharing the stage with an orchestra. Regardless, it sounds cool and different, and I probably have to be there myself! When I learn more about the show, I'll be sharing the news.
A Robby Krieger owned and played black Fender Stratocaster will be auctioned through Julien's on February 6th as part of the 51st Annual Grammy Awards Live Charity Auction benefiting MusicCares. It is estimated to sell for $2,000. to $3,000. To learn more about this auction item #55, go to: http://www.auctionnetwork.com/UpcomingItem.asp?EventId=30340&ShowId=343
Tom DiCillo, Director of 'When
You're Strange', posted another blog about this film that we are all
breathlessly awaiting the debut of. This entry #53, titled 'Mojo Risin',
gives insight about how he conceptualized the project, the meetings he had, the
use of HWY outtakes, and much more. Be sure to check it out at: http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/ and if you haven't already, also read
blog #52 titled 'The Doors.'
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December
23, 2008 Sundance ad <> Doors contest
<> Robby and Camp Freddy <> Robby art for sale <> Morrison
doll
Check out the Sundance Film Festival page on 'When You're Strange'
at: http://festival.sundance.org/2009/film_events/films/when_youre_strange
JamsBio is having a promotion featuring The Doors. All you have to do is list your top 5 favorite Doors songs, and you'll have a chance to win a limited edition vinyl box set that includes all 6 studio albums. The website for that promotion is: http://jamsbio.com/lists/browse/best-songs-by-the-doors In addition, JamsBio has a page called Fandemonium: 13 Great Fan Resources for The Doors ... and I'm pleased as punch to be listed there and described very favorably! There are many other very excellent sites listed as well, so check out that page at: http://blog.jamsbio.com/?p=2651
Robby Krieger was one of the guest performers back in late May when Camp Freddy played a month-long residency at the Roxy on the Sunset Strip. He and Camp Freddy were joined onstage by Train frontman Pat Monahan, and they did a rousing rendition of Led Zep's 'Whole Lotta Love.' Check that out on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZucQG4txb0o
Robby Krieger artwork is available through Gallery of Stars in New Hope, PA. Check it out at: http://www.imagemakersart.com/artists.php?name=Robby Krieger
Another Morrison doll has been
created by a 'mild mannered copy editor' living in North Carolina. To
see it, go to: http://www.dollsbymaria.com/Morrison.html
(thanks, Paula)
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December
22, 2008 Robby with Particle <> When You're
Strange poster <> Robbie Freeman photos
Robby Krieger will be performing with Particle this Saturday night,
December 27th, at the Key Club
in Hollywood. Tickets are available at: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0900415193983E08?artistid=829663&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1
Check out the poster for the forthcoming film documentary, 'When You're Strange' go here (thanks, Gilles)
Jim Morrison was photographed by
fellow UCLA student Robbie Freeman during the summer of '65. I had a
chance to view the entire set of photos many years ago at a gallery exhibit in
Hollywood and purchased four signed prints. The following website link is
out of date as far as the exhibit that is referenced, but some of the photos
and a re-cap of the photography circumstances can be found at: http://www.aceross.com/morrison.htm
(thanks, Gilles)
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December
18, 2008 When You're Strange in Billboard
<> Robby makes another 'list' <> biography honored
'When You're Strange' got a nice write-up in today's
Billboard.com. Rhino will release a soundtrack to the film next
summer. To read the full text of the Billboard story, go here (thanks,
George)
Robby Krieger has made it onto a list titled 'The Chop Shop's Top 100 Most Complete Guitar Players of All Time.' A panel of music industry experts helped to choose the list of 100 of the most revered guitar players crossing multiple genres. Each guitarist was graded in nine areas including technical ability, influence on the music industry, songwriting, signature sound, longevity, and four other categories. Robby tied for #41 with Tom Scholz of Boston. To see the story and the list of 100, go to: http://www.chopshopradio.com/
'Contigo Torno-me Real' by author
Rui Pedro Silva received an 'Honorable Mention' award at the London Book Festival.
Although this book is available only in Portuguese at this time, there will be
an English version sometime in 2009. I'll let you know when that is
available. If anyone is interested in ordering this book in Portuguese,
try contacting the publisher at: producao@edicoesafrontamento.pt
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December
15, 2008 Tribaljazz NOT performing <>
Matrix controversy
John Densmore and Tribaljazz will NOT perform at this year's
"L.A. Holiday Celebration 2008" as I reported a few days ago.
When I wrote the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for more info, I was informed that
the broadcast on Wednesday night is a re-run of a portion of last year's event,
and that Tribaljazz is not performing this year. That being said, the
one-hour re-run is scheduled for broadcast locally on L.A. PBS channel 28 at
10:00 p.m. and will be repeated numerous times. For broadcast schedule,
go to: http://www.weta.org/tv/programsatoz/program/67761
'The Doors Live at the Matrix 1967' double-CD is the latest vintage Doors show which has
long been available on bootleg and is now an official release from Rhino.
This CD set has been awash in controversy over the generation of tapes that
were used. Read about this debate at: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/66222-the-doors-live-at-the-matrix-1967/
(thanks, Stuart) For
more info or to order the 2-CD set, go to: http://thedoors.shop.musictoday.com/Dept.aspx?cp=1127_14636
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December
14, 2008 Robby & Alice <> review of
show
Robby Krieger played in Phoenix last night at the Alice Cooper Xmas
Pudding show, which is an annual charity concert that benefits Solid Rock and
Arizona's youth. According to a post on the Les Paul website, Robby
played Riders On The Storm, Love Me Two Times, and Roadhouse Blues, with Alice
handling the Morrison vocals. Read the full post at: http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/cellar/26274-2008-alice-cooper-christmas-pudding-concert.html
I wonder if Robby and Alice manage to get in some golf time together
this weekend!
AZCentral.com ran a re-cap of last
night's Alice Cooper annual Xmas Pudding show, which featured Robby as one of
the guests. Read it at: http://www.azcentral.com/ent/music/articles/2008/12/14/20081214alicecooperreview.html
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December
12, 2008 Tribaljazz on t.v. <> 'From The
Vault'
John Densmore and Tribaljazz kick off this year's "L.A. Holiday
Celebration 2008" on Wednesday, December 17th. The t.v. special highlights
the largest multi-cultural show in the country, performed before an audience of
9,000+ in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown Los Angeles. The
one-hour show is scheduled for broadcast locally on L.A. PBS channel 28 at
10:00 p.m. and will be repeated numerous times. For broadcast schedule,
go to: http://www.weta.org/tv/programsatoz/program/67761.
There is also a 6-hour extravaganza on Wednesday, December 24th that is the primary
show ... I don't know (yet) if Tribaljazz will also perform on that one: http://www.lacountyarts.org/holiday.html
'From The Vault' is a syndicated
radio program from the Pacifica Radio Archives. This week's show
focuses on Jim Morrison, and features conversations with Ray Manzarek and Robby
Krieger, and the late Paul Rothchild. If you cannot get this program on a
local station, there is a link to purchase a copy. Read all about it at:
http://fromthevaultradio.org/home/2008/12/05/ftv-135-jim-morrison-poet/
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December
10, 2008 John archived interview <> The
Blue Lady news <> Live In Europe on t.v. <> 'Jim Morrison Bus Tour'
John Densmore did a radio interview the morning of December 8th on
L.A. radio station KPFK. The interview is archived on John's
website at: http://www.johndensmore.com/johnkpfk.mp3
The Blue Lady is making news again. This time, a story at MustangMonthly.com names Jim's 1967 GT500 in its list of "Top Ten Dream Mustangs." The story says that the Blue Lady's DMV information has recently surfaced and the Shelby American Automobile Club has the correct VIN. If you own the Blue Lady, you are asked to contact the Shelby American Automobile Club at www.saac.com .... read the column at: http://www.mustangmonthly.com/featuredvehicles/mump_0107_top_10_dream_mustangs/index.html
'The Doors Live In Europe 1968' has been shown on public television station KCET several times recently as part of their annual fundraising, and I understand that Robby was on the air last Saturday night during the pledge breaks. The show will be broadcast again this Saturday night at 10:30 p.m.
On that same website for KCET I found a page where tickets can be purchased for
$175. a pair for 'The Doors: Jim Morrison Bus Tour,' a one-hour Hollywood
Fantasy Tour on a double-decker bus. The tour will visit the Whisky a Go
Go, Barney's Beanery and other scenic locations on Saturday, January 31, 2009
and Saturday, February 7, 2009 between 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. (Expensive?
You bet ... but it's part of the public station's fundraising). to see
this for yourself, go to: https://secure2.convio.net/kcet/site/Ecommerce?store_id=2261&VIEW_DEFAULT=true&FOLDER=0&TYPE=&NAME=doors&JServSessionIdr005=00surkigp1.app23a
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December
10, 2008 Ray and Robby interview <> story
about Jim's birthday party <> Barney's webcast <> Doors site
re-done
Here is a link to an interview with Ray and Robby that apparently
was conducted just prior to their arrival at Barney's Beanery on Monday night
for the party and celebration: http://www.losanjealous.com/2008/12/10/exclusive-a-chat-with-the-doors-and-a-stroll-to-barneys-beanery-on-jim-morrisons-65th-birthday/#more-11625
And here is another link to more perspective on the Barney's Beanery gala on Monday night! http://www.losanjealous.com/2008/12/10/jim-morrisons-65th-birthday-party-presented-by-klos-955-fm-and-featuring-robby-kreiger-and-ray-manzarek-of-the-doors-barneys-beanery-december-8-2008/
Watch the webcast from Barney's Beanery at these links: http://955klos.com/Article.asp?id=1045026&spid=29006 and http://www.stickam.com/viewMedia.do;jsessionid=8B6EE6292F72394EDDC5F5010A0F9513?mId=181939724 (thanks, Gene)
The official website of The Doors has
undergone a re-design recently. Check it out at: www.thedoors.com
============================================================
December
9, 2008 Barney's Beanery event
The Doors and KLOS sure know how to throw a party! Last
night's celebration of Jim Morrison's 65th birthday at Barney's Beanery was
open to fans who won tickets through 95.5 KLOS and invited
guests. There was a huge searchlight out front lighting up the night
sky and showing the way to Barney's! When I arrived shortly after 8 p.m.,
it was already well underway and Barney's looked like it could be close to
capacity. Robby and Ray had arrived just a few minutes before me ... they
were being mobbed by fans in the parking lot adjacent to Barney's as I was
trying to pull in to park, so I had to circle the block before I could drive in
there. Once inside, it was indeed one big happy gathering.
Naturally, the sound system was playing the new Matrix CD set, and the closed
circuit t.v. screens were showing images of Jim and the band. The food
and the drink were all 'on the house' ... after all, it was a party! I
spotted photographer Henry Diltz walking through the crowd. Riders On The
Storm tour manager Marco Moir, bassist Phil Chen and drum tech Owen Goldman
were all in attendance ... and Owen shared with me that he plays on the
forthcoming Robby solo CD that I mentioned last week. I spotted a
merchandise table that I forgot to return to later to check out, but I did see
the Matrix CDs, the 'Jim Morrison Scrapbook' by Rock Hall VP Jim Henke, and
samples of several of the Converse Doors shoes. Ray and Robby posed in
front of the humongous 3-section sheet cake decorated with The Doors logo, L.A.
Woman lyrics, and Happy Birthday Jim ... Ray made the first cut in the cake,
joined by Robby ... at one point they were both holding big messy chunks of
cake, and a few people started encouraging them to feed each other the
cake! That did not happen. After the cake cutting and photos, they
moved over to the bar area where they both spoke (but I could not hear!).
There was a gold plaque in a stand on the bar, visible in one of the photos I
took. I meant to return later to take a photo, but forgot! However,
I know that the plaque reads: "Here Sat Jim Morrison - Poet,
Artist, Legend." Ray and Robby then adjourned to the room on the
other side where Jim Ladd would be broadcasting live. The booths and
tables had been removed so there was plenty of standing room in front of the
dais that the three of them sat on. Jim interviewed Ray and Robby between
songs, but unfortunately, it simply could not be heard in the room where I
was. There was lots of singing along coming from that room and it looked
like everybody was having a great time. Ray and Robby both made their
exits about 11:30 p.m. By then the crowd inside had thinned and fans who
had been standing outside were allowed in. When I left at about 12:30
a.m. the party was still going on, there were quite a few people inside
Barney's. There are 8 photos from last night that can be viewed here. If anyone
can find a link to the webcast or other photos, please send it along.
============================================================
December
8, 2008 Jim at 65 <> German story <>
webcast & radio interview reminders <> Kerry interview <> Jim's
grave on 60th
Jim Morrison would have been 65 years old today. Instead, he
died young and stayed pretty. BBC News on-line has a story in which
researchers from St. Andrews University used 'ageing' software to reproduce the
natural effects of aging to attempt to reveal what Jim would look like at the
age of 65. To read the story and see the results of their efforts, go to:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7771171.stm
If you read German or want to use a translator website to help you get through it, here is a story that appears to be about Jim and Paris: http://www.merkur.de/2008_49_Ein_Amerikaner_an.31565.0.html?&no_cache=1 (thanks, Jochen)
Don't forget tonight's webcast with Robby and Ray from Barney's Beanery on DJ Jim Ladd's radio show on KLOS 95.5 ... watch by logging on to 955klos.com as well as John's radio interview this morning, in about 35 minutes at: http://www.johndensmore.com/denschat.html
Catch another radio interview to commemorate this date later today when Kerry Humpherys of DCM (Doors Collectors Magazine) chats about Jim Morrison on-line at Big Blend Magazine between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. PST. Check it out at: http://www.bigblendmagazine.com/Rants-Raves-Rock-N-Roll/Dec8-08.htm
Ray and Robby, along with Ian
Astbury, Ty Dennis, and Phil Chen, visited Jim Morrison's grave in 2003 on
Jim's 60th birthday. I was somewhere in that crowd! The Doors of
the 21st Century were on a tour of Europe, and would go on to play an
unannounced show at a small club called Le Scene later that night, followed by
a huge sold-out show the next night at Le Zenith. An exclusive video of
the band members at Jim's grave is available on YouTube for just a few
days. View it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6bxopJo8AY (thanks, Art)
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December
7, 2008 Barney's Beanery event <> Whisky
co-founder R.I.P.
The celebration of Jim Morrison's 65th birthday at Barney's
Beanery on Monday night, December 8th is open to fans who win tickets through
95.5 KLOS. DJ Jim Ladd will be broadcasting this exclusive
"Night With The Doors" live from 8:00 p.m. to midnight.
The last information I have on this is that the webcast will run from 10pm to
midnight ... but don't take my word for it because things change ... so, maybe
plug in earlier than 10pm just to confirm the start time. Unless you are
a winner who is assured of getting into this event (or planning to show up
anyway and try your luck!), be sure to watch by logging on to 955klos.com
Elmer Valentine, co-founder of the Whisky
a Go Go on the fabulous Sunset Strip, has passed away at the age of 85.
Every Doors fan knows the history of 'our band' as it relates to the
Whisky. To read the obit in today's Sunday LA Times, go to: http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-valentine7-2008dec07,0,3236736.story
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December
5, 2008 John to be special guest <> tour
the concert program <> vintage TV sketch
John Densmore will be a special guest with Ruben Guevara on December
10th at Eastside Luv in Los Angeles. For more info, read the write-up in
the L.A. Weekly: http://www.laweekly.com/events/ruben-guevara-398647/
The one and only concert program ever created for sale at The Doors concerts was photographed and created by Paul Ferrara. It is indeed a rare item, highly coveted among collectors. If you have never had the opportunity or the $$$ to get one for yourself, take a look at this film that Paul put together ... it takes you through the entire concert program, page by page. Check it out at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M51P_rZROxw&feature=email
There is a clip on YouTube
of an amusing old 'Kids In The Hall' sketch titled 'Into The Doors.' For
a chuckle, check it out at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xillqqt0Y0
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December
3, 2008 Doors docu goes to Sundance <> John
interview on December 8th <> Barney's Beanery event
"When You're Strange", the long-awaited forthcoming
documentary, is an Official Selection of The Sundance Festival. It will
be in the main documentary competition and will have its world premiere there
on January 17th! The overall Sundance line-up presents 118 feature-length
films which were chosen from 3,661 submissions! There has also been an
official invitation from the Berlin Film Festival in February. The film's
director, Tom DiCillo, discusses the film at length in a blog posted today on
his website. Check it out at: http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
John Densmore's website will host a 'listening gathering' for John's radio interview on KPFK 90.7 on Monday, December 8th, the day that would have been Jim Morrison's 65th birthday. A chat room for fans will open up at http://www.johndensmore.com/denschat.html at 10:30 a.m. PST. You will need to refresh the page at that time, and John's interview will begin at 11:00 a.m. The audio will be streamed live at that site. Listeners do not need to participate in the chat, and can simply listen to the show.
The only way to join in the celebration
of Jim Morrison's 65th birthday at Barney's Beanery on Monday night, December
8th is by winning tickets through 95.5 KLOS Monday through Friday. DJ Jim
Ladd will be webcasting this exclusive "Night With The Doors" live
from 8:00 p.m. to midnight, so if you are not a winner be sure to watch by
logging on to 955klos.com
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December
2, 2008 Jim's father R.I.P. <> Robby solo
CD coming <> Doors documentary titled <> LMF poster sold <>
Rolling Stone 'Matrix' review
Rear Admiral George "Steve" Morrison passed away of natural
causes on November 17th at the age of 89. A
private memorial service was held last Wednesday at Fort Rosecrans National
Cemetery. Jim Morrison's father was buried at sea when the family sailed
to a designated location off Point Loma and dropped his ashes into the ocean at
the same spot where Jim's mother Clara was dropped almost three years
earlier. Sincere condolences go out to the entire Morrison family on the
loss of their patriarch. To read the full story that appeared in a San
Diego publication, go here
Robby Krieger plans to release a solo album early next year, according to a small story I found on-line. It goes on to say the CD will be mostly instrumental and heavily influenced by Spanish flamenco guitar, and that Little Feat's Richie Hayward plays most of the drums. The targeted time frame for the release is late January or early February. Read it at: http://tleewaor.blogspot.com/2008/12/tuesday-rock-roundup.html
"When You're Strange" is the title of the forthcoming Doors documentary. I like this title because it's a song line that has not already been used elsewhere!
A rare "Light My Fire" Jim Morrison poster created by Paul Ferrara went on sale through Christies Auction House, New York City, on November 24th and was expected to fetch between $2,000 to $3,000. The poster sold for $2,250. including buyer's premium. You can still get one for yourself through DCM at www.doors.com, where Kerry is selling a few that were obtained directly from and are individually signed by Paul Ferrara himself! Go to: http://www.doors.com/door_mem/posters/. I could not find auction results for Lot #293, a Jim Morrison hand-written poem titled "Cheyenne" which was estimated to fetch $4,000. to $6,000., so I presume it did not find a buyer.
A few weeks ago I mentioned that Rolling
Stone had printed a full page review of the latest release, "The Doors
Live At the Matrix" 2-CD set. The text of that review by David
Fricke follows:
The Doors were still a club band in the late winter and spring of 1967 —
not yet stars, not quite spectacle, reliant on blues and R&B covers to get
through a whole evening on the bandstand. Stuck in a long limbo between the
January release of their debut album, The Doors, and the summertime explosion
of their second single, "Light My Fire," the group played discothèques
in Los Angeles and New York and, during a legendary engagement that March, more
than a dozen sets over five nights at the Matrix, a tiny seated club in San
Francisco. This two-CD set is the first official release of the widely
bootlegged tapes made there, and barring the discovery of previously unknown
reels from the band's 1966 learning curve on the Sunset Strip, the two dozen
rough but vivid tracks on Live at the Matrix are the closest we will get to
hearing the live Doors in their early heated maturity, before singer Jim
Morrison's addiction to abandon turned their arena shows into hit-and-miss
theater.
Even with a year's gigging and that perfect first album behind them, Morrison,
organist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore seem
at times like a band in transition, not yet done working out the kinks in their
interplay. "Light My Fire" opens like a wet match, in low bossa-nova
gear — Manzarek's famous intro lick doesn't show up until after the first
verse. But more often, the Doors sound sure of their gifts — they perform half
of their next LP, Strange Days — and stretch out with a unique, muscular
cohesion, despite the lack of a conventional bassist. Densmore's military snap,
Krieger's metallic-sinew sustain and Manzarek's meaty, rolling-Bach surge in
the midsection of "Soul Kitchen" and the long climax of
"Moonlight Drive" are punchy psychedelic funk. After Morrison
improvises new lines midway through "The End" ("Can you stand by
and watch the pictures burn...."), the band swerves in kind, with a brief,
jolting shift in the tense raga flow.
There is an unusual restraint in Morrison's vocals, a concentration rare on
later live recordings, as if he didn't have enough room to perform at the
Matrix. But he was never better, onstage or on record, than when he was in
control of his impulses, and Morrison directs his eruptions in the dark march
of "The Crystal Ship," the hellbent charge of "My Eyes Have Seen
You" and the pure lust of Them's "Gloria" with a feral will and
melodic clarity. The sparse, polite applause on these recordings suggests the
Doors were not, in March 1967, the hottest thing in town. Everything else shows
why that would change — soon.
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November
23, 2008 Jim on chopper <> going off-line
Doors fan David Wyatt had Jim Morrison's image airbrushed on the
tank of his chopper, shortly after getting Ray, Robby and Brett to sign the
back. Check out the photos here and
here.
Happy Thanksgiving! There will be no
further news updates until early December.
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November
20, 2008 homage to The Doors <> Nicole
Atkins cover
'Riders On The Storm' gets the homage treatment from Sweden's
political garage rockers (International) Noise Conspiracy. Their
4th CD called 'Cross Of My Calling' which is due out next week, was even
recorded at Sunset Sound. The organ solo on 'Child Of God' is the
homage. As a matter of fact, several other songs on it are also in a
Doors vein. Check it out for yourself at: http://www.myspace.com/internationalnoiseconspiracy
(thanks, George)
New Jersey-born (yeah!) singer
Nicole Atkins covers 'Crystal Ship' on her EP titled "Digs Other
People's Songs". It's available through i-Tunes. To learn more
about this Jersey girl, read recent story at: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/07/uncovering-nicole-atkins/
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November
19, 2008 Barney's Beanery event <>
Matrix '67 review <> Robby in DVD <> Rolling Stone 'list' <>
Rolling Stone review
Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek will honor what would have been Jim
Morrison's 65th birthday on December 8th with a gala celebration at L.A.
world-famous Barney's Beanery. There will be a live KLOS radio broadcast hosted by DJ Jim Ladd.
Winners of a KLOS contest will get to meet & greet Robby and Ray. There
will even be a memorial plaque to mark the place where Jim allegedly urinated
on the bar, which got him barred from the establishment. This event is
open to the public, so maybe you can even get the band's manager Jeff Jampol to
buy you a beer! I know I'm going to give that a shot. This event
also marks the November 18th release of the "Live At The Matrix 1967"
2-CD release. If you haven't yet ordered your copy of this latest
release, go to: http://thedoors.shop.musictoday.com/Dept.aspx?cp=1127_14636
To read the full press release, go here.
(thanks, George)
The San Francisco Chronicle ran a story earlier in the week about the release of The Doors 'Live At The Matrix 1967' release. To read that story, go to: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/16/DD6Q13RA0V.DTL (thanks, Julie)
Robby Krieger appears in a documentary DVD just released from Passport Video titled "Stars and Their Guitars: A History of the Electric Guitar." The DVD features interviews and behind-the-scenes segments with Robby, Slash, Peter Frampton, BB King, and others, and chronicles the history of the classic electric guitar. For more info on this, go to: http://www.dvdtown.com/news/stars-and-their-guitars-a-history-of-the-electric-guitar-on-dvd/6127
Rolling Stone Magazine's latest issue (cover: Elvis Presley) lists the '100 Greatest Singers' as voted on by a huge group of performers and music biz people, including Robby and Ray, Ian Astbury, Scott Weiland, Eric Burdon, and James Henke and Howard Kramer of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Incredibly, Jim Morrison finished way down at #47. The blurb about him reads: "The difference between Jim Morrison and Elvis Presley, Patti Smith says, 'is that Elvis had humility. I don't think Jim had it.' Still, Morrison, who was at least as influenced by Frank Sinatra as he was by Presley, was capable of surprising delicacy: On People Are Strange and Light My Fire, he lets his baritone glide, crooning just above a whisper. Otherwise, Morrison's vocals were all mood, attitude and sex -- he was grounded in roadhouse-blues hollering, but able to project the dreaminess of a mystical incantation (Riders On The Storm) or the sleaze of a boozy pickup (L.A. Woman). And on the Doors' hardest rock songs -- Break On Through (to the Other Side) stands out -- his unhinged aggression presaged punk rock. 'It was thrilling, sensual, powerful and experimental,' said Perry Farrell." Meaning no dis-R-E-S-P-E-C-T, but it was Aretha Franklin who topped the list at #1? Seriously!?!? (thanks, Chris)
That same issue of Rolling Stone features
a full-page review of The Doors Live At the Matrix 2-CD set, and gives it four
stars! The story is accompanied by a rare photo of the band with
San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge behind them. (thanks,
Chris)
============================================================
November
13, 2008 Mitch Mitchell R.I.P. <>
Converse shoes <> Jampol at industry conference <> Robby & Alice
Robby Krieger just completed playing the last five west coast dates
on the Experience Hendrix tour, and a few days later Jimi Hendrix drummer Mitch
Mitchell was found dead in his hotel room. Wow. How
great for Mitchell that he was able to finish what was, from all accounts, a
great tour!. There are stories all over the web if you want to read more about
this.
The Converse website has seven styles of The Doors shoes available for ordering on their website. Type in The Doors in the search bar to see them (or order them). Check them out at: http://www.converse.com/# (thanks, Mark)
The Doors manager Jeff Jampol is one of the speakers today at the Billboard Film & TV Music Conference in Los Angeles. He is on a panel that discusses the state of the music business and related topics. To learn more, go to: http://5acts.blogspot.com/2008/11/hollywood-reporter-and-billboard-film.html
Robby Krieger will join Alice
Cooper onstage on Saturday, December 13th at the Dodge Theater in Phoenix
at this year's Xmas Pudding benefit show. Proceeds go to support Solid
Rock and Arizona's youth. Tickets go on sale this Sunday, November 16th.
For more info, go to: http://www.sickthingsuk.co.uk/?subaction=showfull&id=1226555934&archive=
============================================================
November
3, 2008 Ray's Grammy nomination <> buy
Robby's art <> Converse Doors shoes
Ray Manzarek and slide guitarist Roy Rogers released a new
instrumental album earlier this year entitled "Ballads Before The
Rain", which includes reinterpretations of two Doors classics, namely,
Crystal Ship and Riders On The Storm. The latter is now nominated for
Best Instrumental Pop Recording for the 2009 Grammy awards.
Congratulations, Ray! For more info or to purchase the CD, go to: http://www.roy-rogers.com/discography?id=23
If you are in the Seattle area, you can catch Ray and Roy playing two shows
there in January. For more info or to purchase tickets, go to: http://www.thetripledoor.net/event.aspx?eid=3834&venue=mainstage
Robby Krieger artwork is among the items that can be found at the EHM Rock Art Show and Sale in Southampton, Long Island, New York between November 21 and 23. Admission is free and all works are available for purchase. To learn more about this event, check out the story on Hamptons.com at: http://www.hamptons.com/detail.ihtml?id=5335&apid=10899&sid=3&cid=38&hm=1&iv=0&townflag=
For another story about the
Converse series of rock & roll shoes which includes two styles honoring
The Doors, go to: http://blastmagazine.com/the-magazine/culturefashion/2008/11/the-converse-music-collection/
Another story link can be found in the October 15th news.
============================================================
November
1, 2008 John supports Obama
John Densmore has loaded a 2-minute+ video on YouTube speaking in
support of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Check it out
at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYIAatFTcSo
(thanks, David my son)
============================================================
October
31, 2008 Ray to play Seattle
Ray Manzarek and slide guitarist Roy Rogers will play two nights at The Triple Door
in Seattle on Friday and Saturday, January 9 and 10th. For more info or
to purchase tickets, go to: http://www.thetripledoor.net/event.aspx?eid=3834&venue=mainstage
(thanks, Steve and George)
============================================================
October
30, 2008 Wild Child story <>
Angelo Barbera gig
Wild Child front man Dave Brock and the band got a nice write-up in
the latest Inland Empire Weekly. Dave tells an interesting story of how
he came to front what is surely the best known and the longest running Doors
tribute band out there! Read it at: http://www.ieweekly.com/cms/story/detail/full_of_grace/1754/
(thanks, George)
Angelo Barbera was bass player for
the Robby Krieger Band followed by The Doors of the 21st Century for its first
few years. You can catch him playing with his band i-94 on Friday,
November 9th at Genghis Cohn on North Fairfax in Los Angeles. (I've seen
them a number of times, and they rock!) For more info, visit the band's
website at: http://www.i94music.com/
============================================================
October
29, 2008 Doors items in Christies
auction <> NYC's Rock Hall Annex
A rare "Light My Fire" Jim Morrison poster created by Paul Ferrara is on sale through
Christies Auction House, New York City, Sale #2063. It is Lot #292 and
expected to fetch between $2,000 to $3,000. In addition to the large
image of Jim, there is a film strip of more than a dozen additional shots down
the left side along the LMF lettering. (Paul also conceived and created
the tour program, another much-sought-after rarity.) View the auction
poster at: http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot_details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=5144896&sid=dd665ffe-90d5-4a60-b10c-f95b35aae463
However, if you are interested in bidding on this item, you might be better
served to purchase one through DCM at www.doors.com,
where Kerry is selling a few that were obtained directly from and are
individually signed by Paul Ferrara himself! To see that instead, go
to: http://www.doors.com/door_mem/posters/
and scroll down to the second item listed on that page. Also in this
Christies auction as Lot #293 is a Jim Morrison hand-written poem titled "Cheyenne"
which is estimated to fetch $4,000. to $6,000. Check it out at: http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot_details.aspx?from=searchresults&pos=3&intObjectID=5144897&sid=,dd665ffe-90d5-4a60-b10c-f95b35aae463
Sale #2063 ends on November 24th. (thanks,
David my son)
And speaking of hand written Jim
Morrison poems ... November 24th is the date that the Rock & Roll
Hall of Fame Annex opens in New York City at 76 Mercer Street. Read the
latest story at: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Soho-Calling-The-Rock-Roll/story.aspx?guid={755589BC-644F-42FA-997A-670BFA3389C2}
============================================================
October
25, 2008 Robby charity concert
<> Bobby Klein photos <> peace totem <> UK story <>
Hard Rock cafe pic <> more Hard Rock cafe <> Rock Hall induction
Robby Krieger and Friends will play a charity concert to benefit the
Pat Tillman Foundation on Sunday night, November 16th at The Canyon Club in Agoura
Hills, California, as previously reported. A story about the golf
tournament that is a part of this event appears in a story on the cybergolf.com
website. Read all about it at: http://www.cybergolf.com/golf_news/golf_tournament_to_benefit_pat_tillman_foundation
For venue information, go to: http://www.canyonclub.net/index.html
For tickets, call the club directly or go to:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0900413D87E44342?artistid=1261504&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1
Photographer Bobby Klein is selling 299 1967 photos of The Doors, along with original negatives and copyright and repro rights on eBay for $150,000. (or else an offer). Samples of these well-known photos can be seen on the eBay auction which ends later today. Check it out at eBay auction #200264178916. (thanks, Gilles)
A "peace totem" with carvings of Morrison, Lennon, Joplin and Hendrix by artist Benjamin Lucas is en route to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Lucas apparently lived (or maybe still does) in the 'Love Street' house in Laurel Canyon. It is an interesting story, complete with photos of the carving in process. Check it out at: http://peacetotem.com/index.html (thanks, sister Bobbie)
"Rock Stars Don't Always Rest In Peace" is the title of a story in Times Online. The story suggests that Jim might have preferred cremation to the commotion at his final resting place. Read it at: http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article5002900.ece
The original Hard Rock Cafe located in the bowels of downtown Los Angeles has been closed and shuttered for many years. Because of its location, it is recommended that fans do NOT seek this address out! Doors fan Ben has shared with me a recent photo which shows that the address has finally found a new life in the form of Green Apple Market ... see it at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/leavetheguntakethecannoli/2965046056/sizes/m/ There are almost 60 more of Ben's great shots of L.A. Doors landmarks on his Flickr page at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/leavetheguntakethecannoli/sets/72157604912450759/with/2340723567/ (thanks, Ben)
I decided to try to chronicle the Hard Rock Cafe's appearance over the years from available photos. Check it out here.
The Doors were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
1993 on January 12th (karmically, it was also my birthday). If you have
never seen Eddie's induction speech and the acceptance speeches by Anne
Morrison, Robby, Ray and John, then check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKiKHJmC9VQ (thanks,
Fred)
============================================================
October
20, 2008 Robby on November 6th!
Robby Krieger will be playing at the Hendrix tribute show in
Seattle on Thursday, November 6th. There was a date conflict, as he is
also listed as a participant in a charity golf tournament in Ojai, California
on that same date along with Ray, but management has confirmed for me that
Seattle has all the luck on that day! For more info, go to: http://www.theparamount.com/artists/?artist=850
============================================================
October
19, 2008 Robby in San Francisco &
Spokane & Portland
Robby Krieger is listed as one of the guest performers at the
"Experience Hendrix 2008 Tribute Tour" on Monday, November 3rd when
it plays the Nob Hill Masonic Temple in San Francisco. For more info, go
to: http://www.masonicauditorium.com/aboutus/contact.html The
next show listed is the INB Performing Arts Center (Spokane Opera House) in
Spokane, Washington on Wednesday, November 5th. For more info, go
to: http://www.inbpac.com/inbevents.php
On Friday, November 2nd, the tour stops at the Portland Center For The Performing
Arts (PCPA) in Portland, Oregon. For more info, go to:
http://www.pcpa.com/events/event.php?run=1523
These three shows are in addition to L.A.'s Greek Theatre on Sunday,
November 2nd and (possibly) Seattle on Thursday, November 6th. The 2008
Experience Hendrix Tour website at http://www.experiencehendrixtour.com/schedule.php
is my source for these tour dates. Robby is no longer listed for the
Vegas show on Saturday, November 1st.
============================================================
October
16, 2008 Robby on November 6th!
Robby Krieger is listed as one of the guest performers at the
Hendrix tribute show in Seattle on Thursday, November 6th. Confusing
though, is that Robby is also listed as a participant in a charity golf
tournament in Ojai, California on that same date, along with Ray. I will
try to get clarification on where Robby will be that day! For info on the
Hendrix show in Seattle, go to: http://www.theparamount.com/artists/?artist=850
(thanks, Brandon)
============================================================
October
15, 2008 Converse shoes <> Robby
& Ray in golf tourney <> Ray guests at NORML <> correction to
credit for Matrix download samples
The forthcoming Converse shoes honoring The Doors are revealed in a
new story today on GoFigureMag.com although there is no availability date
indicated. There are two styles shown: the high-top shows Jim only,
but I cannot quite figure out the artwork on the other: possibly, Jim
collapsed on the stage ... but are the other guys depicted? I can't tell
for certain, but I sure hope so ... The Doors are a band of four.
Check it out for yourself at: http://www.gofiguremag.com/2008/10/15/converse-debuts-its-premium-inspired-music-and-culture-collections-the-doors/
Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek will both participate in a Celebrity Golf Classic on Thursday, November 6th as a kickoff event for the 2008 Ojai Film Festival. Proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Resource Center at Community Memorial Hospital and the Ojai Film Festival. For more information, go to: http://ojaivalleynews.blogspot.com/2008/10/stars-tee-it-up-for-ojai-film-festival.html
Ray Manzarek is one of the featured guests at NORML's 37th annual national conference, "It's Not Your Parents' Prohibition' this weekend. The conference is this Friday and Saturday, October 17 and 18, at the Doubletree Hotel and Executive Meeting Center in Berkeley, California. For more information, go to: http://blog.norml.org/2008/10/13/last-chance-to-register-for-norml’s-2008-national-conference/
The links provided last week to download
the samples of "The Doors Live At The Matrix" should be
properly credited to Glenn, Jim4371, and DJ Vera from www.thefreedomman.com
(thanks, Simone)
============================================================
October 10,
2008 Robby on Planet Green show
<> download Matrix samples
Robby Krieger was one of the guest performers at the taping of
Planet Green channel's 'Battleground Earth' finale concert at L.A.'s Greek
Theatre back on May 28th. 'Battleground Earth' has been a
television series with Tommy Lee and Ludacris "going green" as they
travel around (or, something like that!). Anyway, that Greek
Theatre show FINALLY gets broadcast this Sunday evening from 6pm to 8pm on
Planet Green channel (PLGN). Watch for Robby to appear with Pat Monahan
and Train. For more info about this show finale, go to: http://www.realtelevision.net/2008/10/10/battleground-earth-finale-this-sunday/
"The Doors Live At The
Matrix" CD is scheduled for a November 25th release date and yesterday
I posted a link where you can listen to samples of the songs. If you want
to actually download the samples, go to: www.doorscollectors.com/simone/matrix7samples.zip
and www.doorscollectors.com/simone/matrix10samples.zip
(thanks, Simone)
============================================================
October
9, 2008 John missed fundraiser
<> sample the new Matrix CD <> Robby to play benefit concert
John Densmore apparently cancelled his scheduled appearance with
Hani Naser at the Oakland, California 'Oakland Rocks For Change' fundraiser for
Barack Obama back on September 16th. Read about the rest of that
program's line-up at: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/64112/oakland-rocks-for-change/
"The Doors Live At The Matrix" CD is scheduled for a November 25th release date, but you can listen to samples of the songs at this location: http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7770301 (thanks, Simone)
Robby Krieger and Friends will play
a charitable benefit for the Pat Tillman Foundation on Sunday night,
November 16th at The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, California. That's the
good news. The bad news is that ticket prices for this benefit are
$250. each (which includes hors d'oeuvres), so I hope there is someone who can
go and report back about the show! For venue information, go to: http://www.canyonclub.net/index.html
For tickets, call the club directly or go to:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0900413D87E44342?artistid=1261504&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1
============================================================
October
7, 2008 Ray at film festival <>
Jim's grave being vandalized <> 'Strange Days' story <> Doors song
on t.v. <> 2009 calendar <> R.I.P. Sebring
Ray Manzarek was scheduled
to appear along with other musicians last Friday night in Mill Valley, CA
following clips from the 1972 concert film, 'Last Days of the
Fillmore.' This event was part of the Mill Valley Film Festival.
As a result of Jim Morrison's gravesite being vandalized by fans, security guards have been employed to patrol around the clock. It has been my experience that there was always a guard when I visited, even during off-peak anniversary dates. But a recent story has popped up a few times about this, so maybe the around-the-clock patrol is new. Read the full story at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/3098803/Security-guards-patrol-Jim-Morrisons-grave-to-ward-off-vandals.html (thanks, Simone)
A story titled 'How The Doors Produced Strange Days' ran in last week's UK Sunday Times on-line. Read it at: http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article4826076.ece (thanks, Matt)
The fifth season premiere of the t.v. show 'Desperate Housewives' featured Bree's husband doing his best Jim Morrison impersonation while singing 'Break On Through' on karaoke night at a bar. That was in the background behind another scene, but the amusing thing is that it was Kyle MacLachlan, who - of course - played Ray in Oliver Stone's "The Doors" movie. (thanks, Britni)
A 2009 calendar from Shearson
titled "A Walk In Paris" features a photo of Pere-Lachaise for
February. I get Paris calendars every year but this is the first time
I've seen the cemetery included in the photos.
============================================================
September
25, 2008 Mogwai song title
"I'm Jim Morrison, I'm Dead" is the opening track on the
new Mogwai release titled 'The Hawk Is Howling.' Sheesh! I don't
even want to hear it.
============================================================
September
23, 2008 Ray on L Studio <> Ray
call-in interview <> Classic Album series on t.v.
Ray Manzarek is featured in a video on the L Studio, launched today
by Lexus. This is described as 'a new web hub for creative innovation,
featuring an eclectic mix of snazzy original web video content'! To
see Ray's video, go to: http://lstudio.lexus.com/#vid1156 There may be more than one with Ray,
but I could only find this one for starters. To learn more about this
series, go to: http://news.tubefilter.tv/2008/09/23/lisa-kudrows-web-therapy-headlines-lexus-l-studio-launch/
Ray Manzarek can be heard in a 14-minute call-in interview earlier today with DJ John DeBella on Philadelphia's 102.9 WMGK. Catch it at: http://wmgk.com/Audio/tabid/209/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1053/Ray-Manzareck-Interview.aspx
"The Doors: Classic
Albums" series is being broadcast again this Thursday on VH1 Classic
channel at 8pm (check local listings). To see the entire show, you need
to buy the DVD but you can see much of it in this hour-long show.
============================================================
September
19, 2008 Robby to play in Vegas
Robby Krieger is among the guest performers listed for the
"Experience Hendrix 2008 Tribute Tour" when it plays The Pearl at The
Palms Casino in Las Vegas on November 1st. Tickets go on sale on Saturday
at noon through Ticketmaster. For more info, go to: http://www.experiencehendrixtour.com/schedule.php
Stay tuned for more Robby dates as they get
announced, as he is supposed to play five shows on the Hendrix tour.
============================================================
September
17, 2008 Matrix release due
The Doors Music Company announced yesterday that 'Live At The Matrix
1967' shows will be released on November 18th by Rhino and Bright Midnight
Archives. This long-awaited released will be a 2-CD set.
Artist Stanley Mouse designed the cover as an original piece of poster
art. To read the full press release and track listing, go here (thanks,
George)
============================================================
September
16, 2008 John at L.A. play
John Densmore attended the opening night of 'Be Bop A Lula',
a play about Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran, at the Cat Club on the
Sunset Strip on Monday evening. The play has a run of three Monday
nights, so there are two chances left to see it, September 22 and 29.
Read the full story at: http://www.nypost.com/seven/09162008/gossip/pagesix/tales_behind_the_doors_129243.htm
============================================================
September
15, 2008 Robby with Wild Child
<> Doors on Smothers Bros. DVD <> Robby at Greek
Robby Krieger showed up as a surprise guest on Saturday night when
L.A.-based Doors tribute band Wild Child
played a two-set show at the Whisky. Doggone it, I was at a concert
elsewhere and missed this, but the report is that Robby's son Waylon joined the
band on stage first ... and then Robby! Anyone who was there and
can provide more info: please write! (thanks, Steve)
"The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour: The Best of Season 3" gets released on DVD tomorrow. Naturally, The Doors' appearance is included in the set, as well as comments from John Densmore. Read the full story at: http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/34677/smothers-brothers-comedy-hour-season-3-the/
Robby Krieger is among the guest
performers listed for the "Experience Hendrix 2008 Tribute Tour"
when it plays L.A.'s Greek Theater on Sunday, November 2nd. Other
performers include Mitch Mitchell, Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne
Shepherd, Eric Johnson and others. Tickets go on sale on September
20th. For more info, go to: http://www.nederlanderconcerts.com/events/event_info.asp?ID=1479
Stay tuned for more Robby dates as they get announced, as he is supposed to
play 'selected dates' on this tour.
============================================================
September
14, 2008 LM2X in GHWT
"Love Me Two Times" is one of the songs included in Guitar
Hero World Tour. Also in that line-up is The Cult's "Love Removal
Machine." For the full set list, read the O.C. Register rock
columnist's blog at: http://soundcheck.freedomblogging.com/2008/09/12/guitar-hero-unveils-setlist-as-rockband-2-ships/
============================================================
September
12, 2008 Ray in Fillmore DVD
Ray Manzarek is one of the guest appearances in a forthcoming
documentary DVD called "Fillmore: Last Days". Currently
scheduled for release on November 11, it gets a screening on October 3rd at the
Mill Valley Film Festival. Read the full story at: http://www.thecelebritycafe.com/features/19943.html
============================================================
September
11, 2008 Morrison Hotel <>
Classic Rock mag <> Angelo Barbera new CD
The Morrison Hotel is still standing in all its shabby, boarded-up
glory. I cruised by last night while en route to a show in downtown L.A.
and took a few pictures. It looks pretty much the same as previous photos
I have posted except that the entire street level is no longer boarded up with
plywood ... only the doors and windows still are. See latest photos here.
FINALLY I got my hands on the Classic Rock magazine with Jim on the cover and the bonus DVD ... so it has finally hit the U.S. shores! I have not had a chance to watch the DVD or read the stories, but the first album did make #6 in the list called "The 42 Essential Psychedelic Albums Of All Time". If you are looking for this (high-priced) issue, this is the cover: http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/page/classicrock?entry=the_doors_and_the_psychedelic
Angelo Barbera was bass player for The
Doors of the 21st Century for several years and before that, the Robby Krieger
Band. Since then, he has been playing with i-94. They have just
released their latest CD called "Not Only But Also". For more
info or to purchase through their website, go to: http://www.i94music.com/
============================================================
September
10, 2008 Robby plays Jimi <>
John in Oakland <> Jim in exhibition <> Soft Parade bass player
<> Classic Rock mag <> Jim biographer appearance
Robby Krieger will be playing
selected dates on the Experience Hendrix 2008 Tribute Tour. Robby was
a part of this event last year, as well. For more info, go
to: http://www.experiencehendrixtour.com/index.php
At this time, I have no idea which shows will include Robby, so please
don't write to ask. If I get that info, I'll announce it.
John Densmore with Hani Naser will be among the performers on September 16th at Oakland Rocks For Change in Oakland, California. To read more about this event, go to: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=22853
Proud Galleries in Camden, London are presenting an exhibition called 'Forever 27' through November 9th that honors -- you guessed it -- celebrities who died att the age of 27. For more information, go to: http://www.proud.co.uk/forever-27-c-114.html (thanks, Chris) For another story about the exhibition: http://www.photographypress.co.uk/news/news.phtml/6896/7920/Forever-27-exibition-ill-fated-musicians.phtml
Harvey Brooks was one of the additional musicians who played on the Soft Parade album. To check out a YouTube video of him discussing that experience, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz1E7Sy-Bzw
I'm still waiting for the special edition of Classic Rock magazine with Jim on the cover to arrive at local stores. This issue titled The Doors & The Psychedelic Revolution, contains a free DVD with interviews and extras. (thanks, Gilles and Simone). To see the cover of the mag and learn more about what this issue contains, go to: http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/page/classicrock?entry=the_doors_and_the_psychedelic
Mark Opsasnick, the author of 'The
Lizard King Was Here', will be doing his last speaking appearance of 2008 next
Thursday, September 18 at Kensington Row Bookshop in Kensington,
Maryland. For more info, go to: http://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/author.asp?authorid=5737
============================================================
September
6, 2008 Rock Hall exhibit ended
<> Perception box set re-issue <> Jim Morrison's final notebook
auction
The 'Break On Through' exhibit at Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame came to a close on Monday, September 1st. It opened Memorial Day
weekend (late May) in 2007, so it had a good long run. The Director
of Curatorial told me last week that since the exhibit opened, The Doors
Greatest Hits has been the #1 selling CD in their museum store. It
was indeed a rare honor and pleasure to have been able to contribute 40 items
from my own collection to this exhibit. Photographs are never permissible
inside the museum, but I was allowed to take many pictures on the day before
the exhibit opened when I was there for the grand opening and reception.
Now that it has been de-installed, I am able to share photos of the portion of
The Doors exhibit that featured my items. I will be working on that over
the next few days and hope to be able to upload them very soon.
The Doors Music Company is releasing the Perception box set in a new slipcase edition on September 30th. The website is accepting pre-orders, and five random pre-order customers will receive an autographed version of the box set, signed by Ray, Robby, and John. For more info or to pre-order, go to: http://thedoors.shop.musictoday.com/Dept.aspx?cp=1127_14343
Jim Morrison's "final notebook
of poetry and musings" went on auction on September 4th at the Idea
Generation Gallery in London and sold for £58,000, or approximately $82,500.
U.S. dollars. The 20-page, spiral-backed notebook contains jottings and
thoughts and some lyrics for songs and poems which may have been the last he
ever wrote. Supposedly, he gave it to a friend a few days before his
death. Its estimated value at the auction was £100,000. To read one
of the stories, go to: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/2684648/Scorched-Jimi-Hendrix-guitar-sells-for-280000.html
============================================================
August
20, 2008 Riders message to fans
<> CA Supreme Court decision <> Paul Ferrara & Doors 'remix'
<> Jim on Classic Rock cover <> Doors on 'Saving Grace'
Riders On The Storm confirmed the upcoming tour dates on their
official site last Friday, accompanied by the following statement: "To the
fans: After having performed to a record 17,000+ screaming fans at an
"absolutely free" show in Buffalo, New York, at The Molson Concert
Series, we have decided to put on a string of dates that are a little more
"paycheck friendly" given the state of our economy. Buffalo's
turnout made it pretty obvious that the fans want to hear this great
music. But with gasoline teetering at $4.00 per gallon, unemployment on
the rise, and a housing market in shambles, it can be difficult to find money
for entertainment, especially with "big tour" tickets in the $100.00
to $1000.00 range for a single stub. Every show on this tour has tickets
priced at $50.00 and below. The economy, and the rising expense of
touring a band, which has been passed on in high ticket prices, has created a
scenario where the average, hard working American can no longer afford a night
out of great live music. Hopefully, this will give those folks a chance
for some great entertainment at a reasonable price. The band appreciates
the fans that have been there over the past six years, and look forward to
performing for the faithful and new fans in years to come. Thank you, and
see you at the show! - Management"
And speaking of great live music ... today's L.A. Times carries the story that the California Supreme Court has denied the long-pending appeal that would have allowed Ray and Robby to use The Doors name as they continue to tour and perform, keeping the band's music alive for old and new fans worldwide. The story is accompanied by a photo taken by Paul Ferrara in happier times. To read the story, go here
And speaking of Paul Ferrara
... if you read his autobiography 'Flash Of
Eden', you know about some tracks that Paul and his first wife
Georgia recorded with help from Ray, Robby and John which appear on "The Paul and Georgia
Album". One of the songs called 'Hopi' was chosen to
be remixed by Ganz De Ville and Shaidon Effect, techno re-mix wizards in
Berlin, Germany. You can listen to it at: http://www.02l.net/node/182 or through Paul Ferrara's website at:
www.paulferrara.net
Jim Morrison makes the cover of
Classic Rock Magazine ... not sure what month the issue is and I have not found
it locally yet, since the issues appear in the U.S. many weeks after they hit
the stands in Europe. (thanks, Gilles)
The August 18th episode
of 'Saving Grace' on TNT mentioned Jim Morrison, The Whisky and 'The
End.' Grace and the Angel debated whether 'The End' is about the end of
life or the end of a relationship ... which I have pondered myself! I did
not see the show so I don't know what they concluded. (thanks, Christopher)
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August
15, 2008 Riders shows confirmed &
two more added <> Rock Hall annex in NYC
Riders On The Storm's U.S. tour has now been confirmed on the
Appearances page on Ray's website at: http://www.raymanzarek.us/appear.html
with a listing of the dates I have been sharing for the past week, as well
as two more shows: Rochester, NY on September 16 and Detroit, MI on
September 19. Venue links are provided in the calendar below.
A Jim Morrison handwritten poem
will be one of the memorabilia items on display at an annex to Cleveland's
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame which is set to open in November at 76 Mercer Street
in New York City. Read the stories at: http://www.nbc10.com/travelgetaways/17193196/detail.html
and http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=aUhchdn4XerM&refer=home
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Jim Morrison's "death benefits
card" went on the auction block on August 5th by Cameo auctioneers in
Reading, Berks, UK. It was expected to fetch $3,000 or more. I
followed up with Cameo and was advised the item sold for £2000, which converts
to approximately $3,808. USD.
============================================================
Riders On The Storm played a free concert last night in Lockport, New York as part of the Molson Canal Concert Series. According to an on-line story today, this was the sixth concert of the eight-concert series and Riders created the largest turn-out of any of the shows to date, a 'massive crowd'. To read the story, go to: http://www.lockportjournal.com/local/local_story_221223755.html
A soap opera called "One Life
To Live" has been doing a 40th anniversary theme for that show's 40th anniversary,
and they have gone back in time to 1968. Yesterday's show was
called 'Hello I Love You'. They used that song, said it was on the Top 40
during this week in 1968, and they played the song in its entirety! (thanks, pazin)
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August
4, 2008 Tribaljazz this weekend
John Densmore's Tribaljazz will perform this coming Saturday, August
9th at the San Jose Jazz Festival in San Jose, California, according to an on-line
story in today's Mercury News. Read it at: http://www.mercurynews.com/music/ci_10094138 For more info on the event, go to: http://www.sanjosejazz.org
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July
31, 2008 Riders free show coming up
(maybe?)
Back on June 9th I reported that Riders On The Storm are playing the
free Molson Canal Concert Series in Lockport, New York on August 8th.
That was based on a story in a Buffalo, NY publication. The band is still
listed for this concert series on that date, although there is no mention of it
on the band's official website (go figger). For more info about the
Molson Canal Concert Series, go to: http://canalconcerts.com/
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July
30, 2008 Morrison rarity auction
<> Riders On The Storm reviews <> another book <> BMA
discography
Jim Morrison's "death benefits card" is the latest unusual
rarity going on the auction block. This item is being sold by Cameo
auctioneers in Reading, Berks, UK on August 5th, and is expected to fetch 3,000
or more. To read the full story, go to: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/2474064/Jim-Morrisons-death-benefits-card-to-be-auctioned.html
Riders On The Storm performed at Sheraton's Pine Cliffs Resort in Portugal on July 18th. The Portugal News Online printed a review of the show: http://www.the-news.net/cgi-bin/google.pl?id=969-32 Another publication called Euro Weekly News also ran a review, at: http://www.euroweeklynews.com/news/9617.html
Jim Morrison is the subject of yet another book. This paperback is called 'Jim Morrison - The Poet and the Singer' by author Viktoria Sereg. The book info can be found on Amazon.com at: http://www.amazon.com/Jim-Morrison-Character-Personality-Thinking/dp/3836498502/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217485948&sr=8-1 (thanks, Gilles)
Italian fan site 'Flash Of Eden' has
started a Bright Midnight Records discography, which is in both Italian and
English and divided into three parts: US, European and promo
discographies. Check it out at: http://www.doorscollectors.com/
(thanks,
Simone)
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July
21, 2008 ROTS in Antwerp <>
Morrison's 'final notebook' auction
Riders On The Storm played Antwerp, Belgium on a rainy day, but a
fan reported that it was still a fantastic concert. Supposedly there are
four videos from that show posted at www.sterf.be
... I could only find one, but maybe I didn't try hard enough to find the
rest. (thanks, Roland)
Jim Morrison's "final notebook
of poetry and musings" is going on auction on September 4th at the
Idea Generation Gallery in London. For more information on auction, go
to: http://www.ideageneration.co.uk/generationgallery.php
and scroll down to bottom of page. Another story about this sale (main
feature is a torched Hendrix guitar) can be found at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7511295.stm
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July
13, 2008 ROTS to tour U.S.? <>
"I Remember" on DVD <> Hard Rock, LA <> ROTS Forum review
Riders On The Storm are working on a tour of the United States
(finally!) in September, according to a statement on the band's official
website.
Al Graham's biography "I Remember" about ex-brother-in-law Jim Morrison, is available on a 54-minute DVD. For more info, go to: http://www.ghostradionetwork.com/fuel/i-remember-jim-morrison-dvd/
My friend Mark braved L.A.'s skid row recently to see what the building which housed the original Hard Rock, photographed by Henry Diltz with the band for the Morrison Hotel album, is up to these days. Happily, Mark lived to tell about it and sent me a current photo of the building. It may be vacant and shuttered, but it's still standing, like the Morrison Hotel building is. see Hard Rock photo (thanks, Mark F.)
Riders On The Storm played London's
Forum on July 8th. A fan who was at the show has provided the set
list and a review (which has been edited for content and length). To read, go here (thanks, Gary)
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July
10, 2008 CD singles discography
<> Jim & D.C. coffeehouses
Italian fan site First Flash Of Eden has recently added a section
called The Doors Official CD Singles Discography. The site is available
for viewing in both Italian and English. Check it out at: http://www.doorscollectors.com/
(thanks, Simone)
Mark Opsasnick, author of “The Lizard King Was Here: The Life and Times of Jim Morrison”
recently had an article published in the current issue of Beltway Poetry
Quarterly (Volume 9, No. 3, Summer 2008). The article entitled
"Coffee, Confusion and Jim Morrison: The Forgotten History of Hip
Coffee Houses and Beatnik Poets In the Nation's Capitol" can be read at
this link:
http://washingtonart.com/beltway/opsasnik.html (thanks, Mark)
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July
2, 2008 Planet Rock radio <>
'Love Story' <> Jim's grave in mag
July is "Doors month" on the UK's Planet Rock, as notified
earlier today by Strange Days Newsletter. There will be exclusive
on-air interviews with Robby and Ray, reminisces from Alice Cooper, and
contests to win memorabilia. Kerry was kind enough to include various
time zones for the broadcasts, so those are reflected below in the
calendar. Missed broadcasts can be heard for a week after each program's
original air date. To get to Planet Rock's 'The Doors MiniSite', go
to: http://www.planetrock.co.uk/sectional.asp?id=26690
To read a brief story about this program that I got last week, go to: http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1034695&c=1
I got to see 'Love Story', the forthcoming DVD about Arthur Lee and Love, when it was screened on Sunday as part of the L.A. Film Festival. Besides being a a poignant and bittersweet film with vintage clips and plenty of interviews with Arthur and the other band members, it also featured lots and lots of interview segments with John Densmore, Jac Holzman and Bruce Botnick. The DVD's release date is July 29th.
'Westways' is a periodical put out
by AAA (Automobile Association of America). It typically features
several photos taken by subscribers who took their issue with them on vacation
and got a photo taken of the issue along with some landmark. The issues
are very specific to the subscriber's area of residency. The latest
issue sent to the San Diego area includes a photo of the magazine at Jim's
grave in Paris. see photo
(thanks, Steve)
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