The Doors: Unhinged

I grew up in the 60's to the strains of not "selling out" to the man, corporate America, and it was the musicians of the era that voiced those sentiments. When the 60's were over, and the Vietnam War was over, and the sit-in's and love-in's were history, the baby boomer generation of hippies very quickly metamorphosized/mutated into the yuppies. Some of the same rock stars of the 60`s that swore they would never sell out now have, or allowed their songs to be used in advertising. So were the 60's ideals just a fad or real? Are those ideals relevant today? Doors drummer John Densmore tries to answer these questions in The Doors Unhinged: Jim Morrison's Legacy on Trial as he recounts his experience in suing Doors keyboardist and guitarist Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger for using The Doors name and logo without permission. A book or manifesto from someone of Densmore's generation on this issue is long overdue.The Doors were a group that famously didn't "sell out." Jim Morrison didn't change the lyric's of Light My Fire for the Ed Sullivan show, and when he heard the rest of the group had sold the rights to Buick to use the same song he threatened to sue the rest of the band if they didn't kill the deal and he would bring a Buick onstage and destroy it with a sledgehammer (more than a decade before Wendy O. Williams would do it in the Plasmatics) to see if Buick still wanted to use the song. Among fans, The Doors are famous for being a democratic organization, that is all four members of the group were equals and any one could veto a plan or suggestion and it wouldn't happen. This was their practice and even documented before Jim Morrison left for Paris in the spring of 1971.Unlike other rock bands of the era, The Doors had avoided the internecine battles and courtroom wars that other bands had gone through until Manzarek and Krieger decided to launch The Doors(in large type)of the 21st Century (in much smaller type)in 2002. The advertising used the logo of The Doors and pictures of Jim Morrison in the marketing of the band. Densmore stated his concerns early to Krieger who never followed through and soon The Doors found themselves in the last venue they would play as a group, in court. Soon Manzarek and Krieger would countersue Densmore for vetoing an ad for Cadillac that wanted to use "Break On Through" as a slogan (an ad that later ran with only the words `Break Through' in it with a Led Zeppelin song instead of The Doors), the sides were drawn, Densmore and the estate of Jim Morrison versus Manzarek and Krieger.The Doors Unhinged: Jim Morrison's Legacy on Trial is John Densmore's telling of the events in and around the trial. It isn't a question by question transcript of the trial in legalese (such as Lenny Bruce got caught up in at the end of his career), but a highly accessible narrative of the highpoints of the trial plus what was going on in Densmore's head surrounding the trial. At certain points the writing of the trial is riveting. Some of things we learn in The Doors Unhinged is that Stewart Copeland played a key part in Densmore's case, that when Jim's father testified that most of his testimony was his resume and status as a retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, and he disapproved of those trying to use his son's image without permission. It seems the Manzarek/Krieger legal team didn't think it would help their case to try and discredit a man with those credentials. We learn that Jim Morrison had added a clause to their contract with their business manager stipulating that The Doors' songs couldn't be used in advertising without the written consent of all four members of the band.A couple of things that stand out there are some anachronistic errors in the book at one point Manzarek/Krieger's lawyer asked Densmore about the late Michael Jackson owning and selling to advertising The Beatles catalogue, but Michael Jackson wasn't dead at the time of the 2003 trial. In the midst of the book is a chapter and half of Densmore's political philosophy and beliefs (and as much as I agree with them) which seem a bit tedious and add nothing to our understanding of the trial or the issues involved in it. It also seems anachronistic speaking more to our current political situation as opposed to the 2003 political situationOne of Densmore's stated goals in publishing The Doors Unhinged: Jim Morrison's Legacy on Trial is that he hopes the last chapter will be a healing letter to his "musical brothers." Will Ray and Robby read Densmore's last chapter? I don`t know. Will it have the effect Densmore says he is looking for? Again, I don't know, but there are a lot of reasons in The Doors Unhinged: Jim Morrison's Legacy on Trial to read this book whether you're a Doors fan or a rock fan in general. It is an intimate look inside a rock band and the dynamics that drive not only a band but individuals. You're free to judge the members of The Doors based on their words and actions, through the prism of Densmore's viewpoint. But The Doors Unhinged should also bring up questions in the reader's mind such as what is the goal and message of an artistic work, is the song in itself the message, or is the message what a corporation wants you to hear in one of their advertisements?Jim Cherry writes The Doors Examiner.

Coincidentally, while reading this entertaining book, I found myself one day sitting right behind a huge, gas-guzzling Cadillac Escalade at a stop light. I was immediately transported to the well-described courtroom scenes in this book.Part of the book is about Manzarek and Krieger who both wanted to use a Doors song in a Cadillac Escalade commercial and get paid $15 million (split 4 ways). However, based on principle, Densmore says, NO.Each member of The Doors had veto power. And, even though Jim Morrison is dead, his spirit is alive and well in this courtroom story with Densmore 100% behind him. It's refreshing to know that Densmore is not a sellout, especially in the materialistic, money-loving world that we live in today.There is such a thing as having "too much" money." If someone has, for instance, 5 million in the bank, a nice house and nice car, isn't that enough?! If Jim Morrison was alive today, I can't even imagine him behind the wheel of an Escalade (he was a Mustang Fastback kind of guy during his short life). He was a famous rock n' roll singer who chose to live in a MOTEL at times, and in his last year or so of life, wore railroad pants. It's highly doubtful he would have sold a Doors song to big corporate America for millions and millions in order to seduce consumers into signing on the line for a monstrosity of a vehicle. If he was alive and BROKE, ok, maybe he might have to consider it, but each living member of The Doors is VERY comfortable and they DON'T NEED $15 million, and the estate of Jim Morrison doesn't need $15 million either.Densmore brings to light how defense attorneys operate with their courtroom antics, how they get things wrong that result in a comedy show, you'll chuckle every now and then. He touches on the fact that going through a lawsuit creates stress, and shows the "true colors" of defendants in this case. Manzarek and Krieger countersue Densmore for $40 million. Densmore isn't even worth this kind of money. Yet, this is what so-called "brothers" from the 1960's do to a fellow member of the group. Unfortunately, now, when I listen to Manzarek's phenomenal keyboard playing, I have to push unpleasant thoughts about him from my mind. And Krieger was just along for the ride for his own reasons.Densmore sprinkles the story with tidbits about Jim Morrison. And now I finally know who Jim Morrison actually called and spoke to before he passed away-his last call to one of the Doors. Finally, the truth comes out.I also learned that Manzarek "embellished" stories which I suspected when I read his book' Light My Fire.' Manzarek actually admits under cross-examination to making stories up. So if you ever read Manzarek's book, take it with a grain of salt.I enjoyed reading Densmore's honest and insightful book and I think any Doors fan will enjoy it, too. It's fast-paced, well-written, and a quick read. I read it in two nights. There are photos included. One I hadn't seen before of Jim Morrison as a teenager with his father and brother. By the way, the first time Densmore meets Jim's father for the very first time is at the trial.

I liked it because of the honesty of the author and how he shows he hasn't lost any ethics even having gotten to the top.More than a story one example of integrity until the end.

Poco hay que decir cuando se trata de un artículo dirigido a seguidores fans del grupo. Libro recomendable para quien disfruta con material del grupo.

The truth is out thereJohn Densmore was the drummer of the legendary band, the Doors.When I was younger much of what was written about him was very negative. After reading this book, I have flipped my opinion and now suspect the previous views were fostered by Ray Manzarek.The book itself describes that the band had an agreement. All four members had veto rights on all decisions. And after Jim's death that continued for many years, equally they had veto rights on The Doors name and the symbols used etc.Ray Manzarek often tried to approve advert deals, IE songs used in adverts and John blocked them every time and Robby sat on the fence. At one point, Cadillac offered 18 million for the use of one song!John refused it anyway on principle that it would diminish what Jim and the band had created.So eventually, Ray and Robby went out touring under the title of the Doors. John objected, and they slightly adjusted the title, but only slightly. So he took out litigation to force them to change the band name to not be Doors related. In turn, they took him to court for $40 million for lost revenue because he kept blocking advert money.This story is mainly about that case, the ins and out and the idea that an artists work has more value than merely money, or does it?I tend to agree with John on this. I am a big Doors fan, and I don’t want “Light my Fire” advertising matches or cigarettes or, frankly, anything as it would spoil the image in my head of that song. Or, in fact, any of their songs.It is interspersed with his life since the Doors. He has become more of a hippy now than then. He tithes his money to charities, supports groups that need help and seems to believe not in money but the rights of the people.And to think, I always thought Ray was the good guy, but he seems to be in it for the cash. An accusation thrown at him by Jim also all those years ago.

Growing up I was constantly hearing the lesson of the 60's - we're all one, love the Earth, love your brother. This is the story of a pair of men who forgot this mantra and one who stood up for it.The Doors have been one of my favourite bands for a long time. They were great musicians, led by an iconic symbol of the dark edge of 60's Flower Power.Here John Densmore tells the story of the death of the myth. Where friends fall out over money and try to co-opt the legacy of their leader. A man greedy for money, the one mystical about what The Doors, and Jim Morrison, stood for; the self appointed Keeper of the Flame.Thus us well written and paced. It doesn't feel like a dry story of a legal battle but a story that tells of betrayal, lies and greed. At the centre of the story is Densmore desire to retain desire to protect the legacy and Manzarack's desire to milk it for every penny he can.I was constantly suspicious of Ray's recollections of Jim and their work. It also seemed to show him in the best light and raise his profile above all. Now we see that he wanted to keep the cash rolling in because he put the acquisition of wealth over all else.

The issues of retaining artistic integrity rather than selling out are fully explored here. Densmore felt a moral obligation to prevent the Doors’ extraordinary and otherworldly music being used in soulless and tacky car commercials or being associated with second rate imposters attempting to emulate the talent and charisma of Jim Morrison who always cared about the art before the money.