The Doors' John Densmore Writing Tell-All Book About Feud with Other Band Members

Posted on Jan 29th 2013 4:00PM by Jason MacNeil
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Central Press, Hulton Archive

The Doors' John Densmore is penning a book dealing with the legal battles he has faced with fellow bandmates Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger entitled "The Doors: Unhinged -- Jim Morrison's Legacy Goes on Trial." The book will be available on April 17 through Amazon's CreateSpace publishing platform.

According to a press release, the book deals with the recent tribulations and lawsuits Densmore has been involved in ranging from the band's name being used on tour through to Densmore being labeled a "communist, anarchist & al-Qaeda supporter."

"Holding steadfast to their progressive 1960s ideology, the members of the Doors refused to sell out and, as four equal members, agreed that their music would never be used to push cars or cigarettes," the press release says before describing Densmore nixing a $15 million offer Cadillac proposed in 2002 to the three surviving members which Manzarek and Krieger "had a hard time during down..."

In 2002, Krieger and Manzarek -- along with Police drummer Stewart Copeland and the Cult's Ian Astbury as vocalist -- formed the Doors of the 21st Century. In 2003, Densmore filed an injunction to prevent the Doors name from being used and later the parents of the late Jim Morrison joined Densmore's cause. In 2005, Densmore and the Morrison estate won a permanent injunction, leaving Manzarek and Krieger to change their name to D21C and then Riders on the Storm. Densmore was also the subject of a countersuit.

In an article Densmore wrote for The Nation, he elaborated on his stance versus the views of his bandmates when it came to The Doors' material used in commercials.

"I'm pretty clear that we shouldn't do it. We don't need the money. But I get such pressure from one particular bandmate (the one who wears glasses and plays keyboards)," the drummer wrote. "If I learned anything from Jim, it's respect for what we created. I have to pass. Thank God, back in 1965 Jim said we should split everything, and everyone has veto power. Of course, every time I pass, they double the offer!"

In December Densmore tweeted similar sentiments. "Been thinking of Jim today, and how he said he would smash a Buick with a sledgehammer on TV if we did 'Come On Buick Light My Fire'."

During the court proceedings, a lawyer representing Manzarek and Krieger reportedly described Densmore as a "communist, anarchist and & al-Qaeda supporter." That line probably has something to do with Densmore's anti-Bush protesting.

According to a Blabbermouth report in 2006 a full-page ad was taken out in the New York Times by the group World Can't Wait. The group created a petition trying to "drive out the Bush regime." Densmore, Tom Morello and System of a Down singer Serj Tankian signed the petition which also said President George W. Bush was committing criminal acts, torturing prisoners of war and imprisoning others accused of terrorist-linked activities.

So far neither Manzarek nor Krieger have commented on Densmore's new book. The duo -- who toured sporadically last year -- have confirmed an appearance at the Fly Music Festival in India in February on a bill that features Anthrax and KT Tunstall among others. The Doors released their last studio album An American Prayer in 1978, seven years after Jim Morrison was found dead in a Paris apartment.

Watch Doors' "Spanish Caravan" Video