The band's 40th aniversary plans
As the Doors' surviving members prepare for the band's 40th anniversary -- with plans for a comprehensive boxed set,
reissues, merchandise and an interactive Las Vegas attraction -- there is a possibility that their music may be used in adds
for the first time.
It has almost happened in 1969, when drummer John Densmore, guitarist Robby Krieger and keyboardist Ray Manzarek agreed to
license "Light My Fire" to Buick to advertise its German-made Opel. Singer Jim Morrison, who was out of town for the meeting,
vehemently disagreed, and the deal never came to pass. From that point, Densmore has opposed commercial usage, although
Krieger and Manzarek have opened up to the possibility.
All deals, licensing and otherwise, must be approved by all partners in the Doors' assets: The three surviving members
have a 75% share, and Morrison's families and his late girlfriend, Pamela Courson, share the other 25%.
Why the change of heart now? "With older music no longer getting played on the radio and listenership fragmenting, how do
we penetrate a whole new generation?" manager Jeff Jampol asks. "Selling out the Doors is not an option, on the other hand,
certain commercials can be effective at reaching listeners."
That said, Jampol adds, "We will never license a Doors song for a mundane product like toothpaste or deodorant."
Densmore says, "There's a possibility if something came along that's very 'green' that agreed with where we're at, then
maybe" the band would consider commercial usage. But Densmore puts the emphasis on "maybe."
In addition to environmentally friendly products, Jampol says cutting-edge Internet or mobile platforms could be
contenders. For example, Densmore says the SBC Internet commercial featuring Eric Clapton is "very cool."
Densmore hates that there has been industry confusion about the Doors' position on licensing and stresses that the group
has allowed numerous movie placements ("Apocalypse Now," "Forrest Gump," "Jarhead") and TV usages ("Alias," "Entourage" and
"The Simpsons").
"People think I veto everything," Densmore says, "[but] we are open and excited by an artistic film."
The Doors 40th anniversary will be marked with a 12-disc box set due this fall via Rhino. It will pair the band's first
six studio albums -- all remastered with bonus tracks -- with six DVDs featuring 5.1 remixes of the studio albums and bonus
material. There will also be a vinyl boxed set of the first six albums and January will see two-CD versions of the albums
released individually.
Targeted to open in 2008, the Las Vegas show will be helmed by video director Jake Nava, who describes it as "a one-hour
acid trip, but you don't come down." A traveling Doors memorabilia exhibit is being planned and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
and Museum exhibit will open in April 2007.
Other plans include a documentary film directed by Bill Guttentag, a summer 2007 multi-night TV special ("Six Nights, Six
Years, Six Records") and a pair of coffee-table books ("The Doors by the Doors With Ben Fong-Torres" and "Jim Morrison:
Treasures" by Rock Hall curator Jim Henke).