March 31, 2007     more Riders on the Storm tour dates <> Joel Brodsky on YouTube <> Walk of Fame video on YouTube <> Robby on BBC Scotland <> Robby on Dutch radio <> Robby and Ray on Dutch TV <> Ray in Paris <> Doors item on charity auction <> fan poetry reading in Paris
Riders On The Storm have announced additional tour dates.  May 18 and 19 will find them in NYC and Norfolk, Virginia, respectively.  They will play Barrowlands in Glasgow, Scotland on June 15, and Guildhall in Southampton, England on June 19.  More dates will be announced.  See calendar below for the full itinerary so far.

Doors photographer Joel Brodsky did a slide-show presentation at Henry Diltz's Morrison Hotel Gallery in SoHo, NYC last July 21st.   He can be seen in an 8-1/2 minute video on YouTube at that Morrison Hotel Gallery appearance.  Unfortunately, Mr. Brodsky died just a month ago on March 1st.  Remember:  carpe diem!   To watch that video, go to:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5nTArjDdQM   (thanks, Gilles)   As an added reminder, Joel Brodsky's photographs of Jim Morrison and The Doors will be presented in an exposition by Snap Galleries of Birmingham, England.  The exhibit runs from April 21 to July 3rd.  For more information, go to:  http://www.snapgalleries.com/exhibitionsfuture.html  

The Doors got their star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame a month ago on February 28th.  Sure, that's old news, but a fan has sent me the link to a 17:24 video of the ceremony on YouTube.   This is the longest video I have seen so far of the event, and you can see how downright ebullient Robby was, in particular.  Check it out at:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqG8H5asL90   (thanks, Gene)

Robby Krieger was on BBC Scotland today on the Janice Forsyth Show discussing the 40th anniversary.  I am afraid it may already be over; however, there is a link that allows listeners to replay the broadcasts at:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/radioscotland/view/show.shtml?listen_again   (thanks, Frank)

Robby Krieger was interviewed on Dutch radio station 3FM last Wednesday in a show called “Arbeidsvitaminen” (in English: working vitamins) about The Doors and the new box set that recently came out.  The Robby interview starts at 2 hours, 12 minutes and 50 seconds into the show. You only have to forward it to that time in Windows Media Player.  The show is in Dutch, but the interview is totally in English without someone translating in between questions and answers.  The link is: http://cgi.omroep.nl/cgi-bin/streams?/radio3/avro/avroarbeidsvitaminen/woensdag-09.wma   The interview lasts around 5 minutes and is followed by Light My Fire.   The fan who sent it does not know how long the show will be available online, but he thinks it will for about a week at least.  The interview follows the current hit by the Scissor Sisters.  (thanks, Joey)

Robby and Ray both appeared on a Dutch television show on Friday, March 23rd.   An interview clip can be found on this link:  http://dewerelddraaitdoor.vara.nl/nieuws_media.php?id=701  (thanks, Mark)

Ray Manzarek did a signing appearance on March 21st at Fnac in Paris.  A fan has sent along a few photos from the event.  go here  (thanks, Michel)

The Doors are participating in an auction through Julien's Auctions which will benefit Music Cares.  The auction ends on April 21st.   To see the item, go to:   http://cgi.liveauctions.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3AEF%3AUS%3A2&viewitem=&item=250097596838  (thanks, Jodi)

"Tribute In Motion" fan poetry readings paying tribute to Jim Morrison will take place in Paris on July 3 and July 4.  For more info, go to:   http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=100835384&blogID=219241053&MyToken=953888a8-08a4-49a2-9c94-3d7254f9923e   (thanks, Stuart)

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March 30, 2007     Doors studio album releases <> Rock & Roll Hall Museum exhibit <> Patti does The Doors <> Jim on French mag cover <> Adam Freeland remix <> Fairport Convention did The Doors
All of The Doors' studio albums, remixed and expanded with rarities and outtakes, are now available individually as single-disc releases and as digital downloads.   For all the details, read the press release  (thanks, Simone)

The Doors exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland was going to be a year-long exhibit when it opens in a few months, on May 25th.  It looks like the time frame of the exhibit has been condensed.  According to the write-up on the museum's website, the exhibit will end on October 7th.  So ... if you were planning to visit over Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays, better re-think the plan!  Read it at:  http://www.rockhall.com/exhibitupcoming/the-doors/

'Soul Kitchen' gets a somber reading from Patti Smith on her forthcoming CD "Twelve", due out on April 24th.  This review comes from blogcritics.org, which has a pretty interesting write-up about the entire release.  This sounds like an amazing CD; I can't wait!   read story

Jim Morrison graces the cover of a French issue of Rolling Stone magazine issue.  I don't know the date of the issue or if it's available yet in France, but here is the cover.   (thanks, Gilles)

The Adam Freeland remix of 'Hello I Love You' can be heard on YouTube as it plays over a most bizarre video.  To watch it, go to:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq22D4AHdxI   (thanks, Gilles)

Fairport Convention apparently performed 'Light My Fire' on the BBC in December 1968, because that performance is on Disc 4, Selection 10 of that band's new 4-CD live box set.  I saw Richard Thompson in concert a few weeks ago; I would have flipped if he slid into that song!  Check out the box set info at:  http://www.keymailorder.com/cgi-bin/keymail.pl?special=fport0207.htm   (thanks, Gilles)

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March 29, 2007     website server problems <> Robby quoted in LA Times <> Doors catalog on-line <> ROTS tour announced <> Boston show coming from BMA <> Doors magazine cover
I have been having server problems all week long and have not been able to upload.  I guess I'm back on track now.  It'll take me a few days to get caught up on adding all the new items and stories.

Robby Krieger's comments about the song "L.A. Woman" are part of a story about that song that ran in this week's Sunday L.A. Times Calendar section in a feature called 'The SoCal Songbook'.   read story

The Doors' release of their entire back catalog on-line for digital downloading is all over the media now.  While we Doors fans have known about this for quite awhile, the story is now media-wide.  read it

Riders On The Storm have announced 9 tour dates for this summer (so far).   The first half of May will find them playing Canada.  Mid-June are shows in England, including the MOJO Awards.   They will be in Paris on July 3rd and then doing other European shows, with more tour dates to be announced.  The dates and cities are in the calendar below.  These dates were posted today on Ray's official site at:  http://www.raymanzarek.us/index.html

The Doors in Boston will be released this summer, according to a post late last week from Doors management on one of the message boards.  The release is expected in July, probably as a 3-CD set.   That's something to look forward to!

The Doors are on the cover of a French magazine, possibly called Keyboards Recording.  To see the cover, go here    (thanks, Gilles)

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March 23, 2007     Ray in UCLA documentary <> Guitar Player magazine
UCLA alumnus Ray Manzarek is an interviewee in a one-hour HBO sports documentary that debuts on Monday night (and is repeated many times on HBO channels).   The show is called "The UCLA Dynasty" and examines the Bruins' basketball success in the context of society during the 1960s and 70s.  Former Bruins such as John Wooden and Bill Walton are also interviewed.  For more information about the show, go to:  http://www.hbo.com/events/ucla/ucla_dynasty.html

Guitar Player Magazine, April 2007 issue (cover:  Hendrix) contains their list of the 40 Greatest Guitar Albums on 1967.  Appropriately, The Doors first album is on the list. 

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March 22, 2007     Ray in Paris <> Ray & Robby on radio Sunday <> vintage She-Bang clip
Ray Manzarek appeared at Fnac in Paris last evening to meet fans and sign autographs.  He was there for an hour and signed one item per fan.  Unfortunately the weather was cold and fans had to wait outside to be admitted into the story just a few at a time.  (thanks, Simone and Gilles)

Ray and Robby will be discussing The Doors on BBC Radio 2's Johnnie Walker show this coming Sunday between 16:30 and 18:30 GMT.  I have not calculated what time that will be in the US yet, but it's easily done.  Check out the program's website at:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/walker/   This show can also be listened to on-line.   (thanks, Bobby)

The Doors appeared on local L.A. television show 'She-Bang' in early 1967.   A brief (29-second) clip of that performance can be found at:  http://www.latvlegends.com/Dance/Dance.html    Scroll down to the 60s and click on She-Bang 2   (thanks, Joe)

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March 21, 2007     Doors management past & present do U.Va panel
Management of The Doors - past and present - will participate in a panel discussion at University of Virginia next week.  Jeff Jampol, Bill Siddons and Rich Linnell will be discussing topics such as changes in the music business since 1967, digital downloading, a 'brand' (this was a big topic during the trial!), and managing an artistic legacy over 40 years.  The event is free and open to the public.  For more info or to read full story, go here

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March 19, 2007     Riders On The Storm tour plans <> YouTube clip of Danny Sugerman <> Joel Brodsky photo exhibit
Riders On The Storm with new vocalist Brett Scallions will be kicking off a North American tour in May, followed with shows in Europe in June & July, according to statements posted on the official websites of both Robby and Ray.   Ray's site also contains a statement from Ray about the new addition to the band.

Danny Sugerman can be seen in a vintage TV interview on a program called 50/50.  It runs 8:40 and is kind of rough quality, but is totally watchable.  From the references, it is shortly after 'No One Here Gets Out Alive' was published, which puts it in the late 70's time frame.  To watch it, go to:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F12ymv19BE  (thanks, Gilles & Stuart)

Joel Brodsky photographs of Jim Morrison and The Doors will be presented in a future exposition by Snap Galleries of Birmingham, England.  The exhibit will run from April 21 to July 3rd.  For more information, go to:  http://www.snapgalleries.com/exhibitionsfuture.html    Joel Brodsky was involved in the planning of this exhibit but as reported two weeks ago, he died suddenly of a heart attack on March 1st.

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March 17, 2007     YouTube clip of Ray <> L.A. Woman in commercials
Ray Manzarek appeared on L.A.'s KTLA morning t.v. show back on July 7, 1998 to promote his book "Light My Fire" and book signings planned for that week.   There is a clip on YouTube that runs about 5-1/2 minutes of that appearance.  To watch it, go to:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY13HUKWdiA   (thanks, Gilles)

"L.A. Woman" is going to get a slight re-mix treatment and be embedded in commercials for INHD, In Demand's high definition channel, when it is re-named Mojo effective on May 1st according to an on-line story today.  The change will be supported by a multimillion-dollar marketing and advertising campaign, with TV commercials featuring music and the “Mr. Mojo Risin' ” lyric from The Doors' song “L.A. Woman.”   read story

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March 14, 2007     ROTS announce new singer
Riders On The Storm have announced Brett Scallions as their new vocalist to replace Ian Astbury, according to today's media reports.  Brett was the lead vocalist for Fuel since the late 90's, and left that band about a year ago.  Ian Astbury had been the frontman since Robby and Ray began playing together again in September 2002.  Last month Ian announced he was leaving the group to focus full-time on The Cult, who have been touring widely for the last year and will be releasing a new CD very soon.  I don't know much about Brett Scallions (yet!!), but expect to soon.  It was a good sign for Doors fans when Robby and Ray announced that they wanted to continue to tour and perform when they lost Ian, and would seek a new singer.  I hope the fans will continue to support them with their choice of the person who gets to sing those words written by Jim and by Robby.  Brett Scallions will undoubtedly bring his own unique interpretations to the songs.  If Ray and Robby and band manager Tom Vitorino chose Brett Scallions, then let's give him and them the benefit of the doubt and our support and enthusiasm!  Congratulations to fans of Riders On The Storm:  we have a full band again and should be seeing some tour dates announced soon!   read press release

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March 13, 2007     new releases from The Doors
The Doors management have announced some new "Best Of" collections in Europe, in three versions.  As I understand it, these will be:  (1) a 1-CD "Very Best of The Doors";  (2) a 2-CD "Best of The Doors";  and (3) a 3-CD "Best of The Doors" Limited Edition containing video and outtakes.  There will also be bonus tracks for the digitally downloaded versions.  Please, do not write to me for more information on these and/or the differences ... I'm having trouble keeping these all straight myself.  If you need more information, go to:  http://www.thedoors.com/home and read the March 2nd news item there.  (thanks, Simone)

The Doors management have also indicated that later this year, Bright Midnight Archives (BMA) will release Boston and Pittsburgh live shows.  I have no other information at this time, so please don't ask me.  (thanks, Simone)

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March 12, 2007     John & Reza review <> Ray going to Paris
John Densmore and Reza Derakshani performed two shows of Persian music over the weekend.  The second show on Saturday night at L.A.'s Wilshire-Ebell Theater, got a write-up in today's L.A. Times Calendar on-line.   read it

Ray Manzarek will be in Paris, France on March 21 at Fnac on Champs Elysees at 6:30 in the afternoon, according to a post on the French version of The Doors message board.   That post can be read at:  http://messageboard.thedoors.com/showthread.php?p=310608   (thanks, Simone)

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March 11, 2007     Walk of Fame photos
A set of 15 photos from the recent Walk of Fame star ceremony for The Doors can be seen on Hollywood.com at:  http://www.hollywood.com/photo_gallery/The_Doors_Star_on_the_Hollywood_Walk_of_Fame_Ceremony/3664563    I have also added this link to the Walk of Fame page with other photos, a video link and a media story.   (thanks, Pete)

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March 9, 2007     Doors in London postponed <> Robby Krieger Band video
The Doors 40th Anniversary international launch party and celebration event in London on March 19th has seemingly had to be postponed for about 90 days due to scheduling conflicts with some of the special guest artists, according to a post this morning on The Doors message board. Expect a new date and location to be announced for some time in June.  This event is apparently not being promoted as a wide-open event like the Sunset Strip extravaganza was on November 8th ... possibly due to the size of the available venues around Camden Town.  List members on the official Doors board were given invitations on request.  The original event details can be found at:  http://messageboard.thedoors.com/showpost.php?p=307171&postcount=1738   I really don't know any other information, so please do not email me with questions.  I guess:  stay tuned.  (thanks to all who sent this news)

Robby Krieger Band played at the Whisky a Go Go as part of their 35th anniversary shows in February 1999, along with Iron Butterfly, Moby Grape, Grass Roots, and many other bands.  This video on TV4U is no mere quick clip, this is the performance ... so size it to full screen and crank up the volume, get comfortable, kick back and enjoy it!  It includes Love Her Madly, Alabama Song, Back Door Man, Five To One, Snake Oil from Robby's solo CD 'Cinematix', Riders On The Storm, and then John Densmore joined the band for Love Me Two Times, Spanish Caravan, and Light My Fire.  The line-up included Robby's son Waylon as well as Berry Oakley Jr., and Robby's former bandmate Dale Alexander.  Marco Moir can be seen scampering around onstage, too.  After sitting through a brief commercial, Robby's performance can be seen at:  http://tv4u.com/show-video.asp?cid=15&sid=285&vid=601&t=Robby%20Krieger%20Concert&cat=Rock%20&%20Roll.  I am told that all proceeds of the video went to a charity called The Caring Place, a center for cancer survivors and their families.  (thanks, Tom)

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March 6, 2007     Doors make the Definitive 200
NARM and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have unveiled the official list of the 200 albums and soundtracks that comprise the "Definitive 200."  The list was chosen by a committee of NARM retailers. Their selections spanned the past 50 years of modern popular music.  Guess what band's debut album made this impressive list at #19.  The release of this list will be celebrated with events in Los Angeles and New York.  To learn more about this and to see the entire 200, go here    (thanks, David my son)

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March 5, 2007     Walk of Fame video clip <> Doors CD at Starbucks <> another Doors manager died <> Pablo & DJ Paul Edge project <> Joel Brodsky R.I.P.
The Walk of Fame ceremony and interview with Robby and Ray can be seen in a 3-1/2 minute video clip on the K-Earth 101 website at http://kearth101.com/pages/271292.php   (thanks, Kathy)

Starbucks is selling a Doors compilation CD called "Scattered Sun" from their Hear Music Opus Collection for $13.95.  It is released from Rhino, and there are 18 tracks.   It's nice to see a rare photo of ALL of them on the front, with Jim wearing that green snakeskin suit.  Check it out at:  http://www.hearmusic.com/#PRODUCT249   (thanks, Tim)

Original co-manager of The Doors Sal Bonafede died at his home in Los Angeles on February 14th, according to a story today in DCM's Strange Days Newsletter.  Sal and Asher Dann managed the band for a brief period in 1967-1968 until they were replaced by Bill Siddons.  For free enrollment for this periodic on-line newsletter, go to:   http://www.doors.com/

Pablo Manzarek and DJ Paul Edge have agreed to remix an album called 'Beautiful Illusion' by Rites of Ash.  The project is expected to take two months to complete.   The first remix of 'Skeleton Girls' can be heard at http://www.myspace.com/ritesofash   (thanks, Dan and Mary-Beth)

Photographer Joel Brodsky died in Connecticut on March 1st.  Brodsky's "young lion" photos of Jim Morrison are indisputably the most famous of all.  read obit story

March 1, 2007     Bobby Klein photos for sale <> The Doors do London this month <> Walk of Fame pix
The Doors official website has added a new feature, offering for sale collectible prints of The Doors by some of the photographers who captured their images.  The first offering are photos by Bobby Klein, accompanied by a podcast of his recollections of each.  Many of the photos are also accompanied by a brief narration about the photo shoots.  Check it out at:  http://www.rhino.com/doorsprints/gallery.lasso

On March 19th, London is going to host an event similar to the Sunset Strip party back on November 8th.  The event in the Camden section will include book signings, a poetry reading by John, and a musical jam with Robby and Ray and special guests.  I have not caught up with all the details of this yet, but it is a rare opportunity for the European fans to experience what thousands of Doors fans had a few months ago in Los Angeles.

I'm having problems uploading the photos I took at the Walk of Fame event yesterday ... so depending on my determination, I may or may not get those uploaded any time soon.  I have added a few media photos that have appeared in the on-line stories:  go here

Author Jerry Prochnicky's best selling book "Break On Through:  The Life and Death of Jim Morrison" with co-writer James Riordan was originally released back in 1991.  Among the seemingly dozens of biographies that have been published about Jim and the band, this book has been regarded as one of the most thorough and authoritative.  "Break On Through:  The Life and Death of Jim Morrison" was re-released as of last week in a 6x9 trade paperback.  Its new cover is the one that Jerry always wanted for the original edition.   Check out the book and new cover artwork at Amazon.com

Angelo Barbera's band (former bassist for The Doors of the 21st Century) and his current band i-94, play the Knitting Factory on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood on Saturday night.  They are opening for Beth Hart and will be playing a semi-acoustic set.  For more band and tour info, go to their website at:  http://www.i94music.com/