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View Full Version : Doors Drummer Wins Suit Against Bandmates


Bronx33
07-26-2005, 05:53 PM
http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2005/07/2508.cfm

heDoors Of The 21st Century have been ordered to change their name after the a permanent injunction was won by the original band's drummer.

John Densmore told Reuters he was concerned the Doors' legacy was being tarnished by its reincarnation as an oldies act.

"They're playing Doors songs and calling themselves the Doors Of The 21st Century. I kinda think it's the 19th century — it's looking back."

The Doors' original keyboardist, Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger formed the Doors Of The 21st Century along with Jim Morrison's replacement, wolf child/Cult singer Ian Astbury.

The three men have been ordered by the Los Angeles Superior Court to turn over all profits earned by The Doors Of The 21st Century to the original Doors partnership.

Densmore sued Krieger and Manzarek in early 2003 after the two went against a 1971 agreement ordering all three surviving members, as well as the Morrison estate, to sign off any use of The Doors name or logo.

"I'm very pleased that, in my opinion, the legacy is preserved," said Densmore. "I never intended for Ray and Robby to stop playing — they're great musicians. I hope Doors fans keep going to see them — it's just the name is owned by me and them and the estate of Jim Morrison, and they kinda ran off with stolen property."

Since touring as The Doors Of The 21st Century over the past few years, Densmore estimates Manzarek and Krieger have made "millions and millions of dollars" more than the original band ever made.

Hogan11
07-26-2005, 08:44 PM
I've always sided with John in this and agreed with him on his points. His victory is good to hear...:thumbs:

I know I've been kinda torn over this reunion thing of sorts.....having been too young the first time around and The Doors being one of (if not The ) fave band of mine...the prospect of seeing at least two original members was inticing to me.......but I absolutely can't stand Ian Astbury's very pale imitation of Morrison...the whole thing now smacks of that of a tribute band.

Seeing The Doors now, without the original members, is kinda pointless...it's like a cabret act or something....much like The Beach Boys now or The Who without Moon and Entwhistle...or (in other words) it's paying top dollar for very incomplete nostalgia.

Why bother? Take it from me and see Love with Arthur Lee first....if you're lucky enough to, that is.

L.A. BRONCOS FAN
07-26-2005, 11:08 PM
I can see both sides of the issue.

On the one hand, Densmore was right in principle re: the agreement about the use of the name, and the judge was right to rule in his favor.

However, on the other hand, the judge's ruling that all the profits earned by the group be turned over to the partnership is unfair insofar as Densmore is getting a big fat paycheck he did nothing to earn. I think it would have been fairer to simply award him some reasonable sum for damages and to bar the group from any further use of the name.