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Reuters,
Tuesday, February 4, 2003
Former Doors Drummer Sues Bandmates Over Reunion
Dean Goodman
LOS ANGELES – A reunion concert by two former members of 1960s band
The Doors has sparked a lawsuit by a third member, who says they
can call themselves "The Windows, The Hinges," but not
"The Doors."
Drummer John Densmore filed a legal action in
Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday charging breach of
contract, trademark infringement and unfair competition against
keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger.
Manzarek and Krieger have joined forces with singer
Ian Astbury, formerly of 1980s rock band The Cult, and drummer Stewart
Copeland, formerly of rock trio The Police, to play a concert in
Los Angeles on Friday.
"I'm sad and hurt that my former bandmates
are misusing the logo and the name, confusing people," Densmore,
58, told Reuters in an interview. 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," he said. Manzarek, 63, countered
in a separate interview that Densmore's suit was "frivolous,"
and that he and Krieger, 57, were billing themselves as "The
Doors, 21st Century."
Densmore said he will not prevent Friday's show
from going ahead at the Universal Amphitheater near Hollywood, because
he does not want to alienate hardcore fans who do not care who's
on stage. He has no desire to play with his former bandmates, but
would not rule out a reunion down the road.
The issue of control over a band's name pops up
frequently, but mainly concerns fraudulent versions of old soul
groups like The Platters and The Drifters. In the case of The Doors,
the name and logo are owned by a partnership of the three survivors
and the estates of Morrison and his wife, Pamela Courson. Densmore
said each member of the Doors has veto power over the other three,
a concept arranged by Morrison soon after the band formed in Venice,
California back in 1965.
The suit also names Astbury and Copeland, whom
Densmore said 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?"
Copeland was drafted last summer when Densmore
bowed out of a reunion show near Los Angeles partly because of tinnitus,
an ear complaint that has since healed, and partly on principle.
Densmore said the elderly parents of Morrison were "livid"
about the reunion show, but have not joined his lawsuit since the
father of their attorney died last weekend. Densmore said he had
held frequent telephone conversations with Krieger over the past
few months begging him to change the name, to no avail.
Densmore said he is "slightly alienated"
from Manzarek because of a widely published essay Densmore wrote
condemning the use of rock music in commercials.
Manzarek said he has no problem with the use of
rock 'n' roll to promote products that can help the environment
or the economy.
Daily
Variety, Wednesday, February 5, 2003
Drummer Sues To Close Doors
Janet Shprintz
John Densmore, drummer of The Doors, has sued the two other living
members of the band over unauthorized use of the band's name and
logo just days before they are scheduled to reunite and perform
at the Universal Amphitheater.
Densmore is suing Ray Manzarek and Robbie Krieger,
alleging breach of contract; violation of the Lanham Act, which
protects trademarks; and unfair competition. Suit seeks injunctive
relief and monetary damages for the use of The Doors name and the
use of the distinctive logo. Also named as defendant in the suit
are singer Ian Astbury, formerly of The Cult, and drummer Stewart
Copeland, formerly of The Police.
Manzarek, Krieger, Astbury and Copeland comprise
"The Doors Of The 21st Century", as they are calling themselves.
Tom Vitorino, manager of The Doors Of The 21st Century, issued a
statement saying, "We had no knowledge of this situation and
have no comment at this time."
"I want to get the word out that it's misleading
to call them The Doors," Densmore told Daily Variety, noting
he had no problem with his two bandmates identifying themselves
as former members of The Doors. "I'm sad and hurt that they
misused our name and logo. I've been trying to get them to change
the name, but they've been very slow," Densmore added. "The
guys replacing me and Jim (Morrison) are excellent musicians, but
it's just not The Doors. It's no disrespect to Ian, but I don't
like him filling Jim's leather pants."
According to the complaint, filed Tuesday in L.A.
Superior Court, a series of agreements stipulated the four original
band members would share equally in the exploitation of the music
and that no individual member would have the right to use the name
The Doors. Business decisions required unanimity, giving each member
veto power over any use of the name. The suit cites a 1966 written
agreement and a 1971 agreement, following the death of lead singer
Morrison, as well as two oral agreements.
Manzarek and Krieger re-formed the act last year
for a performance at a Harley Davidson event in Fontana, California.
Densmore was said to have bowed out due to ear problems and was
replaced by Copeland.
The lawsuit is the culmination of years of animosity
among the band members. Densmore repeatedly vetoed the use of Doors
music in commercials, putting him at odds with Manzarek. Last year,
he penned an article in the Nation explaining that he refused to
license the music to Apple Computer and other companies because
it violated the band's spirit; that caused a rift between him and
Manzarek. "Let's just say I don't want to 'break on through'
to another deodorant," Densmore said.
Within the last six months, Densmore learned that
Manzarek and Krieger intended to tour with Astbury and Copeland.
"A few years ago, the three of us played VH1 with other artists,
and that made sense to me," Densmore said, but he objected
to touring with a reconstituted band. Densmore also dispelled statements
that he was unable to play because he had injured his ears, saying
he had long since recovered.
According to the complaint, the new band is being
advertised as The Doors for concerts in Las Vegas and at the Universal
Amphitheater. They recently performed as The Doors on "The
Tonight Show With Jay Leno." "It makes me look like a
disposable sideman," Densmore said.
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