The band that helped popularize gothic rock will be recreated in tribute on December 1 and 2 at the OWA Theater in Foley.
The Doors, featuring Jim Morrison, broke up 50 years ago following the unexplained death of Morrison, lead singer, harmonica player and rock-an-roll bad boy.
OWA describes the show as follows:
“Prepare to step back in time to the era of free love, counterculture, and iconic rock 'n' roll as ‘The Ultimate Doors - A Tribute to The Doors’ takes the stage at OWA Theater on December 1 and 2, both nights at 7 PM. This electrifying tribute show promises an unforgettable journey into the magnetic world of The Doors, one of the most legendary bands in music history.
“Experience the essence of Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore like never before, as The Ultimate Doors recreate the iconic sound and mesmerizing energy of the original band. From "Light My Fire" to "Riders on the Storm" and every classic hit in between, you'll be transported to the psychedelic 1960s with spot-on renditions of these timeless songs.
"’The Ultimate Doors - A Tribute to The Doors’ is not just a concert; it's a celebration of the music that shaped a generation and continues to inspire audiences today. Whether you're a die-hard fan who lived through the era or a new generation eager to discover the magic of The Doors, this tribute show promises an authentic and captivating experience that will leave you spellbound. Grab your tickets now for a night of rock 'n' roll history and unforgettable memories.”
Details and tickets can be found here.
The Doors wrote, recorded and performed songs with a dark edge, a strange and unsettling undercurrent. It has since been referred to as gothic, prog (progressive), psychedelic, counter-culture and underground.
The Doors' motif never caught on in Alabama, except for their greatest hits: "Light My Fire," "Riders on the Storm" and "Love Her Madly."
Frontman and lead vocalist Morrison produced a bonus show that was not advertised in concert promotions – erratic on-stage behavior that occasionally got him arrested or not invited back.
Those Morrison act-outs will not be part of the show at OWA. The sound of The Doors will be recreated, but not the Morrison shenanigans.
The Doors were featured on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1967. They had agreed to change the drug-suggesting repeated lyric "higher" in the smash hit, "Light My Fire" but sang it anyway. Sullivan promptly canceled six additional Doors appearances.
You know that it would be untrue
You know that I would be a liar
If I was to say to you, girl we couldn’t get much higher.
Come on baby light my fire. Come on baby light my fire.
Try to set the night on……fire.
Twenty years after Morrison's death, a full-length film, "The Doors" was screen-written and produced by Oliver Stone. Val Kilmer played and sang the part of Morrison. The film sparked a revival of interest, bringing The Doors to a new generation. The movie's soundtrack entered the rock and roll charts along with the re-entry of two of their albums after a 20-year absence.
Controversy continued to follow The Doors even after Morrison's death and the band's first disbandment in 1973.
In 2002, two of the original Doors teamed with other musicians to form "The Doors of the 21st Century." Lawsuits followed about the rights to the Doors' name, and the new group changed its name to "Riders on the Storm," the title of one of the Doors' biggest hits. That name, too, had ownership rights. The group disbanded.
The Alabama performance will be the 30th anniversary of the 1993 induction of the Doors into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The OWA Theater is located at 105 S OWA Blvd, Foley, AL 36535-6509, just off the Foley Beach Express.
The time to hesitate is through
No time to wallow in the mire
Try now we can only lose
And our love become a funeral pyre.
Jim Zeigler is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com
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