The Doors Forum

Hey Vince

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I'm unfortunitly not old enough to have seen the Doors live. I have caught Ray and Robbies new band on two occasions and thought they where AMAZING. Although after both shows I was kinda thinking how better it would of been with Jim and John there.

Now for my question (it will probaly explode into ten so please bare with me )

Would you have liked to have been involved with the new Riders?

Do you think Jim would approve of the new band?

Was interesting to read in one of your posts that the trio where already talking of a realese without Jim before they had finished LA Woman.

Do you think John should get involved with their new album?

From what you've posted about different events. I think you should of been there manager. You played such a big part in holding things together. Would like to thank you you've contributed to their sound

I hope you have a chance to reply thanks for giving me a chance to ask a question(s).

Dougs

Well you have some interesting questions.

As for New Riders involvement I have mixed feelings. I would like to work with the group as I did so long ago. I remember those boys with good times, mutual respect and consideration.

HOWEVER - They are not now, the Doors. The arrangements of the original music is not the same and the new music is definitely a long way from the concept, presentation and execution that obtained during the existance of the original group. I do not include the presence, or lack thereof, of Jim. A replacement could be found for him without any trouble at all. The current figurehead is certianly not a replacement by any description. I am afraid the the base answer to your question - No.

Would Jim Approve. I am afraid that I eather have to refuse to answer or give an answer that will shock you. I choose that latter to give you some feelings of my post mortem thoughts about Jim.

Personally, I do not give one healthy damn about what Jim would approve of. Jim is no one to judge any musician or group. His interest in the Doors was intitially a novelty then a forum for his desire for the spotlight and do promote his "Philosophy" of experimentation - Break on through. His opinion of the present group would be given as a former singer who was untimately bypassed at best (Even before the completion of LA Woman) and dismissed at worst.
I will not consider speculation on what Jim thinks about anything. First he is dead and second, his opinions and actions would be based on envy, jealousy, and a drug saturated mind.

As a result of Miami, Isle of Wright, several other very poor performances and finally New Orleans, the Boys had just about enough of Jim and his antics. He was a liability, A fat, sloppy, unrelaible, ugly, distracted, disinterested shadow of his former self. His public statements and his actions made it clear that he was not really interested in continuing with the band.

Ray, John and Robbie made the decision that they either had to end their careers or to step abck and regroup. Since being "Rock Stars" was their source of income, they really did not have a lot of choice if they wanted to continue or imporve their life style - which they did.

So while before New Orleans, there was talk of dumping Jim, after New Orleans the decision become mroe action than words. Jim was present with the groups only when necessary to do the work on LA Women. The boys had plenty of time to formulate, research and impliment the development and organization of the tour and group that performed on it.
Remember that they were quite intimately involved with Bruce Botnick at that time and he insured his participation by encouraging them to record the whole event.

Let me give you a clue as to how far ahead the planning was - When we returned from New Orleans, I was instructed by Bob Greene, (Never by Bill Siddons) to get all the equipment into perfect shape and put it away. I was to be laif off effective the first of January, 1971. BUT NO NOT TAKE ANY PERMANENT JOB. I could use the equipment to do shows for other groups, I could do any work I wanted. I would receive unemployment benefits But - Do Not Take a Permanent Job.

What does that tell you?

As for John and his perticipation in the present group. It is a sad day that John and the Cursons, on the one hand, and Ray and Robbie on the other have had a serious falling out that has ended in court action. John was already offended by comments Ray made in his book insinuating that John was a prime mover in the action to eliminate Jim from the group. I hardly believe that. they all participated in that as a move for self preservation. Regardless, John was very angry over this allegation and stopped all association with Ray.
Personally, I am very sad to have the Boys estranged voer mere words. Moreso over the name of a group - though I must agree that the present group resembles or represents the original group only in the performance of lyrics of orginal music. Beyond that there is no semblance of reality. I certainly would prefer that John was playing with Ray and Robbie. They belong together, they worked together to make that former group great and perhaps they could do so again.

As for my being manager - well we can say in hindsight that certainly things would have been a lot diferent. I certainyl would not have been so arrogant as the Manager of choice nor would I have taken so many pains to alienate so many people. I would not have used the Doors as a stepping stone out of a sense of loyalty, if not integrity.

I made a bid for the Managers position. I have written that story and I believe that it has been posted on the Bootlegs site. the boys made a choice to have me as their technician because I made certain that equipment failure and stage chaos became a thing of the past. They were sure that when they went on stage that the performance would be flawless as far as equipment was concerned. I am sure that they would have been happier if I had the same control over Jim.

So I was put in the position of Road Manager for the glory of the title. Bill was requested and required to be present at every performance and to take care of the duties normall assigned to the Road Manager - in a normal company the title would be Assistant Manager or Vice President. In a rock group is carried the same wieght of succession and responsibilities. Bill, in his paranoia and jealousy made abslutely certain that I was kept as far outside the "Inside Events" that I could not, in any way take over if he were seriously ill or injured. He even had the extension phone from the main office line that was downstairs disconnected to that when he was not in the office, and I was on week-ends, I could not answer the phone and talk to anyone important. I had my own private line, which people who were iomportant also had - I made sure of that. Bill did not have the brains to consider that people can find alternative ways to communicate if they want. So he was sure I was totally ignorant of what was going on and I was talking to a lot of people about what was going on.

So there you, and many other, have it.

Does Jim approve? I really feel I had better not answer that to the extent or in the language that I am tempted to use. Your computer would suffer a melt-down.

Thanks for being a patron of tis forum and we hope you will retun again. You make it worthwhile.

Vincent Treanor III
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Vince
Road Manager
The Doors