Hey... close the Doors!
Anyone who knows me - especially my musical preferences - knows that The Doors have been my favorite band for over half of my existence. I'm not sure where my thoughts stand amongst those who also consider the genius of the collective music as THE measuring stick of music.
Original, innovative, rebellious, always evolving. Bands from today could certainly take a lesson. That being said, Messrs Manzarek and Krieger have been touring with Ian Astbury of The Cult as "The Doors of the 21st Century". DAMN. Ian Astbury and The Cult...you talk about a great band. Wow. I'm sure seeing him singing with two of the Doors would be worth the price of admission. But... and I've got no problem with someone trying to put bread on the table for their families, and let's face it, the first go 'round, the boys spent a lot more cash on "fun" than on family. If you read any of the Doors' members autobiographies or biographies, you'll see that as well. Thing is, money wasn't pouring in to bands then, the way it is now, and probably wouldn't have been saved anyway. Bands aren't the same now as they were back then. Today's bands are paid ridiculous amounts of money - oft times UP FRONT - before even hitting the stage for their very first shows, and for playing music that is uber-mediocre at its best.
Because of their legacy and never ending supply of talent, the Doors would be an exception today. In other words, they'd be worth every penny.
But there's two problems with that thought. One, It wasn't about money with them, and two, the Doors were a foursome.
Not just a group of interchangeable parts with any 4, though. The Doors existed, because of the talent put together by 4 dynamic, unique and genius musicians. EVERY one of them brought something different to the table - and without any and all of the components, they're not complete and WHOLE. To those folks who worship Jim Morrison, or at the very least, equate the Doors' success to his alleged leadership... I say, think again. He was a better than average poet, but not a singer. Without a bandleader like Ray, a percussionist like John and an original guitar virtuoso like Robby, there'd be no Jim, and most importantly no Doors. The whole is simply one million times better than any one of its parts.
I hear sentiments all the time about bands like The Beatles, Elvis Presley...Pink Floyd (hang on... I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit...) being avant...or genius...or something special. Sorry, they don't cut it in my book. You constantly hear from the mediocre masses about some new band being "the next..." You never hear that comparison made to the Doors. There will never be another group like them.
I know marketing. I know of the behind the scenes trappings that are in place to keep folks from being too successful, as well. Contracts are put in place to make the suits richer. Period. The lawyers in the case between Manzarek/Krieger and Densmore were probably chillin' after every day in court, tossing back shots and giving each other handies under the table while they fill up the jukebox and listen to The Doors Greatest Hits over and over in the smoke filled bar.
John lost part of his hearing a while back, couldn't hang with Robby and Ray and do what they do at that intensity level. Fine. No hard feelings. From the get, however, there was an agreement. I hate that lawyers got involved, but "word is bond". If there truly will never be The Doors again, why push the issue? In a way, Robby and Ray are pushing the "one remaining original (well 5 years after the originals, I was added to the lineup, ergo I'm an original part of the band...)" envelope that one sees played out on the County Fair circuit. The exceptions are few and far between.
Again, no offense to Ian, Robby or Ray. But, let the fans enjoy their original Doors vinyl, tapes, CD's etc... and let a sleeping dog lie. The royalties to pass along to your grandchildren are more than well deserved for what you've already wrought. You are/were incredible as a unit. Still uber-talented today. But without John and, truly, without Jim, you're NOT the Doors. Call yourselves "Huxley Was Just Right On" or something.
Close the Doors, my friends, close the Doors.
Original, innovative, rebellious, always evolving. Bands from today could certainly take a lesson. That being said, Messrs Manzarek and Krieger have been touring with Ian Astbury of The Cult as "The Doors of the 21st Century". DAMN. Ian Astbury and The Cult...you talk about a great band. Wow. I'm sure seeing him singing with two of the Doors would be worth the price of admission. But... and I've got no problem with someone trying to put bread on the table for their families, and let's face it, the first go 'round, the boys spent a lot more cash on "fun" than on family. If you read any of the Doors' members autobiographies or biographies, you'll see that as well. Thing is, money wasn't pouring in to bands then, the way it is now, and probably wouldn't have been saved anyway. Bands aren't the same now as they were back then. Today's bands are paid ridiculous amounts of money - oft times UP FRONT - before even hitting the stage for their very first shows, and for playing music that is uber-mediocre at its best.
Because of their legacy and never ending supply of talent, the Doors would be an exception today. In other words, they'd be worth every penny.
But there's two problems with that thought. One, It wasn't about money with them, and two, the Doors were a foursome.
Not just a group of interchangeable parts with any 4, though. The Doors existed, because of the talent put together by 4 dynamic, unique and genius musicians. EVERY one of them brought something different to the table - and without any and all of the components, they're not complete and WHOLE. To those folks who worship Jim Morrison, or at the very least, equate the Doors' success to his alleged leadership... I say, think again. He was a better than average poet, but not a singer. Without a bandleader like Ray, a percussionist like John and an original guitar virtuoso like Robby, there'd be no Jim, and most importantly no Doors. The whole is simply one million times better than any one of its parts.
I hear sentiments all the time about bands like The Beatles, Elvis Presley...Pink Floyd (hang on... I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit...) being avant...or genius...or something special. Sorry, they don't cut it in my book. You constantly hear from the mediocre masses about some new band being "the next..." You never hear that comparison made to the Doors. There will never be another group like them.
I know marketing. I know of the behind the scenes trappings that are in place to keep folks from being too successful, as well. Contracts are put in place to make the suits richer. Period. The lawyers in the case between Manzarek/Krieger and Densmore were probably chillin' after every day in court, tossing back shots and giving each other handies under the table while they fill up the jukebox and listen to The Doors Greatest Hits over and over in the smoke filled bar.
John lost part of his hearing a while back, couldn't hang with Robby and Ray and do what they do at that intensity level. Fine. No hard feelings. From the get, however, there was an agreement. I hate that lawyers got involved, but "word is bond". If there truly will never be The Doors again, why push the issue? In a way, Robby and Ray are pushing the "one remaining original (well 5 years after the originals, I was added to the lineup, ergo I'm an original part of the band...)" envelope that one sees played out on the County Fair circuit. The exceptions are few and far between.
Again, no offense to Ian, Robby or Ray. But, let the fans enjoy their original Doors vinyl, tapes, CD's etc... and let a sleeping dog lie. The royalties to pass along to your grandchildren are more than well deserved for what you've already wrought. You are/were incredible as a unit. Still uber-talented today. But without John and, truly, without Jim, you're NOT the Doors. Call yourselves "Huxley Was Just Right On" or something.
Close the Doors, my friends, close the Doors.
posted by swg11871 at 9:42 AM
2 Comments:
I've been busy this week. The only comment I was able to make on my site about this was that John should just ask them for money or something.
It's sad, but then again, most of the legends are, now. McCartney's Super Bowl Halftime had the power and majesty of a 1st Grade Play that your kids aren't in. The other two members of the Who should consider joining Keith and John. And the Stones...well, their new one is OK, so never mind.
If two of The Doors want to traipse around with Ian from the Cult...more power to 'em. But do what 3/4 of Rage Against The Machine did. Start fresh. Make new music. Get a new identity.
exactly, tlc. I was talking with ktothat and her boy (my brother) this weekend and the bottom line was that folks don't realize that John didn't want money from them as much as for them to STOP. At least from what I read. To me, it seems that he felt using any phrase of "The Doors" even adding "of the 21st Century" is compromising the identity of the original band. Imagine that. An artist who wants to stick to the original deal...and not compromise it. I certainly don't want to imply that Robby and Ray are selling out... but... like you said, change the name. Let the talents (which are so, so strong on both of their parts) do the talking. Let Ian do the singing... and you've got a collective nearly as powerful as the AudioSlave combo in terms of star power and talent.
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