The Doors, doing something great, made the front row available to anyone who purchased "Super Fan Pack Tickets." The price was high but included a tour shirt, backstage pass and a meet and greet with the band.

At roughly 8:15 p.m., the band took to the stage with Robby Krieger in his now nearly trademark camouflage pants on the right. Behind Robby, Angelo Barbera, bass in hand, took up his station next to the drum riser manned by Ty Dennis. Next Ian Astbury in jeans and a black shirt, tails flying, strutted to the mike stand at center stage. Ray Manzarek quietly took his place behind his keyboard. And with that the nearly 3 hour journey had begun.

The set included stunning renditions of most of The Doors’ most well- known songs including "LA. Woman," "Light My Fire," "Love Me Two Times," "Roadhouse Blues," "Break On Through," "Riders On The Storm" and a new song "Cops Talk."

Having seen The Doors 21st Century twice previously, at Fontana, CA and Barrie, ON, on the Harley-Davidson 100th Anniversary Road Tour, I thought I knew what to expect. But I was taken aback by how tight the band had become since last September. Ian's singing is much more fluid. He seems completely at ease with the material now, improvising and urging on his bandmates as well as the crowd. His stage presence is commanding and his voice was very strong at both the high and low range. He danced, he spun, he jumped upon the drum riser, he leaped from the riser to the stage and gave the performers all. At one point when his mike broke after a bit of windmilling he strode to Robby's and without missing a beat finished the song to the crowd’s cheers.There is, on the bottom end, a rock solid rhythm laid down expertly by Angelo and Ty. That they have played together in Robby's band is evident in the precision with which they cover the material. Ty seemed not the least bit out of place as he made what had been John Densmore's place alone, his own, with brilliant runs and tight fills. Angelo seems very satisfied to anchor the sound. And as Ray said, "He takes the place of my tired left hand that used to be on the keyboard bass" and he did so flawlessly. When he got the chance to solo he showed that he was more than up for the test as his fingers ranged up and down the neck on all twenty-two frets. To see Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger tearing through "Roadhouse Blues" or "LA Woman," trading licks back in forth in front of a live audience, is something that I would urge any fan of The Doors music to witness. Robby's flamenco guitar on the intro to "Spanish Caravan" only hinted at the intricate sonic webs he weaved over the fretboard as he put on a clinic in the style. Robby's playing was as good as I have ever seen it, live or recorded. He was all over the fretboard. The eerie sounds he produced with his slide on "Moonlight Drive" were chilling. And when it came to straight ahead rockers he burned through a lightning series of blues riffs that had the crowd on their feet.

Ray Manzarek showed that he alone could claim the title of "Rock Keyboard King." If anyone doesn't know the opening progression to "Light My Fire" or "Break On Through" they have been under a rock for the last 37 years. His playing was fantastic as he played back and forth over the keyboard in styles ranging from boogie-woogie to classical with a healthy dose of hard driving rock thrown in for good measure. When Ray was soloing back and forth with Robby it showed that they were having a good time. And by the way, the crowd sang out the lyrics to all the old tunes showing that they were also glad to see this reunion. Some of the highlights included the call and response segment of "Roadhouse Blues" when Ian sang "Well I woke up this morning" he was met with a very loud "And I got myself a beer" he repeated the line several times and was greeted with a louder chorus every time. During "Back Door Man" a large screen behind the band showed a slide show tribute to various blues artists.

The concert ended on a rather odd note as fans started hopping onto the stage to join some people dancing in the wings. In moments the entire stage was covered by a sea of bodies. In the front row it got a little scary as the people behind us tried their best to reach the stage by climbing over whatever or whoever was in their way. Being one of the people in the way, it was all I could do to keep myself and the woman next to me upright. Thankfully it was all over in a few minutes.

Ray Manzarek, despite his talent being downplayed and his objectives being questioned in a Detroit Free Press article, showed why anyone making comparisons between The Doors 1965-1972 and The Doors 21st Century, is ignorant at best. Ray played as if he were doing just what he has said all along he wanted to do, play the music of The Doors again live for the fans and the new generation. And if money is his motivation, God bless him, for as one fan of the music I am just glad to see it performed live by one-half of The Doors. If that keeps the music and message alive more power to them. This is not the past and does not pretend to be. Instead it is a very talented group of individuals who want to bring the music of The Doors and The Doors 21st Century to audiences across this country and world; to audiences who seem able to forgive Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger for Jim Morrison dying July 3rd 1971.

After the show other fans and I were able to meet with Ray, Robby and Ian backstage. They signed autographs and took pictures with fans—a very cool and memorable way to end a great night of great music.