Prior News

Prior News & Reviews

September 2005

September 29, 2005 about Carmina Burana <> Jim's Clearwater Beach arrest

Ray Manzarek released a solo album of 'Carmina Burana' back in the 80's. Music from that work was used in a scene in Oliver Stone's movie, "The Doors." The Doors of the 21st Century, and now Riders On The Storm, use 'O Fortuna' at the start of each concert as the band takes their places on stage. Everyone knows these things, but does everyone really know what the backstory of Carmina Burana actually is? I sure didn't, but now I do. A lavish stage production of it by Ballet Austin which opens this week in Austin, Texas, resulted in a very informative on-line story which does a great job of explaining this orchestral phenomenon. read it

Jim Morrison's arrest in Clearwater Beach, Florida got a brief write-up this week in the St. Petersburg (Florida) Times. He was arrested as a "public drunk," spent about six hours in jail, and paid $26 in fines. (thanks, John) read it

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September 28, 2005 Ray to play at Chet Helms tribute show <> Mary Werbelow speaks

Ray Manzarek is one of many musicians who will perform at a free concert - "The Chet Helms Tribal Stomp" - in memory of Chet Helms on October 30th in San Francisco at Golden Gate Park. Among the dozens of performers will be Nick Gravenites, War, Ray Manzarek, Taj Mahal, Dan Hicks, Paul Kantner, Blue Cheer, Iron Butterfly, Sammy Hagar, Lydia Pense, Country Joe McDonald and former members of such classic S.F. bands as It's a Beautiful Day, Journey, the Tubes and Quicksilver." more info

Mary Werbelow has finally broken her long silence regarding her relationship with Jim Morrison. The story appeared a few days ago in the St. Petersburg (Florida) Times. (thanks Paddy, Marci, Fred, & Dan) read it

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September 27, 2005 Riders On The Storm return to Honolulu

Riders On The Storm have announced the first show following their current break from touring, according to www.raymanzarek.com earlier today. In association with the Honolulu Marathon, they will play the Waikiki Band Shell in Honolulu, Hawaii on Friday, December 9th. It sounds like more dates will be forthcoming.

There have been several other news stories of interest that have surfaced the last few days, but those updates will have to wait until Wednesday.

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September 25, 2005 Angelo Barbera's band in upcoming show

Angelo Barbera was the bass player for The Doors on the VH-1 Storytellers show, as well as for The Doors of the 21st Century until late 2004. Before that, he had been in the Robby Krieger Band where he shared vocals in addition to playing bass. Angelo has also been playing in another band for several years, i-94. i-94 will be playing on Saturday, October 8th at the famous (& infamous) Viper Room, right down the street from the Whisky. Check their website at: http://www.i94music.com/

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September 24, 2005 Bon Jovi drummer's Robby connection <> John's Top 7 Bass Players list <> former RKB keyboard player's band

Tico Torres of Bon Jovi (drummer, and one of those gorgeous Jersey guys!) is a big fan of The Doors, and had a roundabout "in" to Robby Krieger back in the day when he actually got to see them play. read about it

John Densmore was asked to list his Top 7 Bass Players by Chaser Magazine. This doesn't appear to be from a current issue, but no matter, I still appreciate the submission by a fellow fan. (thanks ,George) read it

Fans of the Robby Krieger Band (back before the days of The Doors of the 21st Century / D21C / Riders On The Storm) will remember Robby's amazing keyboardist, Steve Bach. Steve plays keyboards in The Bachs, a band which features his kids. Check them out at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood next Wednesday, September 28th. There are also other upcoming show dates listed at www.myspace.com/thebachs

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September 22, 2005 J. Edgar Hoover on The Doors <> West Hollywood to celebrate RnR history <> Tori references Jim <> Riders On The Storm logo contest <> INXS credits The Doors

The Doors were "filth" and singer Jim Morrison's stage act was "repulsive ... and can have serious effects on our young people". So sayeth former FBI boss J. Edgar Hoover, along with many other remarkable statements which appear in an on-line story about the FBI's secret files of investigations, probes and suspicions!! read more

West Hollywood's City Council initiated plans at their Monday night meeting to celebrate and memorialize the history of rock and roll stars on the Sunset Strip. Councilman John Duran said that one idea was to create a museum to house a Hall of Fame and other memorabilia, similar to one already in place in Cleveland, Ohio which opened in September 1995. Another suggestion included an annual street festival to begin next year, featuring a mix of well-established and lesser known rock bands. read story

Even Tori Amos references Jim Morrison! At her concert in San Diego on September 14, she covered 'People Are Strange' and also made a reference to the Lizard King. (thanks, Greg)

Ray and Robby of Riders On The Storm have decided to run a contest to see who can create a new logo to go along with their new band name. The winner will receive tickets and backstage passes to any five Riders On The Storm shows in the USA in 2006. (I guess this answers the speculation about whether the band will continue after the hiatus). Hotel, airfare and travel expenses are not included in the prize package, although a guitar autographed by members of the band is. There are also a limited number of prizes that will be awarded for runners-up. The contest runs through November 20th. For full contest rules, visit http://www.raymanzarek.com/rots2.html

The surviving members of INXS credit The Doors with supporting them early on as they sought musical clearances for "Rock Star: INXS." That show's Executive Producer stated that "When we got the Doors, I believe we obtained legitimacy" ... "There was a snowball effect." read the whole story

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September 21, 2005 Jim scholarship fund at UCLA

There is an abundance of deserving charities and funds for the philanthropist in each of us. One that should be considered is the long-standing James Douglas Morrison Memorial Scholarship Fund at UCLA, created to help fund aspiring artists at the UCLA Film School. Donations should be sent to: UCLA - External Affairs, James Douglas Morrison Memorial Scholarship Fund, 10920 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1400, Los Angeles, California 90024 attention: Jacquelean Gilliam (thanks, Alan) learn more about the scholarship fund

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September 20, 2005 John's appearance yesterday

John Densmore and Jackson Browne were onstage together yesterday, along with other musicians at the Sounds of The Sacred, Songs of The Earth Festival in Topanga Canyon to perform with Spanish flamenco guitarist Pedro Ricardo Mino. John appeared again later as the headliner with Tribaljazz. read it

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September 19, 2005 new Doors projects in the works

Several new Doors projects are apparently in the works, according to www.thedoors.com home page. In addition to the repackaged studio albums remixed in 5.1 Surround sound by Bruce Botnick, there are four new Bright Midnight Archives releases in the works, with the first due to be released this year. There is a theatrical documentary film about The Doors now in production. And lastly, 2007 is supposed to see a coffee-table Doors Anthology book, which will coincide with the 40th anniversary of the release of their first album.

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September 18, 2005 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame news <> Unlock The Doors version for Katrina aid

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio is re-installing an exhibit of correspondence from a young Jim Morrison, according to an on-line article about a planned expansion. According to the story, an 18,000 square foot Library and Archives is slated to open in December 2007 in downtown Cleveland at the Cuyahoga Community College in their new Center for American Music and Recording Arts. read story

The "Unlock The Doors" version of the song 'Riders On The Storm' has been granted permission for use to generate awareness of the Hurricane Katrina disaster and help raise funds for the disaster victims. Listen to it and view images of the disaster at: www.djpauledge.com/nolaaid/ (thanks, Dante)

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September 17, 2005 Ray album re-released <> BMA to release Philly Spectrum

Ray Manzarek's "The Whole Thing Started With Rock & Roll Now It's Out of Control" 1974 album has been re-mastered and was re-released earlier this week on Lemon Records, its first time on CD. more info

"The Doors Live In Philadelphia '70" is scheduled to be released as a two-CD set from Bright Midnight Archives on November 22, according to http://www.thedoors.com/news/ I'm really looking forward to this release, as I was at that concert on May 1, 1970 at the Philadelphia Spectrum. Keep checking at www.rhinohandmade.com for pre-order information.

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September 16, 2005 Jim's Phoenix arrest report

Not much news happening during the last week. For some reason, The Smoking Gun website is showing a 2-1/2 page FBI report dated November 20, 1969 of the airline incident when Jim Morrison and Tom Baker were accused of misbehaving on board, which culminated in their arrest upon arrival at Phoenix. read it

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September 11, 2005 Ty Dennis band appearance

Ty Dennis has been drumming for The Doors of the 21st Century and Riders On The Storm since early 2003. Before that, he drummed for the Robby Krieger Band. During this break in the band's touring, Ty and his band 'Three From None' will be playing a show on September 29th at Taix Lounge, 1911 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles. Visit Ty's website at: www.tydennis.com

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September 8, 2005 John and Keith Secola <> Q Magazine on 'Strange Days' cover

John Densmore appears on native American Keith Secola's CD 'Native Americana' scheduled for release tomorrow, according to an interview that appeared today in the Phoenix New Times. In the story, Keith talks about John's participation on two songs on his record. John is scheduled to appear with Keith Secola in a performance in the artist's home state of Minnesota on September 23rd. More info is in the calendar above. read it

U.K.'s Q Magazine, September 2005 issue (cover: Kurt Cobain) has a cool spread on page 50 called Undercover: Behind the sleeves with The Doors' Strange Days. The stories behind the creation of this unusual circus-themed album cover are explained by photographer Joel Brodsky. (thanks, George) read it

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September 5, 2005 happy birthday to Waylon <> VH1 Decades review

Waylon Krieger was born 32 years ago today to Robby and Lynn. Happy birthday, Waylon!

The Doors of the 21st Century played Atlantic City's Trump Taj Mahal on August 5, which was filmed by VH1 for their premiere episode of the VH1 Decades Rock series which premieres on October 8th on VH1 Classic channel. Before that night ended, the band announced their new name would be Riders On The Storm in response to the lawsuit judgment a few weeks earlier. My good friend Glyn attended and reviewed that show for the east coast tri-state music paper, Aquarian Weekly. read it

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September 4, 2005 Tom Robbins Doors review <> Michelle Campbell interview

The Doors played Seattle, Washington twice in July 1967. One of those shows was reviewed by an emerging writer named Tom Robbins for Helix magazine. "Wild Ducks Flying Backward," Robbins' ninth book, collects his short writings dating back to the late 1960s. It includes travelogues, offbeat tributes, short fiction, poems, a film treatment, and the lyrics to a couple of country and western songs thrown in for good measure. A review of a 1967 concert by The Doors in Seattle captures not only the essence of the band but also Robbins' emerging writing style. read more

Michelle Campbell is an American from Texas who has lived in Paris for many years, and has taken it upon herself to document images and events at Jim Morrison's grave with her amazing photography. A recent interview with her features many of her photos. (thanks, Stuart) read it

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September 3, 2005 The Doors in New Orleans <> 'An Hour For Magic' French re-issue <> VH1 'R&R Rebel' poll

The Doors played their final concert with Jim Morrison on December 12, 1970 in New Orleans, that city that is now devastated beyond belief by Hurricane Katrina. A fan has shared a photo taken at that show. The Warehouse was located at 1820 Tchoupitoulas Street in New Orleans. Please, give whatever you can to help the survivors in the gulf coast region of our country. (thanks, Tony) see photo

Frank Lisciandro's wonderful 'An Hour For Magic' book has been released in a French edition with a new cover, revised text, and several new, unseen photos. All photos are printed from touched up negatives and slides for better quality. Other language editions will follow. This is available at Amazon.com and fnac.com (thanks, Fred and Gilles) see cover artwork

The Ultimate Rock and Roll Rebel is the subject of a new poll by VH1. Naturally, Jim Morrison is one of their candidates. To see the poll and cast your vote, go to: http://www.vh1.co.uk/shows/rockpoll.jhtml

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September 2, 2005 Lancaster show write-up and set list <> another hearing re lawsuit <> 'The Doors' movie screenwriter interview

Robby and Ray, Ian, Ty and Phil performed as Riders On The Storm on Tuesday night at the Antelope Valley Fair in Lancaster, California. This is the last announced show for awhile, as the band members and crew take a break after a busy summer of touring. Ian headed off to India for a month or so. The future of this amazing touring band remains a big question mark, as they continue to deal with the ramifications of John Densmore's lawsuit and the judgment that was announced in July by the court. read about the show set list

The saga of the lawsuit and its effects continues. In addition to uncertainty about the future plans of the band, which at one time was allowed to identify themselves as The Doors of the 21st Century by the judge who later had a change of heart on that subject ... there is a hearing scheduled for September 16th in the matter.

Randall Jahnson was the screenwriter for the Oliver Stone movie, The Doors. He was recruited to work on the script for a forthcoming new game from Neversoft called GUN. As a result, a lengthy interview for Ugo.com contained a lot of interesting information about his development of the script for The Doors movie. read it

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