Press Release Source: The Doors The Doors Continue the Legend in 2003 Thursday November 14, 4:58 pm ET The Doors Announce All-Star Lineup of Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, Ian Astbury and Stewart Copeland Band Kicks Off With Live Performance at the Palms in Las Vegas on December 8 and Has Plans to Tour and Record New Music in 2003 LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 2002-- The Doors, icons of pop culture and musical rock legends, have announced plans for the new millennium and the group's new launch and lineup in 2003. Original keyboardist Ray Manzarek and lead guitarist Robby Krieger will be joined by lead vocalist Ian Astbury (The Cult) and drummer Stewart Copeland (The Police) to form the new all-star lineup of the legendary band. Touring and recording again for the first time since the death of lead vocalist Jim Morrison, The Doors will be on the road for selected U.S. dates next spring and in the summer for major European and U.S. tours. They will also be writing and recording material for a new Doors album. The kick-off to the new renaissance of the band will be marked by a special, intimate performance at The Palms in Las Vegas on Sunday, December 8. The band's decision to reunite came together after performing on "VH1's Storytellers" in the fall of 2000, and more recently, a special Harley Davidson event in Los Angeles earlier this year. "The VH1 gig went so well, that we decided to continue," says Krieger. "It took quite a while after our appearance on `VH1 Storytellers' to put the band back together, but the seed had been planted then." Continues Krieger, "When Harley Davidson called us to perform two shows on their birthday celebration tour, we decided the time was right for this. Thirty years after our last gig was long enough to wait." Manzarek and Krieger then found replacements for the band's lead vocalist, with Ian Astbury, and drummer, with Stewart Copeland. At this time, original drummer, John Densmore, will not be re-joining the band due to a severe tinnitus condition. "Ian Astbury had always expressed a desire to perform with The Doors, saying that if we ever take it on the road, he wanted to be a part of it," says Manzarek. "We met Ian when he performed on `Storytellers' with us, and he immediately fit in." Adds Manzarek, "Ian is his own man singing Doors songs. He's got that Shamanic power and sense of danger about him that is so Morrison-esque, without being an imitation of Jim Morrison." Adds Krieger, "We'll never replace Jim, but that's not the point. Ian is bringing his own interpretations of our music to the stage while, at the same time, giving off a vibe that is very similar to Jim's." On drums, Krieger and Manzarek asked one of rock's finest, Stewart Copeland, to join them. "Stewart said he'd always been a fan of The Doors, and that it would be an honor to play with us -- so he joined up." Adds Krieger, "Stewart is an exciting addition; he's a great player." After the band's initial launch at The Palms in Vegas, the band will hit the road this summer for major European and nationwide U.S. tours (dates and venues TBA). "I think the fans who come to hear us will hear Doors songs played with a power, a passion and a precision that they may not have seen before," says Manzarek. "I would imagine that many of the people who come to see us now have not seen The Doors in the original incarnation. For us, this is very exciting," he adds. The forthcoming album in 2003 will feature new Doors songs written collectively by Manzarek, Krieger, Astbury and Copeland. All four will be involved in the creative songwriting process for the new album and have already begun writing new material. Says Manzarek, "The music is Doors-like but new. It's different from The Doors, but decidedly Doors-like. We're going in various directions musically. "I think the mystery and magic of The Doors music will still be evident with the new band," says Manzarek. "I think Jim would be thrilled with this. We're going to be playing and singing Jim's lyrics 30 years after he died. He would be ecstatic. He'd be the first one to say, `go out and do it.' Jim just wanted everybody to listen to the words." Adds Krieger, "I think Jim would be happy that we're playing again. I think we've waited long enough. It's time to play again." Contact: Rogers & CowanSandy Friedman, 310/201-8809Lori Lousararian, 310/201-8804Deborah Keith, 310/201-8842