I've seen The Back Doors four times. I saw THE Doors once, in 1968, and nothing can duplicate the experience. NOTE: See "The Doors: Re-visited" in my link to previous articles (bottom of page). That reality is gracefully acknowledged by members of a good tribute band. Replacement or exploitation is not on their agenda. Rather, they honor those who have inspired them by imitation, the proverbial "sincerest form of flattery". The intent is to foster a semblance of nostalgic re-creation for those of us who witnessed The Doors first-hand. And to part the curtains of an era past...just far enough to allow the present generation a peek. In my opinion, The Back Doors succeed. But initially, I was skeptical... OK--
I was downright resentful! A
So I found myself sitting off to one side of the
stage, petulantly
Particularly when I detected the shiver of anticipation crawl through the crowd-- Then, the hushed suspense as the lights dimmed... and the eerie familiarity of keyboard notes. I put down my beer. And my jaw dropped. The audience erupted in wild abandon. And I lost it... What did I lose? My resentment. My predjudice. How greedy I would have been, how presumptuous not to share the ecstatic music of "my" era. And how impossible to shield myself against the magic of the young musicians' superb renderings. Tears stung my eyes... and I smiled. Vocalist Jim Hakim was captivating. I abandoned
my beer and took to a dance floor alive with generations enmeshed,
It was all good.
"I grew up listening to 'classic
rock' so I was introduced and influenced by The Beatles, Zeppelin, Hendrix,
Clapton, The Who, ELP, and all the others early on. As I keyboard
player, I appreciated The Doors especially for Ray Manzarek's work and
have since learned much by emulating his style."
#2 When was The Back Doors formed? "The Back Doors started in 1980.
It was the first tribute band, and the first band without an album to tour
coast to coast."
#3 Do you perform in any other bands or have other music-related projects? "We all have our own outside projects.
Jim and I both have home studios and independantly write and record our
own music. Danny and I play in a 'local' cover band at home when
we are not on the road."
#4 I have also seen Hendrix and Cream in concert and immensely enjoyed your covers. At what point did you incorporate these into your performances? (add any details) "Thank you. Mostly, it is a
change of pace, for both the audience and for us onstage. It gives the
'band' a chance to step out from behind The Doors for a few moments and
jam. When I joined the band, Jim asked me if I would be interested
in doing something without him onstage for a song or two. The Hendrix and
Cream songs are from the same genre and I think fit nicely in the set."
#5 Do you write/perform any original material as The back Doors? (as opposed to performing such in other bands) "We don't write or perform originals
as The Back Doors. People come to see us for the Doors show - obviously,
you can no longer see The Doors - so that is what we give them - thats
is what we do. Personally, i have never given it much thought.
If there was a demand for it, perhaps we would give it a shot. My
main concern would be feeling like I was 'cashing in' if we put out an
original album that sounded like The Doors. Would people expect us to
sound like them or would they accept whatever we happened to come up with?
#6 Do you have an unusual or outstanding "happening" to relate from a particular performance? Something which really stands out in your mind? "That is a rough one....I've done
so many shows that the unusual has become the norm.
#4 Is the spoken word portion of your concerts Jim's creation and does it vary? "The poetry is Jim's (Hakim) ....
He has certain ones that he favors, or that fit certain songs in the show.
Every so often he comes off with something completely out of left field
that I haven't heard before. Cracks me up every time. For more he'll have
to elaborate himself."
Well, while Howie attempts to lure Jim into the interview, I'll give you this tidbit to savor: "Nobody really understood what he was all about, the complex personality, his intelligence, all those things. He was so unusual and off the wall compared to everybody else, and the band was so different, the way they played. They didn't play to show off, they played together like nobody else did." ~Jim Hakim on "The Morrison Mystique" (excerpt
from PeaceFrog, 1995)
Yes, The Back Doors have a fan club... complete with newsletter. (Details on website) Here's another interesting quote from PeaceFrog: "I started playing when I was about sixteen. My influences are really diverse. I grew up listening to keyboard heroes like Keith Emerson, Jon Lord, Rick Wakeman, Elton John. A lot of progressive rock stuff... A lot of song writing and piano oriented stuff. I was always into classical as well. Everything from Heavy Metal to Folk, whatever. I have an eclectic record collection, so I kind of steal from everybody equally." ~Howie Evan Hmmmm... Wonder where Jim wandered off
to--
#1 What are your feelings about Jim Morrison as a performer, writer, and person? "A naturally gifted writer since
childhood with words and musical feeling that seemed to flow from him,
even though he never had any previous experience or training in music.
He didn't need to show off with exaggerated mannerisms and motions rehearsed
beforehand. He was just what you saw - the same on or offstage.
Great charisma and presence, but a
#2 What do you hope to communicate to the audience about him and about The Doors in general? "I hope to communicate the SINCERE
DEEP expression with no phoniness of Jim and The Doors."
#3 Do you have any special rituals to prepare yourself emotionally, just before going on stage? "Just thinking and staying quiet
before going onstage."
#4 Is the spoken word portion of your concerts your creation and does it vary? (details much appreciated here!) "The spoken words are totally mine and have varied greatly over the years. I have written many words, poems, and ideas for over 15 years - then some of it was stolen one night in Detroit in 1996. I need to motivate myself again, but am still writing." NOTE (by Howie): "Someone snuck into our dressing
room while we were onstage in Detroit.
In summation, I'm grateful to have discovered that flesh n' blood, down to Earth folks possess the ability to transport the willing to a faraway illusion, a parallel precipice in Time.. if only for a fleeting glimpse.
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