Doors Drummer Wins Suit Against Bandmates

The Doors Of The 21st Century have been ordered to change their name after the a permanent injunction was won by the original band's drummer.

John Densmore told Reuters he was concerned the Doors' legacy was being tarnished by its reincarnation as an oldies act.

"They're playing Doors songs and calling themselves The Doors Of The 21st Century. I kinda think it's the 19th century — it's looking back."

The Doors' original keyboardist, Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger formed the Doors Of The 21st Century along with Jim Morrison's replacement, wolf child/Cult singer Ian Astbury.

The three men have been ordered by the Los Angeles Superior Court to turn over all profits earned by The Doors Of The 21st Century to the original Doors partnership.

Densmore sued Krieger and Manzarek in early 2003 after the two went against a 1971 agreement ordering all three surviving members, as well as the Morrison estate, to sign off any use of The Doors name or logo.

"I'm very pleased that, in my opinion, the legacy is preserved," said Densmore. "I never intended for Ray and Robby to stop playing — they're great musicians. I hope Doors fans keep going to see them — it's just the name is owned by me and them and the estate of Jim Morrison, and they kinda ran off with stolen property."

Since touring as The Doors Of The 21st Century over the past few years, Densmore estimates Manzarek and Krieger have made "millions and millions of dollars" more than the original band ever made.