So, “The Doors” are coming to Sioux City’s Orpheum next month. Not really. Actually, the band that is playing there is The Doors of the 21st Century (although you wouldn’t know that from the Argus today). It consists of keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robbie Krieger, who were in the original band, together with vocalist Ian Astbury (of The Cult) and a drummer and well-recognized studio bassist, both of whom have played in Doors tribute bands.
This “21st Century” version of the band has not been without controversy. But legal matters aside, no matter how much Astbury might try to look and sound like Jim Morrison, he ain’t. And no doubt Manzarek and Krieger are excellent musicians and Morrison was the band’s biggest liability prior to his death. The fact remains, though, that if it ain’t got Morrison, it ain’t The Doors.
While I am a fan of the Orpheum and the myriad entertainment opportunites it presents, I can’t see plunking down $37 to $55 for ersatz recreations of The Doors.
“So marijuana is illegal and alcohol is not. Shit-faced drunk versus pothead hippie. Mean, drunken, wife-beating, car-wrecking, child-abusing, fighting, swearing, brawling, puking alcoholic is allowed to buy booze at the corner liquor store. But flower-child hippie can be thrown in jail for a joint. It doesn’t make any sense today and it didn’t make any sense in the sixties.”
Ray Manzarek, Light My Fire: My Life with The Doors
