Ian Astbury casts a long shadow. Born in Heswall, England close to Liverpool, you could easily forget that he isn't Jim, until his English accent reminds you he isn't really Jim. The new and the old Doors fans alike know he isn't really Jim, but they don't care. It feels like the first time . again!

  If 2002-2003 begat the marriage of The Doors and the spirit of progress, then 2004? 2005 will witness the spirit of genius rise again in these musical collaborators, who have returned to the stage as part of a rebirth, not a reunion. I have witnessed the miracle of "The Doors of the 21st Century" at the House of Blues, at the Harley Davidson 100th anniversary show, and at the fabulous Kodak Theater in Hollywood to usher in 2004 on New Year's Eve.

  Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger and Ian Astbury are in their "D21C" incarnation. "We have placed strong emphasis on building new songs with lyrics that continue in The Doors 'beat' poet tradition." Hello to the new generation of poets and lyricists. Chosen by the music to speak their truths, just as Ian was chosen to sing the words. Jim Carroll. Rock poet and famous author of "The Basketball Diaries", his book was turned into a loosely autobiographical film starring a young Leonard DiCaprio. He wrote the "Book of Nods" and "The Outlaw Bible of American Poetry" and is currently working on a novel called "The Petting Zoo."

  John Doe. Writer, singer, musician, and actor, he and his wife Exene Cervenka created the band "X " in the late 70's and were responsible for bringing Country Rock alternative and Folk, with a taste of terror, into vogue.

  Henry Rollins. Henry is a sexy, hard body rock star who sang with Punk rock icon Black Flag in the early '80s. He tours the country, as the reality based no nonsense orator of our time. He owns a successful publishing company "2.13.61" the date of his birth. Henry and Rick Rubin (producer to the stars) are partners in Infinite Zero, a record company coordinating the re-releasing of deserving projects.

  Michael McClure. Born in 1932, is one of those responsible for San Francisco's literary social metamorphic known as the Beat Generation. He and Allan Ginsberg manifested the first 'Human Be' in 1967. He is a playwright, essayist, journalist, performance poet and a social innovator. Michael was in fact, Jim Morrison's poetry mentor! They were good friends.

  "How do you feel about "D21C", especially the new writers" I asked Ian. "I've got some pretty big shoes to fill" he said, "it's really encouraging this new appendage. The writing is befitting and I am happy to facilitate their desires. I am most respectful of them all" he smiled!

  The newest music is all composed by Ray and Robby, which assures me there will be plenty of hard driving blues coming our way. Song titles that express the future are "The Eagle in the Whirlpool", "American Express" and "Street of Crocodiles." Other equally compelling songs explore conceptually sonic soundscapes like "Shape Shifter" and "Just like Sherlock Holmes." The song "Who Spoke the Word" features lyrics from Robby Krieger.

  I saw three of the most recent "D21C" California shows. The first one was at The House of Blues in West Hollywood and was the scene of their "Phoenix" rising.

  For Ian, this was an exciting time, the beginnings of a new enterprise. Ian charmed us all with the prowess in which he resurrected Jim's image upon the stage, and more impressively the potency with which he reincarnated Jim's essence inside the songs! Ian was 10 years old the first time he heard The Doors on Radio Luxembourg in the UK. "Like Radio Caroline, it was very progressive" insisted Ian. "I listened to TREX on a little transistor radio my parents gave me and would tuck it under my pillow at night."

  I saw the second show at The California Speedway, being the location for the Harley Davidson 100th Anniversary "Open Road" tour. The concert headline was "They Said Rock 'n Roll Wouldn't Last Either."

  Backstage, Ian was in good spirits and commented, "The first time I became interested in The Doors was in 1978. The Doors were a rite of passage for disenfranchised young men. "Apocalypse Now" was showing at the theaters. This was before the Internet and things like that. After my mother died, I joined the army. I read "No One Gets Out of Here Alive" by Danny Sugarman. Jim Morrison was like a Patron Saint to us. Everywhere you went in England you heard The Doors."

  The third and final show was on New Years Eve at the Kodak Theatre in the heart of Hollywood. The group was rounded out with side musicians Angelo Barbera on bass and Ty Dennis on drums. The "D21C" sported a stage-wide video screen, which shouted film of the 60's . the protest marches, injustices, cultural milestones, our hero's and our collective past and shared memories. Yet . on this New Years Eve, midnight came and went with very little fanfare?? The audience is cool. You know, too cool. The deadpan enthusiasm California audiences are famous for. They clapped but they were not connected to the spirit of the music.

  From the center of the stage, Ian yelled as he looked into the audience at the world famous Kodak Theatre at Hollywood Blvd and Highland Ave. "What's wrong with you, in France and Spain they were fucking in the aisles." I would think it made him world-weary and sad for America. The freedom that The Doors and Doors music universally represents is still hard for the artless or the uninspired to comprehend. While other people don't know how to say goodbye and never want to wake up to the sad truth of eternal separation.

  Ringing in the New Year . Ian sat alone in the hospitality room. Going well into the 'wee' hours, groups of well-wishers were lined up backstage for autographs from the band. Ian sat at the table with one hand propping up his chin. It's the last night of this tour and what lies ahead "Will D21C tour again in 2004" I asked?? "Will D21C debut the new songs with a new album." Ian was cordial but oddly detached and told me "The answer is not if, but when??"