Densmore Plans 'Quiet' Celebration For Doors Anniversary

The Doors drummer John Densmore is being very careful about signing on for projects to mark the 40th anniversary of the rock super group's first album in 2007 - because he doesn't want to tarnish their legacy.

The thoughtful star, who now fronts jazz group Tribaljazz, insists he plans to celebrate the anniversary "quietly" and will think very carefully about plans to reunite with band mates Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek.

Densmore won a court battle to prevent the duo from hitting the road as 'The Doors Of The 21st Century'.

He says, "I'll remember the anniversary quietly at home. There's a documentary and a coffee table book that I'm part of. But there was a certain magic that came to the garage in Venice (California), when we all started playing together and it was bigger than us. That magic is not ours." (from idafan.com)



I, for one, would still like to have seen these guys get back together and play one more time. However, it appears that John's really not wanting to have anything to do with Ray and Robby and performing as the Doors. I guess we'll have to see what happens.

is this really shocking at all? i dont think any anniversary or anything at all for that matter would get him to agree to something like a reunion.

i think that they can still claim to be on good terms during business hours, but there has been a lot of animosity between them over all of this stuff.

also, the fans are very clearly on two sides re: john, and i don't know if a full reunion would be welcomed by all b/c then you get into the question of who would sing with them or if they would just not have a frontman and what that would be saying to ian, etc, etc. it would be kind of messy i would think. i for one know that my feelings towards john have changed over the last couple of years. without elaborating further, i dont know what kind of feelings a reunion would elicit among the two camps.

I think you have summed up my oppinions also Universal.

I think they should do it karaoke style...w/ pre-recorded Jim vocals and the band playing. And then some lucky fan could be chosen via a lottery to get up on stage and sing w/ the band. HMMM...

bit tacky maybe? just my opinion though

I get the feeling he could be coerced into it... 'Course it might require someone kissing someone's something...

I guess we'll be finding out soon.

"the magic is not ours"... that seems to be the key phrase that explains johns incessant fight against the whole idea of a reunion tour, or whatever they may be negotiating. the magic, to my understanding, was the intriguing and morbid harmony between their music and the times of confusion and war that existed back then. it was an epiphany. however, i think a majority of doors fans would agree that there are some strange parallels going on here... vietnam and iraq, nixon and bush. i see this upcoming anniversary as an amazing opportunity to create something very genuine. not to merely relive the past, but to reinvigorate the initial inspirations in a world that is crying out much like it did 40 years ago. i have been an avid supporter of ray and robby getting back out there again - i think it is very important. if john gets involved with playing some live shows with his old band mates again, i think that would be the magic in and of itself... but, i won't hold my breath.

Well, The Doors played as Ray, Robby and John for a couple of years in the 70's (Other Voices & Full Circle). The magic was there then - just listen to Ships w/ Sails, Verdillac, 4 Billion Souls etc. Ray and Robby were great singers and still are. If the magic was there then when there only 4 Billion Souls on the planet to listen, I'm sure it could still be there now that there are 6 Billion Souls on the planet.

It comes down to whether John wants to do it. At the moment, I would speculate that part of him does, the musician in him and part of him doesn't, the part that doesn't like the direction that Ray Manzarek wants to take The Doors' legacy towards. That part of him is winning out in the 21st Century and that's a shame for the music because D21C/ROTS is taking The Doors' legacy to a new generation - my generation. I think John is of the opinion that the doors are closed to newcomers in terms of hearing the original musicians who made the music in the first place recreate that hour (or two) of magic in a live setting. It reflects Doors fans in general - two thirds are a happy inclusive bunch, happy to welcome new guests to this feast of friends whilst one third of the party are barracading the basement off and holding their own private doors club for those who are lucky enough to be old enough to remember it all from the beginning.

My generation wants The Doors. Some of John's generation don't, including at the moment John himself. That's his right I suppose but I still say he's making the wrong call on that one. But ah hell, I suppose he knows better than me. But I don't think he knows better than Ray and Robby.

PK

great post PK... another point i want to make is that 100% percent of new show attendees loved the 4 of them together - it was truly magical... but john doesn't seem to understand that we all acknowledge that, and accept the fact that jim will never front the band again. the recordings and video and interviews of the past are precious to us - but something has to be said - rather screamed from a mountain top louder than hell and damnation that LIVE shows is where it's at. and above all, their legacy is not tarnished by this new incarnation - it's revived - it's extrapolation - it's desired - it's soulful - it's meaningful all over again - and it's a fuckload better than any other band out there today proliferating their exhausting egotism. the world is screaming for change - and the world is screaming for a voice to believe in again - who better than the doors? god knows i need them to pull me through my anger and frustration towards our brainless leader (who wants to ratify the ONLY ammendment which would limit civil rights for fucks sake, what the hell? let 'em marry and be as miserable as the rest of us! and essentially, who cares either way anyways, gimme a break). john rejoining the doors on a world tour, and news of a major scandal initiating the impeachment or resignation of that oval office asswipe would be a dream come true! so many parallels it's not even funny.

c'mon john - get your ass back on the drum stand... if not, then honestly i'm perfectly happy with ty ~ he'd actually be hard to live up to ~ but for the sanctity of the band, and the revitalization, us hardcore D21C/riders fans would welcome you back. again, i'm not holding my breath - just my last 2 cents on the issue...

no, hilarious...a celebration of the band...a tribute to the band

don't be a part of the problem, be part of the solution that rejoins the band members for a special anniversary reunion.

for the 50th anniversary? may never be possible...it is now, today, a year from now...lets do it!

on the other hand, we can always hold our own memories to ourselves and quietly reflect on a wonderous journey of music, money, murder, madness...just like John wants.

If all we have was the VH1 Storytellers show, then I guess the year 2000 really was the cutoff date.

People, get up and dance...

dance motherfucker dance!!

billyd, extraordinary words, thank you. You've summed up the musico-political feelings that run through the veins of all of us. These are strange days again, 40 years on and the music to represent these days is coming from the doors once again.

PK

I'll take Ty on the throne over John, no matter what the circumstance.

Seeing John up there would only satisfy some stupid, petty fantasy of seeing "all of the living Doors" together on a stage. I don't really need that, ESPECIALLY considering the sentiments shared between the guys.

I'll take a world class drummer who has good blood with the band over some other guy who has fucked with the band at every opportunity and slagged them off in the press numerous times just because he's "the original".

Ty's been touring with Ray and Robby for nearly five years now, which means he's done more time actually 'on the road' with the band than John did with The Doors back in the 60's. I mean obviously, John was in The Doors from 65 to 71 with Jim as lead but their tour time was erratic at best. Ty has been consistently there for years for D21C/ROTS. His loyalty deserves recognition.

Long live Ty Dennis - the man with the rhythm - no vowels, just rhythm...

PK

Certainly, nostalgia is force w/ me to see John on stage with Ray and Robby, but I have nothing against Ty being the skin-pounder for "Riders" for Ty is truly "the Monster" and deserves his place w/ the new Doors.

Ty Dennis is an awesome deummer and an awesome man!
Peace,
M-B