THE DOORS ARE OPEN FOR 2003

Original keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger have reformed the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band with The Cult’s Ian Astbury as lead singer and Police drummer Stewart Copeland, and plan to both tour and record.

The band will kick off the renaissance with a special performance at the Palms in Las Vegas on Sunday, December 8. They will go on tour for selected U.S. dates next spring, and in the summer for major European and more stateside shows. The foursome plans to write and record new material for a new Doors album as well.

The decision to reunite came after the band performed on VH1’s Storytellers in 2000, and at a special Harley Davidson-sponsored event in L.A. last summer.

"The VH1 gig went so well, we decided to continue," says Krieger. "It took quite a while to put the band back together, but the seed had been planted then. When Harley Davidson called us to perform two shows, we decided the time was right. Thirty years after our last gig was long enough to wait."

At the time, Manzarek and Krieger enlisted Astbury and Copeland. Original drummer John Densmore will not take part in the reunion due to a severe tinnitus condition.

Added Manzarek: "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. We met when he performed on Storytellers, and he immediate fit in. He 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."

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."

The band’s album will feature new Doors songs written collectively by all four, who have already started working on new material.

"The music is Doors-like, but new," says Manzarek. "We’re going in various directions musically. I think the mystery and magic of The Doors will still be evident with the new band. 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 we’re playing again. I think we’ve waited long enough. It’s time to play again."

Morrison was not available for comment.