Compiled by Sara Perry
Doors fans of all ages have taken notice of the pending lawsuit filed by
John Densmore against the use of 'The Doors' name. Every fan has the right
to an opinion and it is not my intention to discredit anyone but, to ask for
your help in determining the final outcome of this case. For those of you that
keep up with Doors news I'm sure you have seen the debates between John Densmore
and Ray Manzarek published in news and magazine articles over the years. It
is unfortunate that the current disagreements have landed in Los Angeles
Civil Court with a hearing date set for April 21, 2003. The forthcoming verdict
will be decided by the facts and evidence presented in the case. Using the public information that I have gathered for you below, how would you rule this case?
The next link is from the Los Angeles Superior Court
including the actual case summary. Additional information regarding Civil court
procedures in the state of California can be found at the Los Angeles
Superior Court website.
The case summary is updated to reflect additional filings and will
eventually include a verdict. To review the case summary or to see updated
information as it is filed with the court, please go to:
John Densmore, in a complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court, claimed that
the Doors' original partnership agreement and a 1971 agreement made after
the death of lead singer Jim Morrison called for unanimity on partnership
decisions and did not allow individual band members to use the group name.
Despite this, according to the suit, original Doors members Ray Manzarek
and Robby Krieger have teamed with Ian Astbury and Stewart Copeland to
perform as The Doors. After Densmore objected, Manzarek and Krieger said
they would indicate only that they were former members of the band, the
suit said. Instead, they have used the name and were introduced as The
Doors by Jay Leno on The Tonight Show. The suit claimed the estates of
Morrison and his late wife, Pam Courson, also object to the use of the
name. The complaint seeks an injunction against the use of the band name
and logo and unspecified damages. Entertainment Law Digest (2-19-03)
What follows is a list of various quotes from newspapers and
magazine articles found on the Internet (in date order)
with regards to what the plaintiff and defendants have said in the media. Each quote is followed by a link to the source where
the quote was found. Since I have filtered the articles for pertinent quotes a link to the source
is provided so you can review the articles in their full written form.
Defendant: Following last fall's release of the tribute album Stoned
Immaculate: The Music Of The Doors and an episode of Storytellers, there
was talk that the three surviving members of the Doors-guitarist Robby
Krieger, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, and drummer John Densmore-might reunite
for a series of live shows, possibly with some of the all-star contributors
to Stoned Immaculate. Krieger tells Launch that such a project is still
possible, but says personal relationships between his two bandmates have so
far hampered such an outing. "You know, the main problem is John and Ray
haven't been getting along too well since Ray's book came out," Krieger
says. "He said some stupid things about John because John said a few things
about Ray in his book. So, boy, he (Manzarek) got back at him (Densmore).
And then John has tinnitus, which is that ringing in your ears, so he's
been, like, afraid to really play anything loud."
Source: News-Robby Krieger Says Feud Hampering Doors Reunion - Launch
(4-27-01)
Defendant: "No, John Densmore can't play," says Manzarek. Say again? "John
Densmore can't play. His ears have gone bad. He has tinnitus. He can't play
rock 'n' roll. The cymbals are too loud." ...Here's the way they are
billing it, per Manzarek: "It's the Doors for the 21st Century. Or, as we like to
say, the Doors have retooled for the 21st century." So there you have it --
the Doors, refined and retooled for the... "No, not refined. Re-tooled for
the 21st century. So put that in the article. "Doors Retool for the 21st
Century." Uh, all right then. Doors. Re. Tool. But the question you're
asking
-- and it's a fine question -- is, well, why? "The stars were in proper
alignment for the Doors to get back together again," says Manzarek, doing
his level best to fritter away any and all respect he earned as possibly
his old band's biggest talent and the producer of X's best work. "We've
entered the 21st century and the new age is approaching, and we badly need
a glimpse of the new age." Um... "Just put it down like that -- you know,
the
new age is approaching and we need a glimpse of the new age very badly in
this age of darkness and war and destruction of the environment." All right,
let's rephrase the question. Exactly how many Doors have to be absent
before they become a Doors tribute band, albeit a really convincing Doors
tribute band? "The Doors are not a Doors tribute band," says Manzarek. "If
you want to see a Jim Morrison imitation, go see Wild Child. If you want to
see the Doors, the new Doors" -- say it with him -- "retooled for the 21st
century, come and see the Doors. Ian Astbury is singing Doors songs as Ian
Astbury. He's not doing a Jim Morrison imitation. He is Ian Astbury, with
all the power that he has." But why Astbury, if not because he can do a
hell of a Jim Morrison? "Ian is a greater singer, has a shamanistic quality
to him, has Buddhist sensibilities, and is an advocate of Native American
rights." So... "So he shares the same sensibilities as Jim Morrison." Uh,
right. But he's not Jim Morrison. And without Jim (and, oh yeah, John, uh,
Densmore), it's not really the Doors, is it? I mean, the only place they're
going to hold a real Doors reunion is at Pere-Lachaise, right? "Well,
that's fine, then don't come," says Manzarek. "All I can say is don't come.
If you don't want to hear us play 'Light My Fire.' 'Riders On The Storm.'
and 'Roadhouse Blues.' Don't come!" Hey, he said it not me. Source: House
Of Blues (Jim Ladd's Living Room), Hollywood, California (9-03-02)
Defendant: Manzarek tells Launch, "Here's the new Doors lineup. This is the
permanent new Doors lineup: Ray Manzarek on keyboards, Robby Krieger on
guitar, Stewart Copeland of the Police on drums, and Ian Astbury of the
Cult on lead vocals. That's the permanent line-up." Source: News-Manzarek
Says Copeland & Astbury Are Permanent Members Of The Doors - Launch (9-12-02)
Defendant: "The tragedy and loss of Jim Morrison weighs heavily on all of
us," Manzarek said at the time, "but this ain't no tribute band."
Source: Doors Re-Light Fire - Rolling Stone - (9-13-02)
Defendant: Manzarek told Launch that things are looking grim for Densmore,
in terms of his future as a musician: "Tinnitus, man, you can't... You know,
there's nothing you can do about it. It doesn't get better. It can only get
worse--that's the hell of that thing. You'd say, 'Well, you know, when it's
better, you're gonna play, man.' Well, it doesn't get better. The nature of
that problem is that it can only get worse." Source: News-Doors Drummer
Sidelined By Hearing Disorder - Launch (9-17-02)
Defendant: "Jim Morrison would be very happy with this regrouping of The
Doors," keyboardist Ray Manzarek told the Associated Press. "Because these
are Jim Morrison's words, and Jim Morrison's words are alive and being sung
to an audience one more time. And he was a poet, and a poet wants to be
known for his words." ... Manzarek also contends that Ian is not trying to
imitate Morrison in any way, shape or form. "Ian is not doing Jim Morrison.
Ian is doing Ian Astbury," Manzarek said. "For some strange gathering
together of the fates, Ian has been put into our laps." Source: The Doors
Slam Shut On Critics - Arrow93 Grapevine (2-04-03)
Plaintiff: According to Densmore, he contacted Krieger and asked him to
change the name, and though the guitarist agreed, the band only tweaked its
handle. "I've had to give them a wakeup call," Densmore says. "I'm not
after money. I could have had an injunction and stopped the concert. The
(Morrison) estate and I could have said give us half the money. The claim
is written lightly. I didn't write injunction. If they don't make it real
clear, I don't know, then we'll get heavier." ... The band continued to play
as
the Doors, even recently appearing on The Tonight Show, introduced by Jay
Leno as "the Doors." The band did recently tweak the name to "Doors for the
21st Century," but Densmore says his former mates are using the iconic font
from the first album, and that the "for the 21st Century" tends to be
undetectable in any promotional materials... Despite Morrison's charismatic
role as frontman, the band was hatched with each member holding an equal
share, a system that continued after his death, with estate (and that of his
wife
Pamela Courson) filling one-fourth of the business. "It's all completely
four
parts, equal," Densmore says. "It's a sweet little democracy that Jim
orchestrated with no lawyers, in a garage in Venice, California. And he
included veto power in case anybody didn't like what went down. I'm just
trying to keep the integrity of what we did a long time ago." Another point
of
contention is that Densmore has been playing with a new jazz ensemble,
Tribal
Jazz, and feels his reputation as a drummer has been undermined by an
implied
expendability due to the Doors touring without him. "The performances and
advertising by the defendants as the Doors has resulted in substantial
confusion
to fans," read the complaint filed by his attorney, Jerome Mandel. "That
there
has been a drummer playing with that band who is not John Densmore has
minimized and diminished the reputation and stature of Densmore by causing
people to believe that he was not, and is not, an integral and respected
part of the
Doors."
Source: Densmore Tries To Close Doors - Rolling Stone - (2-04-03)
Defendant: "I'm not trying to be Jim Morrison," said Astbury, who saw
worldwide success with the 80's British hard rock band the Cult. "I'm
approaching this like a recital of classic material. I've been mesmerized
by the music ever since I saw 'Apocalypse Now' (in which the Doors' Oedipal
odyssey 'The End' was used prominently). It's the level of musicianship and
Jim's great weight of character. This level of playing doesn't exist very
often today." Manzarek said the idea was not to find a Morrison tribute
singer but a performer who could bring his own strengths to the shamanistic
role played by Val Kilmer in Oliver Stone's 1991 film "The Doors." For the
record Manzarek and Krieger hated the film, loved Kilmer. "Ian and Jim come
from the same mystical place and I think that's what makes Ian
Morrison-esque but without imitating him," Manzarek said. "We'll never
replace Jim. But we're playing rock 'n' roll for rock fans and what we're
trying to do is capture that moment of intensity on stage and project it
out to the audience." ... "I think Jim would be happy we're playing as the
Doors again," Krieger said. "We've waited a long time and the only thing
that matters now is how well we all play together."
Source: Mojo Rising - San Bernardino County Sun (2-04-03)
Defendant: "He's (Densmore) got to do what he feels he's got to do," said
Manzarek. "He was asked to play. Robby, Tom (Vitorino, the band's manager),
Ian and I -- we all asked John to play. He refused every time." Manzarek
said he still hoped Densmore would change his mind. "We want John to come
and play with us any time he feels like it," said Manzarek. "Come on John
join us and play." ... Manzarek said no one expects the new lineup to pass
for
The Doors, or for Astbury to pass for Morrison, who died at 27 in 1971. "I
don't think anyone out there is going to be confused that maybe Jim
Morrison will appear," he said. "I think Jim would be the first one to say,
'Go do it. Sing my words. Let people hear it the way we used to do it in a
live situation.'" ... Manzarek said the spirit of the band is alive and
well.
"It's interesting that The Doors reconvened as we are about to go to war,"
he said. "The '60s changed everything, yet here we are still fighting that
battle. We're here to help." Source: When are The Doors not The Doors? UPI (2-05-03)
Plaintiff: Densmore told Launch by phone that calling the group "The Doors"
misleads fans and that he is seeking to protect the legacy and the
integrity of the body of work created by all four original members. The
drummer also said that he has received telephone calls from fans and
friends regarding the tour, asking for tickets, believing he was taking
part in a reunion. Densmore made it clear he's not trying to keep the other
musicians from making music. "And I don't begrudge them to play or people
wanting to hear them play," Densmore said. "But it's, the Doors were John,
Jim, Robby and Ray, ... You know? They can say 'formerly members of the
Doors,' you know, but Ray, Robby, Ian, Stewart, and Fred [Doe] is not...the
Doors." The complaint states: "The performances and advertising by the
defendants
as 'the Doors' has resulted in substantial confusion to fans. That the
defendants have held themselves out as the Doors, and that there has been a
drummer playing with that band who is not (Densmore) has minimized and
diminished the reputation and stature of (Densmore) by causing people to
believe that he was not, and is not, an integral and respected part of the
Doors band, or is one member who easily can be replaced by another."
Defendant: Management for Manzarek, Krieger, Astbury and Copeland as the
Doors issued a response, which said, "We had no knowledge of this
situation, and have no comment at this time." Source: Doors Drummer Densmore
Files Injunction To Stop Use Of Band Name - Launch (2-05-03)
Plaintiff: "I'm sad and hurt that my former bandmates are misusing the logo
and the name, confusing people." ... He wants them to bill themselves as
"former members of the Doors. It could be Windows, the Hinges, I don't care
what it is." ... The suit also names Astbury and Copeland, whom (he) says he
loves as musicians, "but it's not the Doors. That's my point here... It
shouldn't be called the Doors if there's someone other than Jim singing,
y know?"
Defendant: Suit is "frivolous."
Source: Doors Drummer Sues - News24 BackPage (2-05-03)
Defendant: Manzarek explained why Densmore hadn't taken part in last year's
shows and wasn't a part of this year's new Doors concert tour.
"Unfortunately, John Densmore's got tinnitus in his ears and wasn't able to
play because of ringing in his ears and his ear problems, so we called
Stewart Copeland from the Police and Stewart said, 'love to do it.'"
Plaintiff: "Old news," Densmore said. "I had a problem with my ears a
couple of years ago on this VH1 Show, and last summer they did this Harley
Davidson concert and I said, 'My ears aren't quite healed, but the main
thing here is I'm uncomfortable with one guy filling Jim's leather pants."
Densmore added that he was shocked to learn of this years full-scale Doors
tour. "Whether I could play or not, they go on," Densmore said. "They
played this Harley Davidson gig that I couldn't play and then, I read--I
didn't get a phone call--in Billboard music industry magazine that the new
guys are playing from here on out. Wow, OK, I'm publicly fired, or
something here. So fine. Then I got on the phone, 'change the name, change
the name,' you know?" Source: Densmore Slams New Doors, Says Hearing
Problem Is 'Old News' - Launch (2-06-03)
Defendant: "It is The Doors for the 21st century; there's a new millennium
here," Krieger said. "And there's a need for good music to be heard. That's
why we decided to get this whole thing back together after 30 years."
Source: New era swings open for The Doors - Associated Press
Ventura County Star (2-06-03)
Defendant: In a reaction to the lawsuit Manzarek recently told the
publication Variety that the name of the newly formed band had been used
with Densmore's blessing: "John has an open invitation," Manzarek said.
"Everybody asked him and he said, 'No, my ears (are too damaged).' Then I
said, 'Why not play hand percussion?' and John said, 'No way. I'm not a
sideman.' Instead he then chose to sue us. He gave Robby his blessing (to
use the name)." Manzarek also said that he and Krieger were fully entitled
to use the band's name. "This is ridiculous. The guy who put together the
band and plays keyboards is performing with the guy who wrote Light My
Fire, Love Me Two Times and Love Her Madly.If we're not The Doors, then who
is?" Source: Doors Slam On Densmore's Suit - Arrow93 Grapevine (2-14-03)
Defendant: "Well I assume we have John's blessings as far," Manzarek told
AP. "You know, John's got bad ears and he's got tinnitus and can't play
this loud rock 'n' roll stuff and he'd blow his brains out if he tried to,
it'd just be too loud for him. So, John has said fine, go ahead." Source:
Roadhouse Blues - Entertainment Weekly (2-05-03)
Defendant: "People say, 'Don't f**k with the magic," Krieger says of the
new lineup. "But the gig worked so well that we decided to see if we could
keep
it together." "The [new] music is different from the Doors, but decidedly
Doors-like," Mazarek adds: "We're going in various directions musically."
Source: The 21st Century Doors - Venice Magazine (undated)
Defendant: For their part, the Doors released this statement: "Since
December
2001, John Densmore has repeatedly been asked to participate in the band.
He has declined. We will not discuss the merit of John Densmore's lawsuit -
that is better left to the courts. We trust and love our fans and know that
they will draw their own conclusions after all of the facts have been
presented." Source: New Doors A Unique Entity, Says Stewart Copeland
92.9 KISM Classic Rock Report (undated)
You can view an event poster for "The Doors 21st Century" at Next Stage at
Grand Prairie's website. The poster depicts the Doors logo (slightly changed) with the
background of the 1967 Doors' album cover, "Strange Days." This show is
scheduled for March 29, 2003.
"We're a partnership, artistically and financially. We share equally. In
the beginning, a lot of it was to keep the unit together. We have a very
different vision of reality, different points to make." - Jim Morrison
(1969) Source: The Doors In Their Own Words by Andrew Doe and John Tobler
(p.75)
The articles listed above are by no means an end to the publicity
concerning the current lawsuit as the press will feed off these stories for
months to come. Any information that you have would be welcomed and
appreciated. For those interested, please give your opinion on how
you would rule the outcome of the lawsuit. For or against, it will be
interesting to hear what you have to say.
http://www.lasuperiorcourt.org/civilCaseSummary
You will have to insert the case number BC289730 to gain access to the case summary.
http://www.enlawdigest.com/story.cfm?storyID=2557
http://launch.yahoo.com/read/news.asp?contentID=193279
http://www.cultcentral.com/Tours02s/020903.html
http://launch.yahoo.com/read/news.asp?contentID=210428
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/newsarticle.asp?nid=16653
http://launch.yahoo.com/read/news.asp?contentID=210479
http://www.arrowfm.com/grapevine/stories/02-04doors.shtml
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/newsarticle.asp?nid=17490&cf=643
http://u.sbsun.com/Stories/0,1413,216%257E24307%257E1157858,00.html?search=filter
http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?storyID=20030205-020059-5210r
http://launch.yahoo.com/read/news.asp?contentID=212145
http://www.news24.com/News24/Backpage/HotGossip/0,5583,2-1343-1344_1316206,00.html
http://launch.yahoo.com/read/news.asp?contentID=212156
http://www.insidevc.com/cr/cda/article_print/1,1250,VCS_156_1723979,00.html
http://www.arrowfm.com/grapevine/stories/02-14doors.shtml
http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,419491~4~0~ex-doorsdrummersuesreunited,00.htm
http://www.venicemag.com/features/doors.htm
http://www.kism.com/classic_rock_report.asp
http://www.nextstage.com/event_detail.asp?id=56
