Manzarek-Krieger
Encyclopedia
Manzarek–Krieger is an American rock band formed by Ray Manzarek
and Robby Krieger
of The Doors
in 2002. They have also been known as The Doors of the 21st Century, D21C, and Riders on the Storm, but have recently been using the moniker Manzarek–Krieger or Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of The Doors for legal reasons. They perform Doors material exclusively.
of The Cult
, with Angelo Barbera
from Krieger's band on bass. At their first concert, the group announced that drummer John Densmore
would not perform; it was later reported that he was unable to play because he suffered from tinnitus
. Densmore was initially replaced by Stewart Copeland
of The Police but after Copeland broke his arm falling off a bicycle, the arrangement ended in mutual lawsuits, and he was replaced by Ty Dennis
, who was the drummer with Krieger's band. Densmore subsequently claimed that he had in fact not been invited to take part in the reunion. The newly configured group performed on several TV shows including The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn.
It was reported that both Morrison's family and that of Pamela Courson
had joined Densmore in seeking to prevent Manzarek and Krieger from using The Doors' name. and in July 2005 Densmore and the Morrison estate won a permanent injunction, causing the new band to switch to the name D21C. The group then played under the name Riders on the Storm after the title of a song by The Doors released in 1971 as the last track on the final Morrison-era album L.A. Woman
. They are allowed to play under names such as "former Doors" and "members of The Doors".
In July 2007, Densmore said that he would not rejoin The Doors unless it was fronted by Eddie Vedder
. Densmore said, "I play with Jim. If there's someone of that level, OK. I'm not gonna join them with Ian. That's not to diss Ian, he's a good singer - but he's no Jim Morrison. Eddie Vedder? My God, there's a singer." Vedder previously performed three Doors songs with Manzarek, Krieger, and Densmore at the 1993 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
induction ceremony.
Densmore has been steadfast in refusing to license The Doors′ music for use in television commercials, including an offer of $15 million by Cadillac
to lease the song "Break on Through (To the Other Side)
", feeling that that would be in violation of the spirit in which the music was created. Densmore wrote about this subject for The Nation:
Ray Manzarek was quoted as saying, "We're all getting older. We should, the three of us, be playing these songs because, hey, the end is always near. Morrison was a poet, and above all, a poet wants his words heard." When Morrison was asked what he would most like to be remembered for, he responded, "My words, man, my words."
Manzarek described the band's sound as Bauhaus
music. "It's clean, it's pure. There is a keyboard on one side, a guitar on the other, drums in the middle, a bass line underneath that and the singer up front ... you can hear the words. That's one of the reasons why The Doors' sound is still important today. It's perfectly modern. That's what we wanted."
In August 2008, the California Supreme Court decided not to hear the case involving Krieger and Manzarek's use of the name The Doors in performances over the objections of Densmore and the Morrison estate, so the judgment against Krieger and Manzarek stands.
Since 2009, Manzarek and Krieger have been touring using the names Manzarek-Krieger and Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of The Doors.
who had worked with Krieger previously in The Butts Band
. On February 16, 2007, Ian Astbury quit Riders on the Storm and relaunched his old band, The Cult. On March 14, 2007, Brett Scallions
, former lead singer of the band Fuel
, was announced as the new lead singer of Riders on the Storm.
In May 2010, Miljenko Matijevic of Steelheart
was announced as their new singer for the US tour. On August 3, 2010, the band announced on their Facebook
page that Matijevic would no longer be fronting the band. David Brock of Doors tribute band Wild Child (not to be confused with the singer of Hawkwind
) replaced him. In a recent interview with Billboard, Ray stated "We've always been kind of afraid to ask him (Dave Brock)to play with us, because people say, 'Oh, you're using a tribute singer. Now you're your own tribute band,' " Krieger explains. "But then Journey got that karaoke singer (Arnel Pineda) and everybody loved it, so we said, 'If they can do that, we can use David. And he's been great. That's not to say the other guys (the Cult's Ian Astbury, Fuel's Brent Scallions) didn't do a good job, but I think when people come to see Ray and I, they want to see us do the Doors music as it should be done, so why not use a guy who really is an expert? He knows the songs better than we do, really."
Krieger says he and Manzarek also "talk about" recording some new music and even have songs they began when Astbury was working with them. "I think it would be a lot better if (Densmore) would be on it," Krieger says. "We do have some songs that we've worked up. We're just waiting for the right time, but we'll definitely be doing that." He and Manzarek are also looking ahead towards a full-scale world tour to celebrate the Doors' 50th anniversary in 2017.
, Bolivia
, France
, Israel
, Russia
, Italy
, Czech Republic
, the Netherlands
and Austria
in 2011.
In most of the countries they just play one concert, but in Mexico, they played six, in different cities. Forrest Penner subbed on guitar for some Mexico and Bolivia dates when Robby fell ill and Alex Lora
of El Tri
sang lead vocals on Light My Fire
for the March 9, 2011 show. Ray's brother Rick Manczarek of Rick & the Ravens made several guest appearances on guitar throughout the tour.
studio album which the original Doors never undertook due to the death of front man Jim Morrison
. Additionally, Ian Astbury recorded the Doors song "Touch Me" in the studio with all three of the surviving Doors members for the Stoned Immaculate: The Music of the Doors
tibute CD in 2000. This track remains the closest thing to an official studio track from the reformed group to date. The Doors song "Wild Child" was also recorded by Astbury for the album with his band the Cult, along with Ray Manzarek. There have not been any other studio tracks recorded with any of the other lead singers since Astbury's departure.
Officially released live recordings as The Doors of the 21st Century through DiscLive:
Former members
Special Guests
Touring Members
Ray Manzarek
Raymond Daniel Manzarek, Jr., better known as Ray Manzarek , is an American musician, singer, producer, film director, writer, co-founder and keyboardist of The Doors from 1965 to 1973, Nite City from 1977–1978 and Manzarek-Krieger since 2001.Manzarek is listed #4 on Digital Dreamdoor's "100...
and Robby Krieger
Robby Krieger
Robert Alan "Robby" Krieger is an American rock guitarist and songwriter. He was the guitarist in The Doors, and wrote some of the band's best known songs, including "Light My Fire," "Love Me Two Times," "Touch Me," and "Love Her Madly."...
of The Doors
The Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger...
in 2002. They have also been known as The Doors of the 21st Century, D21C, and Riders on the Storm, but have recently been using the moniker Manzarek–Krieger or Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of The Doors for legal reasons. They perform Doors material exclusively.
Formation
In 2002, Manzarek and Krieger reunited and produced a new version of The Doors, called The Doors of the 21st Century. The lineup was fronted by Ian AstburyIan Astbury
Ian Astbury is an English rock musician and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist for the rock band, The Cult.-Pre-Cult:...
of The Cult
The Cult
The Cult are a British rock band that was formed in 1983. They gained a dedicated following in Britain in the mid 1980s as a post-punk band with singles such as "She Sells Sanctuary", before breaking mainstream in the United States in the late 1980s as a hard rock band with singles such as "Love...
, with Angelo Barbera
Angelo Barbera
Angelo Barbera is an American bass player best known for his work with the Robby Krieger Band and The Doors of the 21st Century.-Life and career:...
from Krieger's band on bass. At their first concert, the group announced that drummer John Densmore
John Densmore
John Paul Densmore is an American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the drummer of the rock group The Doors.-Early life and The Doors:Born in Los Angeles, Densmore attended Santa Monica City College and Cal...
would not perform; it was later reported that he was unable to play because he suffered from tinnitus
Tinnitus
Tinnitus |ringing]]") is the perception of sound within the human ear in the absence of corresponding external sound.Tinnitus is not a disease, but a symptom that can result from a wide range of underlying causes: abnormally loud sounds in the ear canal for even the briefest period , ear...
. Densmore was initially replaced by Stewart Copeland
Stewart Copeland
Stewart Armstrong Copeland is an American musician, best known as the drummer for the band The Police. During the group's extended hiatus from the mid-1980s to 2007, he played in other bands and composed soundtracks...
of The Police but after Copeland broke his arm falling off a bicycle, the arrangement ended in mutual lawsuits, and he was replaced by Ty Dennis
Ty Dennis
Ty Dennis is an American drummer best known for his work with The Doors revival band Manzarek-Krieger and the Robby Krieger Band.-Early life:...
, who was the drummer with Krieger's band. Densmore subsequently claimed that he had in fact not been invited to take part in the reunion. The newly configured group performed on several TV shows including The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn.
Legal issues with The Doors name
In February 2003, Densmore filed an injunction against his former band mates, hoping to prevent them from using the name The Doors of the 21st Century. His motion was initially denied in court and Ray Manzarek publicly stated that the invitation for Densmore to return to the group still stood.Pamela Courson
Pamela Susan Courson was the long-term companion of Jim Morrison, vocalist of The Doors. After the deaths of Morrison and Courson, her parents petitioned an out-of-state court to declare that the couple had a common-law marriage.-Early life and involvement with Morrison:Courson was born in Weed,...
had joined Densmore in seeking to prevent Manzarek and Krieger from using The Doors' name. and in July 2005 Densmore and the Morrison estate won a permanent injunction, causing the new band to switch to the name D21C. The group then played under the name Riders on the Storm after the title of a song by The Doors released in 1971 as the last track on the final Morrison-era album L.A. Woman
L.A. Woman
The band embarked on a tour to promote the album, although it would only comprise two dates. The first was held in Dallas, Texas on December 11 and reportedly went well. The second performance took place at The Warehouse in New Orleans, Louisiana, on December 12, 1970, where Morrison apparently had...
. They are allowed to play under names such as "former Doors" and "members of The Doors".
In July 2007, Densmore said that he would not rejoin The Doors unless it was fronted by Eddie Vedder
Eddie Vedder
Eddie Vedder is an American musician and singer-songwriter who is best known for being the lead singer and one of three guitarists of the alternative rock band Pearl Jam. He is widely considered a cultural icon of alternative rock.He is also involved in soundtrack work and contributes to albums...
. Densmore said, "I play with Jim. If there's someone of that level, OK. I'm not gonna join them with Ian. That's not to diss Ian, he's a good singer - but he's no Jim Morrison. Eddie Vedder? My God, there's a singer." Vedder previously performed three Doors songs with Manzarek, Krieger, and Densmore at the 1993 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
induction ceremony.
Densmore has been steadfast in refusing to license The Doors′ music for use in television commercials, including an offer of $15 million by Cadillac
Cadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
to lease the song "Break on Through (To the Other Side)
Break on Through (To the Other Side)
"Break on Through " is a song by The Doors from their debut album, The Doors. It was the first single released by the band and was unsuccessful compared to later hits, reaching only #126 in the United States...
", feeling that that would be in violation of the spirit in which the music was created. Densmore wrote about this subject for The Nation:
- People lost their virginityVirginityVirginity refers to the state of a person who has never engaged in sexual intercourse. There are cultural and religious traditions which place special value and significance on this state, especially in the case of unmarried females, associated with notions of personal purity, honor and worth...
to this music, got high for the first time to this music. I've had people say kids died in VietnamVietnamVietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
listening to this music, other people say they know someone who didn't commit suicideSuicideSuicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
because of this music.... On stage, when we played these songs, they felt mysterious and magic. That's not for rent.
Ray Manzarek was quoted as saying, "We're all getting older. We should, the three of us, be playing these songs because, hey, the end is always near. Morrison was a poet, and above all, a poet wants his words heard." When Morrison was asked what he would most like to be remembered for, he responded, "My words, man, my words."
Manzarek described the band's sound as Bauhaus
Bauhaus
', commonly known simply as Bauhaus, was a school in Germany that combined crafts and the fine arts, and was famous for the approach to design that it publicized and taught. It operated from 1919 to 1933. At that time the German term stood for "School of Building".The Bauhaus school was founded by...
music. "It's clean, it's pure. There is a keyboard on one side, a guitar on the other, drums in the middle, a bass line underneath that and the singer up front ... you can hear the words. That's one of the reasons why The Doors' sound is still important today. It's perfectly modern. That's what we wanted."
In August 2008, the California Supreme Court decided not to hear the case involving Krieger and Manzarek's use of the name The Doors in performances over the objections of Densmore and the Morrison estate, so the judgment against Krieger and Manzarek stands.
Since 2009, Manzarek and Krieger have been touring using the names Manzarek-Krieger and Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of The Doors.
Changing lineups
Angelo Barbera left the band in 2004 and was replaced by Phil ChenPhil Chen
Phil Chen is a well-known Chinese-Jamaican bassist. He was one of England's most utilized session bassists during the 1970s and 1980s, including being part of the Rod Stewart band from 1977 to 1980, but is probably best known for his later work with Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of The Doors.-Life...
who had worked with Krieger previously in The Butts Band
The Butts Band
The Butts Band was a British and American group formed by ex-Doors members John Densmore and Robby Krieger that was active from 1973-1975.-History:The Butts Band came about as a consequence of The Doors trying to find a replacement for Jim Morrison...
. On February 16, 2007, Ian Astbury quit Riders on the Storm and relaunched his old band, The Cult. On March 14, 2007, Brett Scallions
Brett Scallions
Brett Allen Scallions is an American musician. He is currently the lead vocalist for current lineup of Fuel after being the vocalist for the original incarnation of the band from 1993 to 2006. During that time, the band released multiple albums including the double platinum Something Like Human...
, former lead singer of the band Fuel
Fuel (band)
Fuel is an American rock band formed by guitarist/songwriter Carl Bell and bassist Jeff Abercrombie in 1989. Originally known as Small the Joy, they changed the group's name to Fuel sometime in 1994...
, was announced as the new lead singer of Riders on the Storm.
In May 2010, Miljenko Matijevic of Steelheart
Steelheart
Steelheart is a glam metal band based in Norwalk, Connecticut. Formed in 1990, the band is fronted by vocalist Miljenko Matijevic.- Formation :...
was announced as their new singer for the US tour. On August 3, 2010, the band announced on their Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
page that Matijevic would no longer be fronting the band. David Brock of Doors tribute band Wild Child (not to be confused with the singer of Hawkwind
Hawkwind
Hawkwind are an English rock band, one of the earliest space rock groups. Their lyrics favour urban and science fiction themes. They are also a noted precursor to punk rock and now are considered a link between the hippie and punk cultures....
) replaced him. In a recent interview with Billboard, Ray stated "We've always been kind of afraid to ask him (Dave Brock)to play with us, because people say, 'Oh, you're using a tribute singer. Now you're your own tribute band,' " Krieger explains. "But then Journey got that karaoke singer (Arnel Pineda) and everybody loved it, so we said, 'If they can do that, we can use David. And he's been great. That's not to say the other guys (the Cult's Ian Astbury, Fuel's Brent Scallions) didn't do a good job, but I think when people come to see Ray and I, they want to see us do the Doors music as it should be done, so why not use a guy who really is an expert? He knows the songs better than we do, really."
Krieger says he and Manzarek also "talk about" recording some new music and even have songs they began when Astbury was working with them. "I think it would be a lot better if (Densmore) would be on it," Krieger says. "We do have some songs that we've worked up. We're just waiting for the right time, but we'll definitely be doing that." He and Manzarek are also looking ahead towards a full-scale world tour to celebrate the Doors' 50th anniversary in 2017.
2011 World Tour
The band announced it will perform in MexicoMexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
in 2011.
In most of the countries they just play one concert, but in Mexico, they played six, in different cities. Forrest Penner subbed on guitar for some Mexico and Bolivia dates when Robby fell ill and Alex Lora
Alex Lora
José Alejandro Lora Serna , better known by his stage name Alex Lora, is a Mexican musician and composer. He has been the frontman of the Spanish rock band El Tri for over 40 years...
of El Tri
El Tri
El Tri is a Mexican rock band from Mexico City fronted by Alex Lora. Founded in 1968 as Three Souls in My Mind, the group is regarded as influential in the development of Mexican rock music....
sang lead vocals on Light My Fire
Light My Fire
"Light My Fire" is a song by The Doors which was recorded in August 1966 and released the first week of January 1967 on the Doors' debut album. Released as a single in April, it spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and one week on the Cash Box Top 100, nearly a year after...
for the March 9, 2011 show. Ray's brother Rick Manczarek of Rick & the Ravens made several guest appearances on guitar throughout the tour.
Recordings
The band has not released any official albums but occasionally offers CDs of their live shows for purchase after the shows through the DiscLive service. They released a live concert DVD in 2003 titled LA Woman Live as The Doors of the 21st Century. The DVD captured one night of their tour of The Doors L.A. WomanL.A. Woman
The band embarked on a tour to promote the album, although it would only comprise two dates. The first was held in Dallas, Texas on December 11 and reportedly went well. The second performance took place at The Warehouse in New Orleans, Louisiana, on December 12, 1970, where Morrison apparently had...
studio album which the original Doors never undertook due to the death of front man Jim Morrison
Jim Morrison
James Douglas "Jim" Morrison was an American musician, singer, and poet, best known as the lead singer and lyricist of the rock band The Doors...
. Additionally, Ian Astbury recorded the Doors song "Touch Me" in the studio with all three of the surviving Doors members for the Stoned Immaculate: The Music of the Doors
Stoned Immaculate: The Music of the Doors
Stoned Immaculate: The Music of The Doors is a tribute album dedicated to The Doors. Producer Ralph Sall gathered an assortment of new, classic and iconic artists for the record. Unusually, the surviving members of The Doors played on this "tribute" record. In addition, recordings of Jim Morrison...
tibute CD in 2000. This track remains the closest thing to an official studio track from the reformed group to date. The Doors song "Wild Child" was also recorded by Astbury for the album with his band the Cult, along with Ray Manzarek. There have not been any other studio tracks recorded with any of the other lead singers since Astbury's departure.
Officially released live recordings as The Doors of the 21st Century through DiscLive:
- Live in Hollywood, CA: "New Year's Eve" (12/31/03)
- Live in Atlanta, GA (5/1/04)
- Live in West Palm Beach, FL (5/2/04)
- Live in New York City, NY: "Live from the Five" (5/5/04)
- Live in Uncasville, CT (5/6/04)
- Live in Anaheim, CA: "Live at the House of Blues" (12/31/04)
Members
Current members- Ray ManzarekRay ManzarekRaymond Daniel Manzarek, Jr., better known as Ray Manzarek , is an American musician, singer, producer, film director, writer, co-founder and keyboardist of The Doors from 1965 to 1973, Nite City from 1977–1978 and Manzarek-Krieger since 2001.Manzarek is listed #4 on Digital Dreamdoor's "100...
– keyboards, vocals (2002–present) - Robby KriegerRobby KriegerRobert Alan "Robby" Krieger is an American rock guitarist and songwriter. He was the guitarist in The Doors, and wrote some of the band's best known songs, including "Light My Fire," "Love Me Two Times," "Touch Me," and "Love Her Madly."...
– guitar, vocals (2002–present) - Ty DennisTy DennisTy Dennis is an American drummer best known for his work with The Doors revival band Manzarek-Krieger and the Robby Krieger Band.-Early life:...
– drums (2003–present) - Phil ChenPhil ChenPhil Chen is a well-known Chinese-Jamaican bassist. He was one of England's most utilized session bassists during the 1970s and 1980s, including being part of the Rod Stewart band from 1977 to 1980, but is probably best known for his later work with Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of The Doors.-Life...
– bass (2004–present) - Dave Brock – lead vocals, tamborine (2010–present)
Former members
- Stewart CopelandStewart CopelandStewart Armstrong Copeland is an American musician, best known as the drummer for the band The Police. During the group's extended hiatus from the mid-1980s to 2007, he played in other bands and composed soundtracks...
– drums (2002–2003) - Angelo BarberaAngelo BarberaAngelo Barbera is an American bass player best known for his work with the Robby Krieger Band and The Doors of the 21st Century.-Life and career:...
– bass (2002–2004) - Ian AstburyIan AstburyIan Astbury is an English rock musician and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist for the rock band, The Cult.-Pre-Cult:...
– lead vocals (2002–2007) - Brett ScallionsBrett ScallionsBrett Allen Scallions is an American musician. He is currently the lead vocalist for current lineup of Fuel after being the vocalist for the original incarnation of the band from 1993 to 2006. During that time, the band released multiple albums including the double platinum Something Like Human...
– lead vocals (2007–2010)
Special Guests
- Rick Manczarek - guitar, whistle and percussion (2011)
- Owan Goldman - percussion (2011)
- Alex LoraAlex LoraJosé Alejandro Lora Serna , better known by his stage name Alex Lora, is a Mexican musician and composer. He has been the frontman of the Spanish rock band El Tri for over 40 years...
- lead vocals on Light My FireLight My Fire"Light My Fire" is a song by The Doors which was recorded in August 1966 and released the first week of January 1967 on the Doors' debut album. Released as a single in April, it spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and one week on the Cash Box Top 100, nearly a year after...
on March 9, 2011
Touring Members
- Miljenko Matijevic – lead vocals (May, 2010 - July, 2010)