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Doors to Tour with British Frontman
By: Arifa Akbar - The Independent - London
July 6th 2002 7:56am
THE LEGENDARY rock group the Doors appear to have solved the
problem of replacing the irreplaceable. They are to announce dates for a tour of the United States and
Europe next spring, their first in 30 years, and there are also
plans for a studio album. Jim Morrison, the wayward, charismatic
singer who died in 1971 aged 27, will be replaced by Ian Astbury,
who fronted the 1980s British rock band the Cult. Fans might also have to do without the drummer John Densmore, who
may be advised against joining the tour because of poor health. A
"world class" drummer has been lined up as a replacement. The tour is the brainchild of Densmore and the other two
remaining band members, the keyboard player, Ray Manzarek, and the
guitarist, Robby Krieger. The trio are writing material for the
release of the band's first album since 1972, which will be recorded
after the live shows. According to the Doors' official website, Manzarek, Krieger and
Densmore will stage their initial reunion show on 6 September at
California Motor Speedway on the outskirts of Los Angeles. The
Doors' last concert was in September 1972, 14 months after Morrison
was found dead in a Paris hotel room. The cause of death was given
as heart problems aggravated by alcohol. The Doors had been one of the most memorable bands of the 1960s,
best known for tracks such as "Light My Fire" and "Riders on the
Storm", and for Morrison's hypnotic stage presence. The singer
gained cult status during his lifetime and fans flock to his grave
at the Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris to the present day. Between
10,000 and 20,000 people gathered there on the 30th anniversary of
his death. The surviving band members have played only twice in public since
splitting up, once when they were joined by the Pearl Jam singer,
Eddie Vedder, in 1993, and again for the music TV channel VH1 last
year. The Doors produced six albums from 1967 to 1971, and the
remaining members released two albums after Morrison died, with
Manzarek on vocals. In addition to Astbury on lead vocals, a number of "special guest
vocalists" and other musicians are due to take part in the tour. Leading article, page 18 COMEBACKS BANDS WHO COULDN'T RESIST AN ENCORE The Who Provided the soundtrack to Sixties Mod London and spent the
Seventies blasting stadiums at record volumes. They were devastated
by Keith Moon's death in 1978 and split in 1982. Reformed for Live
Aid in 1985 and staged a full comeback four years later. Continuing
a world tour, despite the recent death of the bassist John
Entwistle. The Sex Pistols Creative output ended in 1979 with the death of Sid Vicious and
the band were wound up in the courts 10 years later. Announcing a
1996 comeback tour, Johnny Rotten said: "We have a common cause and
it's your money." Tried to trade on their 1977 silver jubilee
greatness at this year's celebrations. The Grateful Dead "The Grateful Dead is no more," declared the band after a heart
attack killed Gerry Garcia in 1995. However they plan to play at a
festival in Wisconsin, provoking fears in the state of an invasion
of "deadheads", their loyal and ageing band of followers. Roxy Music Dominated the 1970s British glam scene, but packed up the spandex
in 1983 to pursue solo careers. Reformed for a tour last year. Supertramp Formed in 1969, they encapsulated the spirit of 1970s
transatlanticism and MOR. In 1996 they reunited under the band's
founder, Rick Davies, to tour Europe and America.
(C) 2002 The Independent - London. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved
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