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DID YOU KNOW ?

The Doors of the 21st Century

In September 2002, Harley-Davidson organized a mini festival for the brand's centenary. On the poster is a mysterious group: "The Doors Of The 21st Century"...

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The typology of the famous logo is the same, the mention "...of the 21th century" appears smaller. To be mistaken, it feels like being back in the heart of the 60's. The event is a success, the group is preparing for a world tour!

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Under this mysterious formation presenting itself as "The DOORS of the 21st century", hide in truth Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger (Keyboardist and Guitarist of the DOORS) accompanied by British vocalist Ian Astbury (The Cult) and drummer Stewart Copeland (The Police) , replaced following a bad fall by the young Ty Dennis.

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The problem ? Neither Jim Morrison, nor John Densmore, the original drummer of DOORS are present! Densmore having initially refused the invitation for health reasons, will subsequently decline by ethical choice. Too bad, the decision is made to go up the DOORS without him...

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After multiple Live albums, the DVD "LA Woman Live" was released in 2003, the latter being the recording of a concert of the tour in support of the album of the same name, as it should have been presented, this never having taken place at the time due to Morrison's untimely death.

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On stage, Ian Astbury wears leather pants, sports a pearl necklace and Jim Morrison's haircut, even his gestures are close to those of the "Lizard King".

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Too much for John Densmore! In July 2005, he sued his former comrades, although he was not opposed to his former friends playing DOORS music, he found it abnormal to use the name "THE DOORS" without the presence by Jim Morrison. Against all odds, Densmore, supported by the Morrison and Courson families, won the proceedings.

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"The Doors Of The 21st Century" rename themselves "D21C" then "Riders On The Storm", despite an appeal request, the Supreme Court of California confirms its decision in 2008, Manzarek and Krieger can use the mention "members of DOORS" or "Former DOORS" but have no right to play under the DOORS name.

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Finally, Astbury and Copeland having made the choice to jump ship before the arrival of the troubles, the two musicians of the original group continued to play with other singers and musicians and under other names until the death of Ray in may 2013.

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John Densmore, will publish a book (Slamming doors, the tumultuous legacy of Jim Morrison) chronicling the affair and in which he writes with an open heart to his old friends, asking them to: "not sully the legacy of Jim Morrison. ", recalling the time the group made its only deal without Jim's presence, namely the sale of the rights to use "Light my Fire" for an advertisement by the car manufacturer Buick, facts that Morrison himself took for granted. a real betrayal. Fortunately, Densore reconciled with Ray Manzarek a few weeks before his death and appeared more in public alongside Robby Krieger for several years now...

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"The Doors of the 21st Century" had made a remarkable passage in the Parisian capital, going to the Père Lachaise cemetery before giving a concert at the Zénith de Paris on December 9, 2003, the day after Jim Morrison's birthday. Maybe you were there?

The Doors
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