http://www.reuters.com/article/peopleNews/idUSN1521475420070215
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - British rock singer Ian Astbury has quit the Doors revival band formed by two of the legendary group's members, and will resurrect his old combo the Cult, he said on Thursday.
Astbury convincingly filled the late Jim Morrison's shoes in Riders on the Storm for the past four years, playing alongside original Doors members, keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger.
The new group was originally called the Doors of the 21st Century, until Manzarek and Krieger lost a lawsuit filed by former Doors drummer John Densmore, who said the Doors name was being cheapened on the oldies tour circuit.
"I have decided to move on and focus on my own music and legacy," Astbury, 44, said in a statement. "I have enjoyed performing and sharing the stage with Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger immensely. I have learned a great deal from the both of them, and it certainly has expanded my abilities as a performer. This has been a difficult decision to make but I feel I would be holding them back as well as myself if I did not depart at this time."
Astbury has reconnected with Cult guitarist Billy Duffy to relaunch the hard rock band famed for such late-'80s hits as "She Sells Sanctuary," "Fire Woman" and "Spiritwalker."
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THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ian Astbury has moved on from playing in a band with members of The Doors to
relaunch his '80s hard rock group The Cult, the singer said Thursday.
"I have decided to move on and focus on my own music and legacy," Astbury, 44,
said in a statement e-mailed by The Cult's publicist Todd Brodginski.
Astbury has been performing the past four years with Doors keyboardist Ray
Manzarek, 68, and guitarist Robby Krieger, 61, first under the name Doors of the
21st Century, then Riders on the Storm.
"I have learned a great deal from the both of them, and it certainly has
expanded my abilities as a performer," Astbury said of the '60s legends. "This
has been a difficult decision to make but I feel I would be holding them back as
well as myself if I did not depart at this time."
Astbury, a singer heavily influenced by the late Doors frontman Jim Morrison,
will now focus on "relaunching" The Cult with guitarist Billy Duffy.
Riders on the Storm, according to group manager Tom Vitorino, will continue to
perform and is looking at a short list of potential vocalists, Brodginski said.
The group just finished a sold-out tour of Europe, Brodginski said.
Britain's The Cult gained fame in the '80s with such hits as "She Sells
Sanctuary,"
"Revolution" and "Rain."
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