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Ex-Door Lighting Their Ire - Los Angeles Times

Ex-Door Lighting Their Ire - Los Angeles Times: "Once, back when rock 'n' roll still seemed dangerous, Densmore was the drummer for the Doors, the band with dark hits such as 'Light My Fire' and 'People Are Strange.' That band more or less went into the grave with lead singer Jim Morrison in 1971, but, like all top classic-rock franchises, it now has the chance to exploit a lucrative afterlife in television commercials. Offers keep coming in, such as the $15 million dangled by Cadillac last year to lease the song 'Break On Through (to the Other Side)' to hawk its luxury SUVs.

To the surprise of the corporation and the chagrin of his former bandmates, Densmore vetoed the idea. He said he did the same when Apple Computer called with a $4-million offer, and every time 'some deodorant company wants to use 'Light My Fire.' '

The reason? Prepare to get a lump in your throat — or to roll your eyes.

'People lost their virginity to this music, got high for the first time to this music,' Densmore said. 'I've had people say kids died in Vietnam listening to this music, other people say they know someone who didn't commit suicide because of this music…. On stage, when we played these songs, they felt mysterious and magic. That's not for rent.'"

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