Earthquake in LA-The Doors trial 2003-2008

[gizmo]

he should get a reward for that

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

One of the overwhelming Myths about this sorry saga is the idea this was just a spat with John Densmore who did not want Ray and Robby using The Doors name. Or even playing Doors songs as some of the lies that were spread stated.
Densmore came in for some vicious attacks made up of inaccuracies and downright lies many of which appeared on the official Doors forum he himself helped pay for.

The Trial went a lot deeper than that as Ray and Robby countersued John for the control of very The Doors name.
They argued in court that Densmore was denying them the right to take advantage of the many lucrative opportunities that came their way.

Ray and Robby both denied under oath that the Doors ever had a veto system where one said 'no' then the answer was 'no'.

There was an hilarious moment in the courtroom where Ray Manzarek ,who had advocated that the Doors Veto was simply a Myth perpetrated by the media, was cross examined and confronted with his own words in his own biography 'Light My Fire.' and his Myth & reality disc.
Here he had set out the very principles that governed The Doors and which he said did not exist.

From the Judgement document on page #1 of this thread.
5. Sixth Cause Of Action For Declaratory Relief

The only suggestion to the contrary about “majority rule: comes from the defendants’ post litigation statements, but their position is belied by their own words prior to litigation. On the commentary track to The Doors Collection DVD, Manzarek admits that any member of The Doors had a veto, a statement repeated in the liner notes of his own spoken word compact disc Myth & Reality:

“The Doors all had veto power. If one guy didn’t want to do something it wasn’t done. That’s the way it always worked out with The Doors. It was a four way split of all The Doors’ money, totally democratic with veto power.”

The Court rejects the assertion that this requirement was not known to Manzarek and Krieger or that the written agreements did not accurately reflect their understanding of governance. First, these were college-educated men represented by legal counsel when the written agreements were signed.



The level of lies the Manzarek camp uttered in court was quite staggering as they tried to portray Densmore as someone stuck in his 60s bubble.
They even tried to say Jim Morrison would side with them in this argument when the only instance on record showed he sided with Densmore.

So desperate was the Manzarek camp they appealed the 2005 Judgment and took it to the Supreme Court which threw it out in 2008 thus ending the whole episode.

The damage done to the Doors name was incalculable.
The effects of this are still felt today as many many Doors fans have given up the Net and many fine forums and sites have vanished as a result of all the ill feeling generated by the fallout from Manzarek's desperate lies.

I myself was accused of being the main instigator of this bad feeling that had all but wrecked the Doors Forum by the Doors manager himself on the Densmore forum.
My response was to publicly call Jeff Jampol a liar and state that I was not asking for an apology from him but demanded one on that very forum.

After John Densmore himself was given the information regarding the arguments between the pro Densmore and pro Manzarek camps that had brought so much turmoil to the Doors own forum I got just that as Jeff Jampol was forced to come cap in hand to the Densmore forum and apologise publicly for his lies and accusations against me.

Hilarious as it was to see that fool so humbled publicly it was a sad state of affairs that we had fallen so far as a community.
Today the Doors world on the Net is a very different place.
Doors Official Forums now are desolate places where members need to watch their backs and mind their ps and qs.
Not a place for people like me who have never been afraid to say my piece and back it up when required.

The Lizard Lounge or Doors Official Forum as it is now was once a wonderful place to discuss The Doors. There was a time I practically lived there, so interesting was the conversation and the fans who generated it.

Now as a result of the trial of 2003/08 all that's gone. What is left is a parody of what once was. The liar Jampol after being caught out lying about the Matrix tapes on the Doors forum finally threw out his toys and since then joining a Doors forum has become a hell of a lot harder than it was

The trial did indeed do some good as it nailed Manzarek as the liar he was and prevented him using The Doors to sell any crap with a big cheque.
Densmore to this day keeps insanity in check even if he has had the odd blip with the shoe and the rubbish film of 2009.
Doors fans should be grateful he fought the fight but sadly the battle lines will always be drawn on party lines.
Manzarek supporters hate John. Do Densmore supporters hate Ray and Robby?
Personally no. I supported John even before he started his legal action but I never hated Ray.
I can't abide the man but love the musician. Same with Robby.

That is the fallout for me that this trial has generated.
My loss of respect for all three Doors as people.
The document that won the day for Densmore showed The Doors in a different light.
We discuss it on several threads here.
Shattered forever a rose tinted view of The Doors I myself had for over 30 years.

It's a sad indictment of us as a community that we could never build that bridge. The liar Jampol promised that the Doors Forum would change and allowed all the Densmore supporters who were unjustly removed back again. But like all his promises that was another lie. It lasted about a month.

Will this generation of Doors fans ever bury the hatchet. Only in each other I am afraid.

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

This is what sealed Ray and Robby's fate both for their stealing of The Doors name and subsequently their attempt to deny Doors veto power ever existed and it had always been majority rule in business affairs.
Densmore had warned Ray he had these documents before this ever went to trial but Ray's arrogance and greed prevented his common sense from agreeing a compromise with Densmore.
The result? Ray lost millions and is condemned as a liar.

8. Morrison Decides To Leave For France
In early 1971, Morrison announced to his fellow band members that he was going to move for a short time to Paris, France with Pamela Courson. He intended to leave for Paris shortly after the band finished recording their sixth album for Elektra, L.A. Woman.

9. The DMC Partnership Agreement Entered Into In March 1971, Effective As Of January 1, 1966.

At about the time, Somer prepared a partnership agreement for the Doors, for all purposes except music publishing. In March 1971, the four members of The Doors executed their written partnership agreement, effective January 1, 1966 (hereinafter the “Old Doors Agreement”). Somer testified that he explained the “Old Doors Agreement” to the four members of The Doors, and that it reflected the way the partnership had operated by oral agreement up until the time of its execution. It provided for unanimous agreement in the management of the business of the Doors.


10. the Administration Agreement Entered Into On March 8, 1971

On March 8, 1971, in anticipation of Morrison leaving the United States, The Doors entered into an Administration Agreement with Greene, their business manager, granting him exclusive authority to enter into licensing agreements for music of The Doors. However, to avoid what had happened in 1969 with regard to the Buick Commerical incident Greene was empowered to sign agreements for television and radio commercials only after receiving the written approval of all four partners. As of the date for the execution of the Administration Agreement, no Doors music was authorized to used for radio or television commercials. Densmore, Manzarek and Krieger all testified that while Morrison was alive, The Doors did not intend to authorize use of its music in radio or television commercials.

11. Amendment To The Old Doors Partnership Agreement (March 11, 1971)
On March 11, 1971, the parties executed a one-page amendment to the Old Doors Partnership Agreement. It sets forth a specific provision prohibiting the use of the name, The Doors, by any partner upon termination of the partnership for any reason other than the death of a partner. The amendment was prompted by a concern that after L.A. Woman was delivered to Elektra, Morrison might leave the band and form another band in Europe using the name “The Doors.” Manzarek testified that he signed the one-page amendment when it was prepared but did not read it and did not understand its purpose. Somer testified that he recalled some concern about the band splintering, and that the amendment, as well as all of the band’s agreements, were explained to the band members before they signed. The court finds Somer’s testimony credible and accepts it as true.

(NOTEL Paragraph 8 of Original Old Doors Agreement. Paragraph 2 of the Administration Agreement.)

Here the Judge, Gregory Alarcon, basically calls Ray a liar after he tried to wheedle his way out of the hole he had dug for himself.
He did a very similar thing when he was confronted by Rolling Stone about suing Pamela for the money Jim owed The Doors.
For a man with two degrees and a huge amount of intelligence he seems to sign anything put before him without knowing what it is.

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

John's Anti-Commercial article in Nation

John was also reasonably consistent when it came to using The Doors name.
True he was fine using it to sell a bio but he drew the line at calling an appearance of any of the ex Doors including him The Doors as he knew that this was no longer the case.

19. Previous Objections To Being Identified As The Doors With Less Than The Three Surviving Members Of The Original Band

In December 1992, The Doors were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The ceremony was attended by the three surviving band members and Morrison’s sister Anne. The three surviving band members performed during the ceremony.

In 1997, the Robby Krieger Band scheduled a short tour in Denmark. Ray Manzarek was scheduled to be a guest musician. Manzarek became ill, however, and Densmore substituted for him. The show was billed as “Robby Krieger Band with special appearance by John Densmore of The Doors.” The following year, Robby Krieger and Densmore undertook another short music tour of Europe, and the show was billed as “Robby Krieger with John Densmore of The Doors.” At least one promoter identified the performers as The Doors. Densmore strongly objected and tore up some posters that contained the erroneous description. Later, Krieger and Manzarek performed in Mexico, and again the performance was occasionally promoted erroneously as The Doors. Posters depicting the performers as The Doors were destroyed at Densmore’s request.

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

5. The Buick Car Commerical

In 1969, The Doors experienced perhaps their most significant internal rift involving the question of whether the group should sell its music for use in a car commercial. Manzarek, Krieger, and Densmore agreed that Buick should be allowed to use the hit song, “Light My Fire” in a television commercial for a the new Buick Opel automobile. Because Morrison was unavailable for reasons never clarified during the trial, the other band members gave consent. Several days later, Morrison learned of the decision and was furious. He believed that his partners had reneged on the rule of unanimity of failing to abide by ‘one for all, all for one,’ and had “sold out” to corporate America, “the Devil.” Light My Fire at 305-307. Morrison was so angry that he threatened to destroy an Opel on stage during the group’s future performances, and insisted that Somer rescind the agreement with Buick. The commercial was never aired, and apparently the band members never received any compensation.

Morrison sought the names of other lawyers from Somer to consult about possible legal action against his partners, but never initiated any legal action. On November 11, 1970, the DMC Partnership Agreement was amended to require that any decisions about licensing music require a unanimous vote signed by all of the partners.

From 1966 to the date of Morrison’s death, the Doors were a huge success, performing throughout the United States as well as abroad, selling millions of dollars worth of albums and merchandise. An no time prior to Morrison’s death did the band formally register the name The Doors with any state or federal agency.

(NOTE: Ray Manzarek characterized this incident in his autobiography as a “fiasco.” Manzarek, Light My Fire, My Life With The Doors (Putnam’s Son, 1998 at 305)

At trial, Manzarek said Morrison also objected to the commercial because his father drove a Buick.
The testimony of various witnesses during the trial was not consistent as to whether a commercial ever aired, whether all the money was returned, whether money was paid to halt the agreement and other details as to how this commercial was stopped.


For me one this trial statement was of the cruelest lies Manzarek has told about the Buick fiasco.
When he and the others sold out the band behind his back Morrison heard this and went ballistic on them so they panicked and they lied and said Jac Holzman was to blame.
After confronting Jac and learning the truth he was now fully aware of the cut of his 'business partners' as he described The Doors from then on to his mates.
No longer 'friends'.
After Jim died the other three put about some useless lie that the problem was Morrison was not available and they could not contact him and that he was off on some drunken Jimbo binge.
He was most likely in London after the Euro tour and we never find out what lengths the other three supposedly took to find him.

So for the next 40 years Buick was not 'their' fault but Jimbo's.
At the trial Manzarek came out with the usual bullshit but compounded his betrayal by implying Jim was against the Buick gig because his Dad had driven a Buick.
Therefore at a stoke taking away Jim's principled stand that you don't sell out your art to corporations.
A stand that very few have managed to adhere to but we have no reason today to imagine Jim's view would be different.
So according to Ray, Jim was doing this to spite daddy which made Jim look a fool rather than an artist.
Manzarek has done his fair share of backstabbing Jim this last 40 years but this one was particularly nasty.

In interviews and in court he repeatedly said Jim would be backing him and Robby and would be touring with them and happy to sell out his work to Apple or anybody else with a cheque big enough.

The evidence was hugely against either case happening and when you compare the actual events to the bands documentary in 2009 you can see how warped a view of Morrison The Doors now have when it suits them.
Manzarek was desperate to include Jim Morrison in his corner and no betrayal off limits in his quest to control the band name.
Shameful

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

"Knock knock "

Judge asked: when is a Door not a Door?


THE CONTINUING SAGA OF THE Doors' re-formation has taken another twist, with the parents and in-laws of late vocalist Jim Morrison have now joined the list of those suing keyboard player Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robbie Krieger.

George and Clara Morrison are claiming that current Doors activity is "maliciously misappropriating" the band's good name, and that the poetry and image of their son Jim is being used without their permission.

Joining them is Pearl Courson, the mother of Jim's late common law wife Pamela, owner of her husband's 25% stake. Like the Morrisons, Courson has accused the current line-up of "launching a national and international tour in order to wrongfully enrich themselves", claiming that the group's name, likeness, logo, and music are being used without consent.

These developments are a blow to Manzarek and Krieger, who have brough singer Ian Astbury of The Cult into the band and are using the revised name of The Doors 21st Century. An album has already been recorded, and there are plans for an 18-month world tour. The pair are already in litigation with founding drummer John Densmore and his replacement, former Police drummer Stewart Copeland.

The lawsuit aims to prevent the quartet from referring to themselves as The Doors, "or variations of The Doors where The Doors is emphasised and the words '21st Century' are underplayed or subordinated if used at all as 'The Doors, 21st Century', 'The Doors 21st Century', 'The Doors In The 21st Century', 'The Doors Of The 21st Century' and/or 'The 21st Century Doors - . Is that clear?

Classic Rock Magazine June 2003

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

This always makes me smile


One door closes...


...And another opens as Manzarek confirms new Doors album.

KEYBOARD PLAYER RAY MANZAREK has been speaking for the first time about the fact that he and guitarist Robbie Krieger are to make a new Doors album. The band's original drummer, John Densmore, has ruled himself out due to general ill health and severe tinnitus, so Stewart Copeland, formerly of The Police, will play drums, though a recent bicycle accident has forced the band to delay their live debut. As previously reported, The Cult's Ian Astbury will take on lead vocals, attempting somewhat optimistically to fill the void left by the late Jim Morrison.

The new-look Doors will also be touring as well as making a new album, with all four members involved in the creative process.

Indeed, writing for the group's first all-new record since 1972's 'Full Circle' (recorded the year after Morrison's death, with Manzarek on vocals) has already begun.

"The music is Doors-like but new," Manzarek says. "It's different from The Doors, but decidedly Doors-like. We're going in various directions musically."

"We'll never replace Jim, but that's not the point," Krieger adds.

"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. Stewart said he'd always been a fan of The Doors, and that it would be an honour to play with us.

So he joined up. He's an exciting addition, a great player."

These unlikely developments were set in motion some years ago when Astbury sat in with the band and various other singers for a VH1 TV special.

"Ian 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," Manzarek explains. "He immediately fitted in. 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."

Classic Rock Magazine January 2003

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

Well one thing Densmore managed to do was keep his dignity
Ray sat there and told barefaced lies and played it like he was giving one of his idiotic bookstore talks.
The judge should (and could have) thrown his bony ass in jail for perjury but probably thought the sooner I am rid of this sack of shit the better. But of course it went on for 5 years with Ray and Robby refusing to accept they had been branded liars and thieves by not just a Judge but a Jury as well regardless of their puppets lies on the Doors forum.
For me John did make an honest face of it.
He never seemed to care about the money aspect and genuinely gave the two dorks a chance to just stop swiping the name and do their cover band act without The Doors or Morrison.
But Ray was too arrogant and even after Densmore told him he had a document that would kick Ray's ass (another chance to avoid the courts) Ray simply said do your worst.
And John did by revealing the amendment ray and the others had tied down Morrison with that applied equally to Ray so his dreams of Doors glory were gone as he was just a raggy arced little thief on the make.
Of course this put John in a bad light as well once it was revealed what the three did but it was obvious that Ray was the driving force behind this little piece of distrust the three gave to Morrison.
The embarrassment factor of this document resounds even today.
Not once have they mentioned this in public...any of them.
So Ray's lies in court were all for nothing as he was exposed as a shallow liar who would say anything to get his way.
It is remarkable that the Judges statement of decision, which is at the start of this thread, calls Ray a liar at least 3 times.
So Ray petulantly retired to lick his wounds and blame everybody but himself. Attacking the Judge in public did not help his cause as I am sure Judge Alarcon knew the guys who sat in final judgment on Ray in 2008 and threw out his pathetic appeal to the Supreme Court.

I don't have time for any of them anymore but JD fought a good fight for the right reasons and did it honestly even when it made him look bad.
Ray just lied and whined.

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

Possibly one of the exhibits used in the trial.
Manzarek claimed he was not using the Doors name to promote his tribute band.
The evidence contradicted his lies but his arrogance got the better of him resulting in his being destroyed in cross examination by Densmore's lawyers.

Revealed as nothing more than a sad Morrison groupie in a court where he could not hide behind his Genial Ray act he was exposed as a liar and a hypocrite and reverted to his usual stance afterwards.
Total spite attacking the Judge and his former drummer at every opportunity. Which probably pleased Oliver Stone as he got a rest from Manzarek's ire

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

22-8-2008